The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 11th annual Simply diVine, the premier food and wine event for LGBT people and their allies, will be held on Saturday, April 9, from 5–9 p.m. Guests will stroll on McCadden Place in Hollywood in front of the Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza while sampling extraordinary food and drink from L.A.’s most popular restaurants, food trucks, wineries, distilleries, breweries, juicers, and coffee roasters. All proceeds support the Center’s programs and services, which provide more then 100,000 free meals to LGBT homeless youth and low-income seniors each year.
Those looking for a more intimate experience can get exclusive access with a Club VIP ticket to the beautiful courtyard inside The Village, where there will be tastings of rare, high-end wines and savory bites prepared in front of guests by celebrity chefs Susan Feniger (Border Grill and Mud Hen Tavern), Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill), Kajsa Alger (Mud Hen Tavern), Nyesha Arrington (Leona), and Steve Samson (Sotto).
Chefs Suzanne Tracht (Jar) and Brooke Williamson (Hudson House, The Tripel, and Playa Provisions) will tantalize guests along McCadden Place with samples of their superb food creations.
“For more than a decade, Simply diVine combines two of my passions—food and charity,” said Susan Feniger, one of the event Co-Chairs. “There is nothing more gratifying to me than knowing our guests arrive to the event to enjoy mouthwatering food, delectable drinks and great company—and they all leave fully satisfied in knowing they supported a wonderful cause.”
Restaurant partners include Ayara Thai, The Black Cat, Border Grill, Choctál, Connie and Ted’s, Craft, Gracias Madre, Hudson House, Jar, Madcapra, Mud Hen Tavern, Neveux Artisean Creamery, Petrossian, Plant Food + Wine, POT, RAO’S, Sotto, Sycamore Kitchen, Tavern, Terrine, Tortilla Republic, Taste on Melrose, Umami Burger, The Village Idiot, and Viviane.
Wineries, craft beers, spirits, specialty coffees and juicers include Angel City Brewery, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Chopin Vodka, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, J. Lohr, JFC International, Inc., Ludlows Cocktail Co., MB Middlebar, Mosaic Wine Alliance, Perrier, Pochteca, Sapporo, SelvaRey Rum, Stella Rosa, Vigneron Imports, and Vita Coco.
Platinum Sponsor is Wells Fargo; Gold Sponsors are American Airlines, Greg Fullmer / Danny Hawkins / Douglas Dyakon, and Sysco LA; Silver Sponsors are Keller Williams Realty Beverly Hills and Yellow Cab Co.; and Contributing Sponsors are Chipotle, Frontiers Media, Jenn-Air, LA Pride!, Lesbian News, Los Angeles Magazine, Stoli, and Yelp.
Simply diVine will be helmed by returning co-chairs, celebrity chef Susan Feniger (Border Grill and Mud Hen Tavern), David Bailey (HGTV’s Selling L.A. and Keller Williams Realty Beverly Hills)—both of whom serve on the Center’s Board of Directors—and Laurie Deddens, Beverage Steward at Pavilions West Hollywood. Jory Burton from Sotheby’s International Realty returns as this year’s Host Committee Chair.
Entertainment at the Club VIP Lounge will be provided by Denise Fraser Trio. Music and entertainment along McCadden Place will be provided by DJ Asha and members of Eye of Newt Circus.
For the latest news and updates about the event, follow #SimplydiVineLA on Twitter and check simplydivinela.org for a complete list of participating tasting partners.
Photo: Susan-Feniger-(c)-Rick-Rose
