Michael Fiorelli and Rebecca Merhej with their team from Love & Salt at Alex’s Lemonade(Elise Thompson)
It’s the busiest time of the year for food events, and it’s understandable that they might all seem to run together. But Alex’s Lemonade has a special place in our hearts. Everyone’s enthusiasm is contagious, from the chefs to the guests to the mixologists. The event carries on the spirit of Alexandria “Alex” Scott, a little girl with cancer whose front yard lemonade stand, started when she was only four, grew into a foundation that raised over a million dollars during her lifetime. The foundation now hosts food events large and small in her name. LA Loves Alex ‘s Lemonade is definitely on the larger end of the spectrum, with world-renowned chefs and mixologists pitching in to raise money for children’s cancer research. Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne and David Lentz return annually to host and invite chef friends to pitch in.
This year the 7th Annual LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade will take place at UCLA’s Royce Quad Saturday, September 10th from 12-4pm. Guests will enjoy tastes from an outstanding roster that includes some of our favorite chefs. LA locals Neal Fraser, Suzanne Tracht, Michael Fiorelli and David Lefevre, who put Manhattan Beach on the foodie map, master of seafood Michael Cimarusti, Bryant NG of the incomparable Cassia, pasta king Bruce Kalman, Michael Voltaggio, King of Porc Walter Manzke, founder of La Brea Bakery, Nancy Silverton, and Timothy Hollingsworth of The Broad’s Otium will be whipping up special dishes just for you. National — and international — talent includes Jonathan Waxman, Aarón Sánchez, San Francisco legend Dominique Crenn, she who needs no introduction, Giada De Laurentiis, and a personal favorite from New Orleans, Donald Link.
In addition to the amazing food, you can enjoy specialty cocktails, fancy wines, and of course, lemonade. There will be an auction of once-in-a-lifetime experiences like having some of these chefs cater your next dinner party. General Admission is $195. In the spirit of the event, children under the age of 12 are free with an accompanying adult, and do not need to register for the event. Chefs often bring their own kids, and it’s like one big block party. Get your tickets now!
