Most food events I’ve attended has had a charity partnership component. The ones I previewed in my Fall Food Festivals and Events post benefit a variety of charities. While I’m sure the causes involved appreciate the financial support, occasionally the awareness component falls by the wayside. Some events, like Plate by Plate, do devote time to allow the charity partner to address attendees en masse, to make people more aware of the causes they’re helping to support with their price of admission.
One of the more popular food events that’s been very successful at raising awareness for its cause is LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade, which benefits Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The event grew directly out of the participation of hosts Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne (of Lucques Group) and David Lentz (of Hungry Cat) in the foundation’s Great Chefs event in Philadelphia. Obviously, creating an event specifically to support a charity is more effective than finding a charity to go with an existing event. Since 2010, LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade has raised over $2 million for ALSF.
Elise Thompson of The LA Beat has a nice preview piece on this year’s LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade, taking place on September 12, 2015. Rather than reinvent the wheel, I have Elise’s permission to reprint her article here:
Hurry Up and Get Your Tickets to LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade Before They Sell Out!
Photo Credit: The Los Angeles Beat
It’s the busiest time of the year for food events, and it’s understandable that they might all seem to run together. But Alex’s Lemonade has a special place in our hearts. Everyone’s enthusiasm is contagious, from the chefs to the guests to the mixologists. The event carries on the spirit of Alexandria “Alex” Scott, a little girl with cancer whose front yard lemonade stand, started when she was only four, grew into a foundation that raised over a million dollars during her lifetime. The foundation continues hosting lemonade stands large and small in her name. LA Loves Alex ‘s Lemonade is definitely on the larger end of the spectrum, with world-renowned chefs and mixologists pitching in to raise money for children’s cancer research. Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne and David Lentz return annually to host and invite chef friends to pitch in.
LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade takes place Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 12-4pm at UCLA’s Royce Quad. Over 50 of the nation’s best chefs will be participating. One of our favorite things about Alex’s Lemonade is that chefs represent from all over the nation, with John Besh and Donald Link from New Orleans, Giada De Laurentiis of Vegas, plus chefs from Seattle, Portland, New York, Chicago and Boulder. Of course we are kind of partial to some of the local favorites, like Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec), Ray Garcia (Broken Spanish, B.S. Taqueria), Roy Choi (Kogi BBQ), Michael Cimarusti & Tristan Aitchinson (Connie & Ted’s, Providence), Susan Feniger (Mud Hen Tavern), Michael Fiorelli & Rebecca Merhej (Love & Salt), Scott Conant & Freddy Vargas (Scarpetta), Neal Fraser (redbird, BLD, ICDC, Fritzi Dog), Bruce Kalman (Union, Amano Pasta Bar & Market), David LeFevre (MB Post, Fishing with Dynamite, The Arthur), Steve Samson (Sotto), and Michael Voltaggio (ink). In addition, guests can enjoy tastings from over 47 wineries along with craft cocktails prepared by mixologists Eric Alperin, Neal Bodenheimer, Dona Bridges, Beau du Bois and Martin Daraz.
Alex’s Lemonade is the most family-friendly event of the year, with lots of children’s games and activities. Children under 12 years of age are free with paying adult, and do not need to register for the event. Many of the chefs bring their own children, making the day like one big family picnic. One other hallmark of Alex’s Lemonade is their special live and silent auctions of exclusive experiences, like having world-class chefs cook and serve a private dinner party in your own home. Tickets are only $195 and are tax-deductible. Buy your tickets now as they usually sell out!
I’m attending my first LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade on the 12th, and I’ll be sure to file a post-event report! If you can make it, listen to Elise and buy tickets before they’re sold out! You’ll be supporting a great cause while enjoying amazing food by talented chefs from Los Angeles and beyond.
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