A GRAPE ESCAPE
When it comes to pouring it on for a good cause, Malibu’s Jim Palmer always pulls out all the stops (or at least all the corks). Jim and his wife Irene recently hit the Pacific Design Center for California Spirit XXVII to benefit the American Cancer Society. The award-winning winemakers shared their sips with a sensational spread prepared by top chefs at some of the city’s most sought-after eateries. The annual gourmet garden party is a graze-a-thon gone crazy with delicious dishes and fine fare from Beacon, Chinois on Main, Cut, Lago, Matsuhisa Beverly Hills, Ray’s & Stark Bar, Red 7, Spago Beverly Hills and WP 24.
With sauteed shrimp atop blue crab cakes, lobster with lemon grass sauce, and prime rib chop sandwiches with crispy onions and saffron and heirloom tomato relish, there was no shortage of nibbles and the sweet soy/tamarind-glazed pork belly slider with Thai watermelon salad looked like a work of art.
If there was any room left over, Spago’s dessert diva Sherry Yard was hard at work whipping up profiteroles with coffee ice cream and chocolate button drop cookies rolled in sugar.
The PDC was decked out in festive shades of lime and vanilla with elegantly arranged balloons and plenty of large umbrellas to help you beat the heat.
The gourmet gala was hosted by celeb chef Wolfgang Puck, Sherry Lansing and Barbara Lazaroff.
Every year the Palmers do their part and bring their best. This summer they were pouring Malibu Vineyards’2008 Estate Meritage, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot; 2009 Sangiovese “Vortex” and 2010 Irene’s Rose of Sangiovese.
“I donate my wines to charity and work with Wolfgang Puck to raise money for the American Cancer Society to help find cures for cancer,” Jim explained. “I am proud to be invited every year to participate in this great fundraiser.”
Margaret Loesch was this year’s honoree. Margaret is president and CEO of The Hub. She received the Society’s Celebration of Life Award for her support of lifesaving programs and services in Los Angeles. Event co-chair Sherry Lansing looked groovy in grape sporting a vivid, off-the-shoulder satin frock. Barbara Lazaroff was pretty in pink in one of her one-of-a-kind ensembles and an Ascot-worthy chapeau the size of a UFO.
The live and silent auctions helped bring in some big bucks with exotic travel getaways, showy bling and luxurious beauty packages. The delicious do raised almost $500,000 for the American Cancer Society.