2024 Past Events
Here are some of the events that Barbara Lazaroff helped with, spoke at, or supported in 2024.
No Kid Hungry – LA / Share Our Strength
40th Anniversary
Guests joined (host committee member) Barbara Lazaroff and Share Our Strength at a private estate in Beverly Hills celebrating its 40th anniversary. Everyone experienced an intimate multi-course menu and expertly paired wines curated by renowned culinary talent.
The evening celebrated the commitment of local leaders who have made an impact for kids in need and provide an opportunity to connect and thank donors, program partners, and culinary supporters for their commitment to ending childhood hunger.
Guests also had the opportunity to bid on unique experiences, helping to raise funds for the No Kid Hungry Campaign.
EMCEE
Lorena Garcia
Chef, Restauranteur, TV Host, Author
(Bio)
NO KID HUNGRY CHEF CHAMPION
Mary Sue Milliken
Chef & Co-founder, Mundo Hospitality Group
(Bio)
NO KID HUNGRY CULINARY CHAMPION
Billy Harris
Auctioneer, Emcee, Fundraiser
(Bio)
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
A Private Estate
Beverly Hills, CA
Suggested attire: Festive Cocktail.
This No Kid Hungry Dinner was a 21+ event.
To learn more about No Kid Hungry visit NoKidHungry.org
Spago’s 40th Annual Seder — sold out!
hosted by Barbara Lazaroff
benefiting Mazon, A Jewish Response To Hunger
Barbara and Spago Beverly Hills invited guests to the 40th Annual Passover Seder Dinner hosted by Barbara Lazaroff. Rabbi Rachlis & Cantor Briar of University Synagogue will perform the seder.
“I feel if you open your traditions and celebrations to all, no matter your religion, background or customs, it fosters tolerance, greater harmony and closer understanding among all people.” ~Barbara Lazaroff
As for many years, proceeds from this evening benefit MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger — a national nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger among all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. This 2024 Seder will raise funds to support families in Los Angeles.
Rabbi Arnold Rachlis and Cantor Ruti Braier, both of the University Synagogue, led the service.
This popular charity evening’s entertainment will feature:
- The West Los Angeles Children’s Choir
- musical artist/composer Craig Taubman
- The Kings of Klezmer Band
- Michael Libow, singing Hatikvah
Executive Chef Ari Rosenson, Chef de Cuisine Chef Areg Avanassian, Executive Pastry Chef Della Gossett and their talented staff prepared an exquisite menu (below).
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 (second seder night)
6:00 p.m. — Dinner and Service
Spago Beverly Hills
176 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
The dinner featured:
Chef Ari’s home-made Gefilte Fish, Chicken and Vegetable Matzo Ball Soup, Roasted Wild Alaskan King Salmon, Braised Beef Short Rib “Flanken,” Vegetable Ratatouille & Roasted Moroccan Carrots.
Chef Della’s gorgeous dessert buffet ranging from Matzo Toffee, Fromage Blanc Cheesecake, Passover Puffs with Caramel Sauce, Sorbet, a variety of fresh fruit and more.
Each guest also receives Spago’s oven-baked Matzah and Macaroons packaged to-go.
Wine Director Benjamin Chesna will offer a variety of refined Kosher wine pairings.
$265.00 per adult, children 0-2 free, ages 3-10 years $150, 11 and over $250 per child. (plus 9.5% tax & 22% service)
Tickets and the ability to make a donation if you could not attend the dinner, were at sevenrooms.com/experiences/spagobh
Aviva Family and Children’s Services
Lifting Up LA 2024 Gala
Aviva is resolved to lift up each client they serve and to transform every life they touch. Barbara is a long-time supporter of Aviva.
Mistress of Ceremonies — Erica Olsen
Erica Olsen is an Emmy-winning On-air Host and Producer for CBS News and Stations. She is the Host and Executive Producer of Inside SoCal, a weekly 5-minute lifestyle series airing on CBS & KCAL Los Angeles.
Honoring with the Champion of Hope Award — Rich Valenza
Rich Valenza is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RaiseAChild Inc., the nationwide leader in the recruitment, retention, and support of LGBTQ+ and all prospective resource parents.
Visionary Leadership Award — Jonathan M. Werner
Jonathan Werner joined Aviva’s board of directors in 2012 and has served as its chair since 2021. He has supported Aviva in a multitude of ways including significant monetary contributions and by providing human resources expertise on a broad range of day-to-day employment matters.
