American Wine and Food Festival

[southern girl]

My absolute foodie event for charity is coming up at the backlot at Universal Studios on Sept. 28. The American Wine and Food Festival sponsored by the Puck Lazaroff Charitable Foundation helps support Meals on Wheels of Los Angeles.

Chefs participating in this year's event are: Wolfgang Puck; Larry Forgione- An American Place, NYC; Michael Mina- Aqua, SF and Las Vegas; Lydia Shire & Susan Regis- Biba, Locke-Ober, Boston; Charlie Palmer- Aureole, NYC & Las Vegas; Robert Del Grande and Ben Berryhill- Cafe Annie, Houston; Luis Diaz- Chinois on Main, LA; Nancy Silverton and Mark Peel- Campanile & La Brea Bakery, LA; Mark Miller-Coyote Cafe & Red Sage, Las Vegas & Santa Fe; Kerry Hefferman- Eleven Madison Park, NYC; Tom Colicchio- Gramercy Tavern, Craft, Craftsteak, NYC & Las Vegas; Jennifer Naylor- Granita, Malibu; Paul Prudhomme-K-Pauls Louisiana Kitchen, New Orleans; Bradley Ogden- Lark Creek Inn, One Market, SF; Eric Ripert- Le Bernadin, NYC; Nobu Matsuhisa-Matsuhisa & Nobu, LA NYC et al; Todd English- Olives, NYC, Las Vegas et al; Joachim Splichal- Patina, LA; Francois Payard- Payard Patisserie & Bistro, NYC;Jimmy Schmidt- The Rattlesnake Club, Detroit; Alan Wong- Alan Wong's, Honolulu; Stephan Pyles, Dallas;Lee Hefter- Spago, Beverly Hills Floyd Cardoz- Tabla, NYC; Lissa Doumani & Hiro Sone- Terra, St. Helena; Sam Leong- Tung Lokgroup, Singapore; Thorsten Leighty- Twist, Hollywood; Rocco DiSpirito- Union Pacific, NYC; Piero Selvaggio- Valentino LA & Las Vegas; Vincent Guerithault- Vincent's on Camelback, Phoenix; Jonathan Waxman- Washington Park, NYC; The U.S. Pastry Team.

There are also 40+ wineries....many high end spirits...cigars...beers.

Everything from caviar and foie gras to ice creams and truffles...If you're going to be anywhere near LA...GO...

For more information call (310) 234-1984.

[southern girl]

I posted earlier on this board about my favorite "foodie event"...so I thought I would follow up with what the chefs served. Starting with my top 5 favorites (although everything was great!!!):

Alan Wong: "Soup and Sandwich"-Chilled vienr ipened red and yellow tomato soups with a grilled cheese, Kalua pig and foie gras sandwich

Eleven Madison Park (kerry Hefferman)- Abalone with Tarragon Flan and clam chowder foam.

Le Bernadin (Eric Ripert)- Peekytoe Crab Salad with green tomatoes and chilled gazpacho sauce.

Patina (Joachim Splichal)-Scallop-Potato Roll with Brown Butter and Balsamic Vinaigrette; Ahi Tuna Sashimi with Yuzo Granita, Tomato and Avocado

Valentino (Luciano Pellegrini)- Roasted Veal stuffed with Squab with Black Truffles and a medley of vegetables: Penne Latini with Shrimp and Fresh Tomato Sauce; Grilled Pizza; Smoked Striped Bass with Arugula Salad

-An American Place (Larry Forgione)-Grilled Sweet Prawns with Stone Ground WHite Corn Cake and Golden Tomato Gazpcho

-Aqua at Monarch Beach (Michael Mina)-Fried kumamoto oyster, Pickled COrn Relish & Cilantro Aioli

-Arun's Thai Restaurant (Arun Sampanthavivat) Thai Rice with Sweet Shrimp Curried Peanut Sauce

-Aureole (Charlie Palmer)-Wood Grillled Skirt Steak with Cannelini Beans, Heirloom Tomatoes and Nicoise Flavors.

-Cafe Annie (Robert Del Grande)- BBQ Duck wings with Smoked Chili Raisin Sauce, Jicama Slaw and Toasted Corn Cakes

-Campanile (Nancy Silverton and Mark Peel)- Barbequed Pork Leg Sandwiches with Pickled Onions, House Made Mustard and Succatash; Ice Cream Pies

-Chinois on Main (Luis Diaz)- Steamed White Fish wirh Julienne of Leeks, Scallions and Red Jalapenos in a Garlic Ponzu Sauce; Bamboo Skewered Louisiana Shrimp Tempura Dipped in Scallion Honey Mustard Sauce; Free Range CHicken Wrppaed in Wonton Skins filled with Vegetables Marinated in Oyster Hoisin Sauce.

