California Spirit XXII

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Few super chefs have rallied other chefs to charity causes as well as the team of Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff. In 1994, the James Beard Foundation gave them a Humanitarian of the Year award for their work. They are responsible for the annual American Wine & Food Festival which benefits Meals on Wheels. And, if you are lucky enough to be in Southern California this weekend, get one of the few remaining tickets for California Spirit XXII charity event, which supports that American Cancer Society. Now in it's 22th year, the gala helps raise money for cancer research. Wolf, Barbara and Hollywood powerhouse Sherry Lansing will host the event at a Brentwood estate. Barbara told Superchefblog: Sherry Lansing came on board a year or two after it started. She has a great deal of clout and was very influential in bringing in more folk. But it is primarily a foodie event. The volunteers work very hard." What else separates this charity gala from others besides its lofty aims? How about the participation of just about every important chef who hail from Los Angeles' best restaurants? This year participating chefs include: super chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Gino Angelini of Angelini Osteria, Sean Hardy of Belvedere, Neal Fraser of Grace, Michael Cimarusti of Providence, Josie LaBalch of Josie, Josiah Citrin of Melisse, Govind Armstrong of Table 8, restaurateur Piero Selvaggio of Valentino, and several chefs from the Puck-Lazaroff empire -- Luis Diaz of Chinois, Matt Bencivenga of Vert, and Lee Hefter and Sherry Yard of Spago. Barbara told Superchefblog that each year they have to outdo the last, and this year continues the great tradition. Previous articles: Ultimate Dinner Party Wolf's Oscar Party: Menu & Food Photos Wolf's Oscar Party: Prep Photos Wolf's Oscar Party: Room Photos Chef-Crashing Into Oscars Requiem for Granita Romancing the Stove - or The Way We Worked? Wolf Wines & Dines, or Puck's Party [Chefs & Charity - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging --> back to superchefblog