Transformation Award — Isabel Santiago
Over the past 10 ½ years, Isabel Santiago has shown unwavering dedication to the 22 foster children under her care. Beyond fulfilling the basic requirements of foster care, Isabel goes above and beyond to ensure the children feel loved, valued, and part of a family.
Saturday, April 13, 2024
5:30 p.m.
Avalon Hollywood
1735 Vine St
Los Angeles, CA 90028
You can learn about Aviva at AvivaCenter.org.
Pacific Clinics Annual Celebration
Taste of Hollywood
Pacific Clinics hosted a memorable culinary extravaganza and guests helped them deliver high-quality behavioral health care and social services to advance mental well-being for Californians of all ages.
Each year, Pacific Clinics helps over 16,000 children, adults and families in the Los Angeles/South Coast Region, many of whom continue to struggle with increased mental and behavioral health issues, food and housing insecurity and untreated trauma.
The Pacific Clinics Annual Celebration featured culinary creations from some of LA’s finest celebrity chefs while raising critical funds for Pacific Clinics.
Funds raised at this star-studded event go to support their Housing program, as well as it’s suite of Hollygrove programs, which strengthen both children and their parents by enriching knowledge, supporting skill development and helping to build emotional bonds that last a lifetime.
Celebrity Chef Culinary Experience
Silent and Live Auction
Event Program
Saturday, April 13, 2024
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Pacific Clinics’ historic Hollygrove Campus
815 N. El Centro Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
You can learn more about Pacific Clinics at PacificClinics.org.
St. Anne’s Family Services
44th annual Evening of Angels Gala
St. Anne’s Family Services builds safe, nurturing and resilient families for generations to come. Their focus is to provide support, hope, guidance, and empowerment for those in their care. St. Anne’s provides supportive housing, residential treatment, early childhood education, mental health services, and workforce development.
You can see highlights of the 2023 gala here on YouTube.
Saturday, April 13, 2024
5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. — Reception
7:00 p.m. — Dinner and Program
Taglyan Complex
1201 Vine St.
Los Angeles 90038
Black Tie or Cocktail Attire
Complimentary valet parking
To learn about St. Anne’s Family Services visit StAnnes.org.
Saving Innocence
Saving Innocence’s 13th Anniversary Gala
Saving Innocence invited people to join them, along with 500 leaders and influencers in media, entertainment, business and philanthropy to celebrate another year of service to our community at their 13th annual gala.
Started in 2010, Saving Innocence helps children escape human trafficking and find forever homes.
- Within 90 minutes they respond along with Child Welfare and Probation. Clothes and food are provided, and the child is taken for a medical exam.
- They teach life skills, connect the children to communities, celebrate their accomplishments, and secure placement at empowerment events.
- Without this organization, children across the country would not receive the rehabilitation they need to survive, and predators would go unpunished.
- They help the children find their voice again, we speak out for their injustice, and we fight for their survival and emergence back into healthy communities.
Sunday April 7, 2024
5:00 p.m. — Cocktail Hour
6:00 p.m. — Dinner
7:15 p.m. — Evening Program
9:30 p.m. — Event Concludes
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
To learn about this Saving Innocence, visit SavingInnocence.org
PS: Did you know that the average age of entry into human trafficking is 12-14 years old?
Careers Through Culinary Arts Program
C•CAP’s National Benefit
One World, One Table — diverse cuisines, chefs and 30+ restaurants take part in the annual C•CAP national benefit!
Guests connected with C•CAP’s incredible students and alumni while tasting some of the best that New York (and beyond!) has to offer — all while raising critical funds to support C•CAP’s impact and expansion.
Funds raised from this benefit gala support our programming in 186 schools nationwide, impacting more than 22,000 C•CAP students. And it all started in 1990 when Richard Grausman, a cookbook author and educator started teaching the satisfaction and value of home cooking in twelve inner-city New York City high schools and realized he could better prepare these underserved students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
2024’s honoree was Mary Attea, Executive Chef at The Musket Room and the Executive Chef/Partner at Raf’s. Joining Chef Attea as Benefit Chair is Jennifer Vitagliano, business partner in The Musket Room and Raf’s as well as partner/co-founder of The Dutchess.
Learn about C•CAP at ccapinc.org.
To make a donation in any amount visit this page at ccapinc.org.
