A TASTEFUL AFFAIR
They were digging in for a great cause at one of the year’s most delicious dos-the annual Taste for a Cure culinary extravaganza to benefit UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation. Every year, the event explores different wine and dining regions and this time it was Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Food fans gathered at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and they were not disappointed. Guests sampled tasty morsels like rabbit rillette tartlets from Beaker & Flask, smoked pork cheek sliders from Jory at the Allison Inn and creamed wild mushrooms on brioche toast from the Lincoln Restaurant. Other Willamette eateries offering their signature bites included Wildwood and the Painted Lady.
As for vino, Pinot was the top pick at this delectable food fling. Fifteen top wineries brought in their great grapes. While there was an amazing array of terrific tastes from the northern reaches, California was also well represented. Napa Valley wineries included crowd pleasers like Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and Dolce. Laura Linney served as this year’s co-chair.
After getting their fill, guests like “Dancing With the Stars” champ Jennifer Grey, “Dexter’s” Michael C. Hall, “Modern Family’s” Eric Stonestreet and Evan Handler of “Californication” settled in for the awards presentation. This year’s honoree was entertainment titan David Nevins. The Showtime Networks president was presented with the Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award.
After a live auction, the evening wrapped up with a little song and dance and featured performances from Matthew Morrison and Julianne Hough. It was an event to savor, but the most satisfying part of all is helping the foundation. JCCF was founded in 1945 and is considered to be among the top medical centers in the country. Taste for a Cure raised thousands of dollars to keep doctors on the leading edge when it comes to prevention, detection and finding a cure.
LIVE LONG AND PROSPER
She’s not only an Oscar winning actress and best selling author, but Jane Fonda is also an inspiration to millions. That’s just one reason why the 73-year-old former fitness guru has been selected to receive this year’s ICON Award by the UCLA Longevity Center. The gala dinner and awards presentation take place at the Beverly Hilton on June 4. Fellow honorees will include businessman James Collins and Dr. Bradley R. Straatsma of the Jules Stein Eye Institute. With “Seinfeld’s” Jason Alexander headlining the entertainment, the event promises to be a blast for kids of all ages.