On September 24, 2005, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff bring together the world’s most talented chefs, wine and spirit purveyors for a Spectacular Culinary Event. A line up of today’s most prominent chefs will converge on Los Angeles for the 23rd Annual American Food and Wine Festival. A star-studded gathering of 55 celebrated chefs will come together with more than 60 fine wine and spirit purveyors in honor of the occasion.
Held at the Universal Studios’ back lot from 6 to 11 p.m., the 23rd Annual Wine & Food Festival is open to the public and will feature live bands, a live and silent auction – including fabulous vacation getaways, great wines and fine dining gift certificates – and, of course, an epicurian feast. The Festival’s high-energy lounge will showcase the talents of award-winning Spago Pastry Chef Sherry Yard and an unforgettable blues band. An estimated 2,500 guests are expected to attend. Proceeds from the charity event will benefit Los Angeles Meals on Wheels programs.
Festival tickets are available through the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation for $250 per person, and $300 per person at the door, as space allows. Table reservations are available from $3,000. For more information or reservations, please call 310-777-3707 or visit www.awff.org, or e-mail tickets@wolfgangpuck.com.
A full list of auction listings can be viewed at www.wolfgangpuck.com
On the heels of last year’s $1.1 million record-breaking success, the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation, has put together another esteemed line-up of celebrity chefs.
Since its inception in 1982, the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation has supported the American Wine & Food Festival, raising more than $11 million for Los Angeles Chapters of Meals on Wheels. The largest privately-funded organization of its kind in the country, Meals on Wheels serves thousands of meals each day to Los Angeles’ homebound senior citizens, disabled and terminally ill patients. As a result of their efforts on behalf of Meals on Wheels, the Austrian-born Puck, renowned for feeding Hollywood Glamour at the annual post-Oscar extravaganza, and leading restaurant designer Lazaroff, are also celebrated for their philanthropic spirit.
The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need. MOWAA works toward the social, physical, nutritional, and economic betterment of vulnerable Americans. The St. Vincent Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles is the largest privately-funded meals program in the country. Every day, they prepare and deliver nutritious meals for seniors and the frail homebound across Los Angeles who cannot shop or cook for themselves, many of which have specific medical dietary needs. There are 90 meal programs in the greater Los Angeles area. The St. Vincent program is the largest of them and also supports some of the other programs by preparing meals for them. The St. Vincent program itself prepares an average of over 2,600 meals per day and has a delivery are of 46 square miles. If a person in need lives outside of this area, and there is no local meal program for them, St. Vincent will still deliver to them. The Meals On Wheels Association of America provides the tools and information its programs need to make a difference in the lives of others. It also gives cash grants to local senior meal programs throughout the country to assist in providing meals and other nutrition services. Mission Statement: "The mission of Meals On Wheels Association of America is to provide visionary leadership and professional training and to develop partnerships that will ensure the provision of quality nutrition services."