Monday, April 1, 2024
5:45 p.m. — VIP
6:30 p.m. — General Admission
Pier 60 – Chelsea Piers
Lincoln Hwy & 12th Ave
New York City, NY 10011
HD Summit 2024 by Hospitality Design
Barbara was not able to attend this year. However, this is quite an event for those of you in the industry.
HD Summit is the industry’s only networking conference focused on ideas outside hospitality, because everyone needs new sources of inspiration. This invite-only event is designed to sharpen executive leadership skills and to provide the big ideas needed to stay ahead of the competition.
Each year is different with new information from top global thought-leaders, academicians, researchers, authors, innovators, inventors, and strategists—all in an atmosphere focused on idea gathering, raw networking, and relationship building.
HD Summit serves as the industry’s leadership think tank. Past delegates and sponsors have called it “thought camp”—and that fits perfectly.
Additionally, HD Summit’s optional networking activities are a great way to get to know clients, peers, and colleagues in smaller group settings.
Monday, March 11 – Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Opening reception Monday at 3:00 p.m. to conclusion after brunch Wednesday.
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
Tucson, Arizona
Information and registration was available at: summit.hospitalitydesign.com.
La Paulée Los Angeles 2024
Domaine de Montille Burgundy Wine Dinner
La Paulée is a Burgundian celebration held at the end of the grape harvest. The modern day La Paulée was initiated by Jules Lafon, one of Burgundy’s most respected wine growers, in 1923 when he decided to revive the traditional medieval grape harvest celebration to which Cistercian monks invited their vineyard laborers. Over the years, La Paulée has changed a bit from the original communal banquet.
La Paulée de Los Angeles 2024 kicked off at Spago Beverly Hills with a very special evening featuring proprietor Etienne de Montille and a superb selection of wines direct from Domaine de Montille’s cellars in Volnay.
Following a vertical of Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Le Cailleret, guests explored the breadth of de Montille’s remarkable Côte de Beaune holdings through the superb 2012 and 2010 vintages.
Guests then tasted an exceptional trio of Malconsorts from the 2005 vintage, including the “regular” Malconsorts cuvée, the limited “Christiane” cuvée (made from a unique parcel just next to the original part of La Tâche and bordered by the same roads), and the “Enfant” cuvée, which Etienne only made in 2005 as a trial blend of all of Malconsorts and never commercially released.
The evening finished with a stunning vertical of de Montille’s signature Volnay Taillepieds back to the heralded 1985 vintage.
The wines (full list below) will be paired with a tasting menu from Chefs Wolfgang Puck & Ari Rosenson at Chef Puck’s legendary Beverly Hills restaurant Spago.
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
6:30 p.m. — Reception featuring Racines, Etienne’s California collaborative project.
Spago Beverly Hills
176 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 385-0880
SpagoReservations@WolfgangPuck.com
Wines:
- Racines, Chardonnay “Bentrock Vineyard”, Sta Rita Hills 2021
- Racines, “Grande Réserve” Extra-Brut, Sta Rita Hills NV
- Domaine de Montille, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Le Cailleret 2014
- Domaine de Montille, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Le Cailleret 2007
- Domaine de Montille, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Le Cailleret 1996
- Domaine de Montille, Meursault 1er Cru Perrières 2012
- Domaine de Montille, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2012
- DomaineDomaine de Montille, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2012
- Domaine de Montille, Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves 2010
- Domaine de Montille, Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens 2010
- Domaine de Montille, Corton Grand Cru “Clos du Roi” 2010
- Domaine de Montille, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts 2005
- Domaine de Montille, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts “Christiane” 2005
- Domaine de Montille, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts “Enfant” 2005
- Domaine de Montille, Volnay 1er Cru Les Taillepieds 2003
- Domaine de Montille, Volnay 1er Cru Les Taillepieds 1999
- Domaine de Montille, Volnay 1er Cru Les Taillepieds 1985
Domaine de Montille Dinner at Spago with Etienne de Montille is $1,650 per person + tax.
For more info and for tickets, visit LaPaulee.com/2024-los-angeles
Valentine’s Day at Chinois On Main
Chinois On Main held a celebration of love on February 14th, hosting a fabulous meal amidst beautiful decor. ❤️
Guests treated and loved ones to an unforgettable evening of culinary excellence, romantic ambiance, and mesmerizing live music by Vadim Brunell.