-Chinois Las Vegas (Joseph Bennett)- Crisp Tempura Shrimp with Mango Mustard Vinaigrette.

-Coyote Cafe (Mark Miller)- Dungeness Crabcakes with Mole Amarillo (spicy pineapple)

-Craft, Craftsteak (Tom Collichio)- Grilled Beef Sirloin with Creamy Polenta and Balsamic Onions

-Gramercy Tavern- Coconut Tapioca with Passionfruit Sorbet and Basil Syrup

-Granita (Jennifer Naylor)- Fondue Feast: Skewers of Lamb, Spiendino, Kobe beef, Grilled Foie Gras, Marinated Calamaretti, Grilled Porcini, Autumn Pumpkin Squash, Rustic Country Breads, Grilled Figs, Concord Grapes, Fall Apples, Frozen Bananas, Grilled Nectarines, Mini Profiteroles, Pumpkin Seed Brittle Candied Citrus- Pots of Gorganzola/ Mascarpone; Anchiode; Fonduta with Truffles; Roasted Tomato-Rosemary Fondue; Concord Grape Sapa;Milk Chocolate Mole; Maple-Butterscotch; Amaretto Creme Anglais; Vahlrona Citrus; Chocolate 5 spice

-The Hitching Post (Frank Ostini)- Oak-grilled Gulf Shrimp, Smoked Pork loin and French Fries with Spicy Catsup

-K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen (Paul Prudhomme)-Pacific Rim Belle Salad and Chipotle chile Cream Pasta

-Lark Creek Inn (BRadley Ogden)-Grilled Mini Lobster Roll; Tequila Gold Orange SLush

-Locke-Ober, Excelsior (Lydia Shire)-"New England Lunch Box"-Bttermilk Sorbet with Limoncello; Toasted Buttered Lobster Roll with Ioswich Fried Clams; Fingerlickin' Good BBQ Shortrib with Apple Pumpkin Coleslaw, Hop Maple Frosted Raised Doughnut

-Matsuhisa (Nobu Matsuhisa)-Spicy Tuna Hand Roll; Veggie hand Roll; Cold Soba Noodles

-Olives (Todd English)-Corn Tartlet Filled with Maine Lobster Salad, Corn Spuma and American Caviar

-Payard Patisserie & Bistro (Francois Payard)- A Port Wine Poached Fig on Sel de Guerande

Postrio San Francisco (Steven and Mitchell Rosenthal)-Roasted Salmon with Coffee Mushroom Jus and Micro greens

-Postrio Las Vegas (John Lagrone)- Braised Beef Short Ribs with Mediterranean COucous and Toasted Almonds

-The Rattlesnake Club (Jimmy Schmidt)-Seared Spicy Gulf Shrimp and Sea Scallops with Gingered Red Kuri Squash Cake; White Chocolate Ravioli; Chocolate Procrisp Crunch; Smart Cookies

-Spago

Beverly Hills (Lee Hefter)-Rotiserrerie Suckling Pig with Bao and Asain Noodle Salad

Chicago (Francois Kwaka Dongo)-Sauteed Loup de Mer with Couscous and Lobster Black Bean Nage

Las Vegas- (David Robins)-Tomato Scallop and Young Garlic Risotto

Palo Alto- (Aram Mardigian)- White Corn Vichyssoise with Little Neck Clams and Organic Watercress

-Spago Beverly Hills- (Sherry Yard) dessert- Black and White Delights

-Stephan Pyles- Seared Salmon on Roast banana-Black Bean Mash with Coconut-Serrano Broth

-Tabla (Floyd Caroz)-Grilled Short Ribs of Beef with Roasted New Jersey Corn Salad

-Terra (Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani)-Slow Roasted Stuffed Lamb; Hummus;Pickled Turnip; Fatoush; Long Cooked Romano Beans; Grilled Tuna with Tahini Sauce; Kibbe Neyhe

-Trattoria del Lupo (Mark Ferguson)-Braised pork Shank with Seven Beans and Regianno

-Tung Lok Restaurant (Sam Leong)- Prawn Coated with Wasabi Mayo and Mango Salsa; Chilled Home Made Spinach Tofu enriched with Superior Light Soy Sauce

-Twist (Thorsten Leighty)-Taco-shimi: Ahi Poke with shiitake Mushroom Relish; Grilled Scallop Ice SHooter with Yuzu Vinaigrette; Green Mago Panna Cotta with Five Spice Fruit Compote

-Union Pacific (Rocco DiSpirito)-Duck a la Pizzaiola

-Brasserie Vert- (Matt Bencivenga)- Mini Gorganzola Burgers; Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes and Bufala Mozzarella;Concord Grape Granita and Vanilla Ice Cream

-Vincent on Camelback (Vincent Guerithault)-Bruschetta; Creme Brulee

Washington Park (Jonathan Waxman)-Grilled Ahi Tuna with Avocado and Tomato Salad; Pear Tartlet

[cabrales]

southerngirl -- When you have a chance, could you describe the event a bit more? For example, does the city in which the event is held vary from year to year? Are admission charges significant, and how early do participants generally book?

