04 Oct Event Recap: LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade Benefit

Last Sunday, the sun was shining when the fourth annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade benefit for pediatric cancer research was held on the lawn of Culver Studios. Founded in 2000, Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004) was a four-year-old neuroblastoma patient who held a charity lemonade stand in front of her home to help raise money for cancer.  In one day, she raised $2,000 and by the time she passed away in 2004 at the age of 8, she had raised, with the help of others, more than $1 million. Almost 10 years later, more than $60 million has been raised to fund over 300 research projects with the goal of ending childhood cancer.

Los Angeles Chef Suzanne Goin and her business partner Caroline Styne (AOC, Lucques, Tavern), along with Chef David Lentz (The Hungry Cat) created LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand and each year an extraordinary group of chefs, vintners and mixologists donate their time for one of Los Angeles’ best and most worthy food and wine events. To date, the Los Angeles event has raised more than $1 million and this past week’s event raised more than $530,000.

Excellent dishes from some of the best chefs in the country were served. Here are some of the highlights:

And, there were lots of boutique wines and craft cocktails served:

There was no shortage of great food, wine or cocktails and we enjoyed them all. But, the most touching moment of the event was during the presentations and speeches.  A 6 year old child stood up and said in the most precious and touching speech explained, “I had cancer when I was 3…….I now take medicine at home…….I don’t liked to get poked….I still have cancer and we want to find a cure…”  There was not a dry eye in the house and it was a perfect reminder of why we were there.  We must continue to fight for a cure to childhood cancers!!! Thank you LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade for helping find a cure!