And just like that, LA Loves Alex's Lemonade came and went, but not without a generous helping of fanfare only fitting of what has come to be known as LA's best food event. Though it was a scorcher of a day, free flowing lemonade from, well, Lemonade kept lucky attendees cool at UCLA's gorgeous Royce Quad. Here are some highlights:
- Celebrities were out in full force supporting the cause. Guests found themselves unwittingly rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jimmy Kimmel, Max Greenfield, Ty Burrell, and Nolan Gould.
- Unlike other major LA food festivals, there was a plethora of food options, with little to no lines for even the most notable of booths.
- While all chefs were extremely generous with their offerings, hosts Suzanne Goin and David Lentz had some of the more lavish plates, with Goin serving substantial helpings of porchetta with salsa verde and Lentz freshly shucking sea urchin along with a full raw bar.
- Roy Choi was in his element with his Kogi truck on full display. Props to the approachable chef for slinging tacos until the very end.
- Along with Roy Choi, Suzanne Goin, David Lentz, and Caroline Styne, other local chefs included Michael Cimarusti, Neal Fraser, Ludo LeFebvre, Zoe Nathan, Michael Voltaggio, and Kris Yenbamroong.
And most importantly, so far Alex's Lemonade has raised over $100 million to help fund pediatric cancer research. Moving words from host Suzanne Goin, Alex's parents, and young cancer survivors grounded the afternoon in the purpose of the benefit. Although tickets prices were steep, the cause (let alone the abundance of unbelievable bites from some of the county's best chefs) certainly made them worthy. If you weren't able to make it, consider donating here, or be sure to make it out next year.
