Lupus L.A. hosts inaugural ‘Cuisine for a Cause’ – Beverly Press & Park Labrea News

Chef Katianna Hong catered the event with the help of her daughter. (photo courtesy of Tiffany Rose for Lupus L.A.)

Health nonprofit Lupus L.A. hosted its first-ever Cuisine for a Cause spring fundraiser on Sunday, May 19. Guests embarked on a culinary adventure as they stepped into the garden courtyard of Vibiana in Los Angeles. Upon arrival, guests were greeted with music and bubbly libations before experiencing delectable bites from chef Neal Fraser of Redbird and Vibiana, Chef Chris Bianco’s out-of-this-world Pizzeria Bianco, chefs Katianna and John Hong’s genre-defying Korean American YANGBAN, chef Nakul Mahendro of Badmaash’s, “Indian food for the people” and chef Vartan Abgaryan of Momed’s sophisticated interpretation of farm to table Mediterranean dining. Florals for the event were designed by Blooms By Emily.

As a twist on the traditional nonprofit fundraiser, guests enjoyed signature dishes from each chef station, mingled, danced, walked the orange carpet and finished dining before the brief award ceremony which was held inside the former downtown cathedral. Once inside, guests were treated to desserts by “L.A.’s Sweetheart” and three-time James Beard Award-winner, Sherry Yard of Bakery by the Yard.

James Beard Award winner Michael Symon spoke about being diagnosed with lupus at 28 years old, and wishing he started taking better care of himself instead of waiting until age 45.

“I’ve learned that without family, battling lupus is almost impossible,” Lupus L.A. founder Adam Selkowitz said. Selkowitz received the Ellis Community Leadership Award shared how he and his six-year-old daughter Lucy are COPA syndrome patients – a rare form of lupus.

Dr. Mariko Ishimori, interim director of the Division of Rheumatology in the Department of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Health System, received the Medical Visionary Award.

The spring dinner included music by Haute Disco’s DJ Bettie Blue and Violinist Conner Vance. The live auction by Billy Harris included priceless private Chef dinner experiences and luxurious weekend getaways. The event was produced by the Ombrello Agency.

For information, visit lupusla.org.