[southern girl]

Cabrales...The American Wine and Food Festival is an event put together by Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff for the benefit of Meals on Wheels in LA...and held on the backlot of Universal Studios (usually the last Sat. in Sept). The theme each year is Western Night (to encourage people to dress casually and relax...not because it is really "western")This was its 20th year. It is not cheap...$250 in advance...$300 at the gate (I think $100 of the amount is tax deductible)....they also have a dinner with select chef's on Sun. at Spago...$500 this year... They have a mailing list...and the invitation usually arrives in early to mid-August. To get on the mailing list just call Spago Beverly Hills).

This was my 12th time to go...it just gets better every year...as do the chefs who participate. They raise millions for MOW...which helps deliver food to people who are in need or unable to get out (the elderly and shut-ins etc.) Lizziee is heavily involved in this charity and could probably give you more info on that aspect.

I have attend events like this all over the USA (during the 6 years I dated a winemaker) and I have to say this is the BEST one...IMO.

[cabrales]

I have attend events like this all over the USA (during the 6 years I dated a winemaker) and I have to say this is the BEST one...IMO.

southerngirl -- Apart from Aspen, what are the more interesting events of similar type in major cities?

[southern girl]

The other ones I really enjoyed were

An Evening with the California Wine Masters...also LA...on the back lot at Paramount

The Napa Valley Wine Auction

The Sonoma Wine Auction

Magic Moments in Birmingham, Al

The Sarasota Wine Auction

Monterey WIne Festival

All of those benefit charity(ies) in some way.

For sheer sensory pleasure...The Masters of Food and Wine at the Highlands Inn Carmel, CA.

[bvus]

This event takes place on the back lot of Universal Studios in Los Angeles this Saturday. The event is expensive ($250 per person, advanced ticket; $300 at the door), but it is a very good food event and it is for charity. I have gone for the past couple of years and wines have been good and the food has been first rate. If you do decide to go, come early as some of the attendees run low on food later in the event and definitely come hungry. Here's the blurb from the Gayot site on the event:

Los Angeles, CA—21st Annual American Wine and Food Festival

Master chef Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff celebrate the 21st anniversary of Southern California's largest culinary collaboration at Universal Studios Backlot in Universal City. The 2003 event brings together a great line-up of 34 of the world's most talented chefs joining 16 of Puck's executive chefs and 60 of our country's most respected vintners for the great-American cookout. Among this year's chefs are Marcus Samuelson of Aquavit and Ming Tsai (Blue Ginger), the recipient of the James Beard Foundation Awards for Best Chef Northeast 2002. Other luminous guests include Jasper White, of Boston's Summer Shack, Dean Fearing, of Dallas' Mansion on Turtle Creek, Sam Leong, of Singapore's famous Tung Lok in the Four Seasons Hotel, Drew Nieporent, of Tribecca Grill, Mario Lohninger of Danube and Zarela Martinez of Zarela's. The funds for the Meals on Wheels Programs of Los Angeles will provide more than 250,000 hot nutritious meals for our community's disabled and homebound elderly. Tickets are $250 per person with advance purchase and $300 per person at the door. The event will be held from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. For further information and ticket purchases the public can contact Pam Korman at 310-777-3707 or by email at festival@wolfgangpuck.com.

Here's a posting from E-Gullet on last year's event: Post

Edited September 11, 2003 by bvus (log)

[bvus]

The American Food and Wine Festival will be taking place again at the back lot for Universal Studios in Southern California the evening of Saturday, October, 2, 2004.

It is a fund raiser for Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. 50 high end chefs and 60 vitners.

It's very pricey, but it is a nice event, especially for a foodie.

There's more info here:

Puck Page

and here:

Festival page

[sserver]

Did anyone attend this event? Any reports?

[Chris Cognac]

I talked to one of the chefs today, he said it was great and Pucks people really had it together. I was invited but had to work..what a bummer!

[Foodie-Girl]

I have a friend who goes every year. Heard it's an amazing event.

Guess there is a Chef's Tasting Dinner the following night which is really over-the-top!

Edited October 4, 2004 by Foodie-Girl (log)

[bvus]

Did anyone attend this event?  Any reports?

←

Yes. I attended this event. It was great. Top restaurants from all over the country (NYC, Chicago, Mass., Michigan, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles etc.). Many of the restaurants had their head chefs preparing and serving the food. Many wineries with a few pouring some high end wines (mostly Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo; but some importers were there serving many other regions). Not as crowded as past years (which is a good thing for attendees), but overall quality of food was as good as it has ever been. The event benefits local Meals on Wheels charities.