Chinois’ Valentine’s Day menu was a feast for the senses, featuring delicious delights such as Crispy Oysters, Tuna Tartar on Rice Cake, Maine Lobster Spring Rolls, Wild Seabass, Medallions of Charcoal Grilled Szechuan Beef…
…and, of course, Cupid’s Sweet Treats to satisfy your cravings for something sweet.
It was a night filled with love, laughter, and mouthwatering cuisine as the amazing Chinois On Main folks created an unforgettable experience.
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Chinois on Main
2709 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-392-9025
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Valentine’s Day at Spago Beverly Hills
The 2024 Spago offered three Valentine’s Day experiences to choose from so guests could enjoy a great meal along with entertainment by Recording Artist SteFano and his 6-piece band.
But… there were also two additional unique experiences to celebrate with:
Either returning to Spago another day for a personalized afternoon cooking lesson with Executive Pastry Chef Della Gossett in the Spago kitchen OR with a world-class cocktail lesson with Bar Director Adam Fournier.
♥♥Recording Artist SteFano and his 6-piece band.
“When Stefano sings you feel it.” The singer songwriter blesses each song with the sort of inimitable spirit that transforms listeners into lifelong fans. That smooth, slick and soaring voice proves both immediately recognizable and irresistible. The nation watched as he wowed Jennifer Lopez every week during his S10 American Idol days, but following the show he continued to capture the attention of some of music industries elite. Most notably, Baby Face. Since 2018 Stefano has been featured on the 11 time Grammy Award winners international and national tours, TV shows and song writing in the studio. In 2022, Stefano stepped away from the tour life to fully commit to finishing his EP “The Inconvenient Truth.”♥
Celebratory Dinner Options
❣ Valentine’s Day VIP Patio Experience
Dining at your own exclusive patio table is a great way to enjoy access to the live entertainment at your leisure. SteFano and his 6-piece band took the stage directly across from this VIP area. Our beautiful and iconic brick-floored patio is complemented by vibrant greens and central grand fireplaces that make for the perfect setting to enjoy Spago’s imaginative cuisine and was best for guests who prefer the ultimate Valentine’s Day experience with a touch of privacy.
Guests enjoyed a delectable 5-course Valentine’s Day menu plus amuse, by Chef de Cuisine Areg Avanessian and Executive Pastry Chef Della Gossett.
❣ Valentine’s Day Showroom Experience
Seating in our Showroom is closest to the live entertainment. It is a great choice for guests who prefer a bit livelier evening and wish to enjoy the show during dinner. This was a fun supper club style experience with world class entertainment.
Love was celebrated with a delectable 4-course tasting menu plus amuse, by Chef de Cuisine Areg Avanessian and Executive Pastry Chef Della Gossett.
❣ Valentine’s Day Main Dining Room Experience
Our beautiful main dining room offers guests views of Spago’s iconic open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling wine wall. This seating is perfect for guests who prefer a quieter experience than our Showroom. It doesn’t have direct views of the Dinner Show, instead providing an audio and video feed of the live show throughout the evening.
Love was celebrated with a delectable 4-course tasting menu plus amuse, by Chef de Cuisine Areg Avanessian and Executive Pastry Chef Della Gossett.
Extra Romantic Experience Options
❣ THE Spago ULTIMATE Valentine’s Gift-Cooking Class & Tasting Menu
❣ World Class Cocktail Lesson with Bar Director Adam Fournier and Spago Burger Dinner
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Spago Beverly Hills
176 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 385-0880
For more info and to reserve online, visit sevenrooms.com/experiences/spagobh
Chinois On Main welcomes the Year of the Dragon
Chinois On Main to kicked off the Year of the Dragon in the most delicious way possible as everyone extended a warm invitation to a dazzling New Year. Diners immerse themselves in the lively ambiance, savor the exquisite flavors, to memories that will last a lifetime.
Festivities started on Friday featuring the spectacular dragon dance along with Chinois’ regular menu offerings.
On Saturday the celebration continued with entertainment, party favors, and a special fiery feast prepared by Chef Rene Mata to honor the Year of the Dragon. This was a Prix Fixe Menu, $175.
Friday, February 9 & Saturday, February 10
Chinois On Main
2709 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-392-3037
For reservations please call Chinois at: (310) 392-3037
Don’t miss out on this fabulous feast for all the senses!