THE FEDERAL BAR served MAC AND CHEESE “OTTER POPS” inspired by the Los Angeles Zoo’s otters, and WATERMELON, LOMO, BALSAMIC “ANACONDA BITES” inspired by the Zoo’s lizards.
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- MAISON AKIRA served HOME-MADE DUCK PATE WITH CRISTILLON TOAST and CHILLED SOMEN IN DASHI AND TRUFFLE FLAVOR inspired by the birds at the Los Angeles Zoo.
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- TAIX FRENCH RESTAURANT served WATERMELON AND BABY TOMATO CONFIT GAZPACHO WITH TINY CROUTONS AND MINT inspired by the Zoo’s Mexican slider turtle.
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- SAM’S BY THE BEACH served PUREE OF CALIFORNIA CANTALOUPE WITH FENNEL, GREEN APPLE, CUCUMBER AND FRESH MINT inspired by the Zoo’s Botanical Gardens and WILD MUSHROOM SOUFFLE WITH ROASTED ROMA TOMATO COULIS SAUCE inspired by the Zoo’s orangutans.
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- HARD ROCK CAFE served CHEESECAKE WITH OREO COOKIE PIECES inspired by the Zoo’s zebras
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- Shown are representatives from Jersey Mike’s, El Cholo and El Coyote, who are among some of L.A.’s most popular restaurants generously donating their cuisine for dinner at the Ball,
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- THE FEDERAL BAR served MAC AND CHEESE “OTTER POPS” inspired by the Los Angeles Zoo’s otters, and WATERMELON, LOMO, BALSAMIC “ANACONDA BITES” inspired by the Zoo’s lizards.
This year’s Beastly Ball guests will head to the Rainforest of the Americas to celebrate the completion of the tenth and final exhibit of the Zoo’s Phase 1 Master Plan. From the rocky outcroppings of Tiger Plaza to the wide variety of animals in South America to the tropical environs of the spectacular and intimate Rainforest of the Americas, the Los Angeles Zoo has been remade. Beastly Ball revelers will get to enjoy all that the Zoo has to offer in delicious food, entertainment, and, of course, our beloved animals.
Among the iconic restaurants donating their services for dinner at the Beastly Ball are Canelé, Celestino Ristorante, El Cholo – Los Angeles, El Coyote Mexican Café, The Federal Bar, Georgetown Cupcakes LA, Glorious Gourmet Catering & Garnish Café, Hard Rock Cafe, Jersey Mike’s – Pasadena and La Cañada, Maison Akira, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Sam’s By The Beach, Taix French Restaurant and Yummy Cupcakes.
The night honors a very special guest: Heather Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes. Heather is apassionate advocate for animals. As the newly appointed TOMS Chief Animal Lover, Heather is launching a new “TOMS Animal Initiatives” program, which will partner with animal-focused organizations to raise money and awareness for specific endangered species around the world. Her first shoe will focus attention on the mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park, and the Los Angeles Zoo will be the only zoo to carry these special shoes outside of TOMS’ flagship store in Venice, California.
Ken Ziffren, veteran entertainment industry attorney (and the new Film Czar of Los Angeles), has been named the fourth recipient of the Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award. The Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award honors entertainment industry professionals in recognition of outstanding leadership in local or global wildlife and environmental conservation or for efforts to promote civic pride and harmony in our multi-cultural community.
This year’s Beastly Ball will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the most comprehensive source of information on the global conservation status of the world’s plant and animal species.
All Photographs by George Stoneman
