Chefs Love LA: Culinary All-Stars Unite to Raise Over $850,000 For Hospitality Workers while Honoring First Responders & Community Heroes in a Spectacular Evening at Lawry’s The Prime Rib Beverly Hills!
What began as an ambitious idea quickly turned into an extraordinary movement, proving that the culinary world’s heart beats strongest in times of need.
CHEFS ❤️ LA, a sold-out All-Star Fundraising Benefit brought together the biggest names in food, hosted at the legendary Lawry’s The Prime Rib Beverly Hills.
NYC’s Chef Daniel Boulud, Chef Jonathan Waxman, and Ruth Reichl joined L.A.’s top chefs including Curtis Stone, Michael Cimarusti, Suzanne Goin, Nyesha Arrington, and many more to raise over $850,000 while honoring firefighters, first responders, and community heroes on one spectacular evening!
The driving forces behind this monumental culinary aid event, industry veterans and CHEFS ❤️ LA Producers Brad Metzger, President of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions and Founder/Producer of LA Chef Con, and Jacqui Leanza, Managing Partner of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions, united the industry with a singular goal: to provide immediate aid to those affected by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Their call to action was met with an overwhelming response.
Lawry’s The Prime Rib Beverly Hills stepped up without hesitation as the Host Venue, thanks to Tiffany Stith, COO of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc., and Ryan Wilson, CEO of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. A powerhouse lineup of culinary icons and industry leaders joined forces, all volunteering their time and talent pro bono for this important Los Angeles culinary benefit.
This incredible event was held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, and was hosted by Somebody Feed Phil creator Phil Rosenthal, Nine-time James Beard Award-Winning journalist Ruth Reichl, Los Angeles Times food columnist Jenn Harris,Brad Metzger, Jacqui Leanza, along with esteemed auctioneer Billy Harris.
In a remarkable show of unity and generosity CHEFS ❤️ LA raised over $850,000 to support Los Angeles Hospitality Workers with 100% of the Proceeds going directly to benefit World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care.
Host restaurant Lawry’s The Prime Rib Beverly Hills had the honor of presenting the VIP Michelin Experience Hour, featuring Eight Michelin Chef Tastings and an elegant Eight-Course Tasting Menu for 262 guests.
Guests were treated to a one hour Intimate VIP Michelin Experience, showcasing seven signature dishes from culinary titans including William Bradley, Josiah Citrin, Michael Cimarusti, Jordan Kahn, Niki Nakayama & Carole Lida-Nakayama, Jon Yao, and Curtis Stone, Astrea Caviar, six premium wines, and three craft cocktails including Chef Michael Voltaggio’s Marcado 28 Tequila and Chef Elizabeth Falkner’s T’MARO Amaro which set the stage for an evening of indulgence.
As dinner service commenced, an all-star lineup of chefs, including Daniel Boulud, Jonathan Waxman, Ludovic Lefebvre, Nyesha Arrington, Suzanne Goin, Tiffany Dela Pena, Timothy Cardenas, Burt Bakman, Jeremy Fox, Katianna & John Hong, Andreas Roller, Clemence de Lutz + Sherry Yard, and Lawry’s Host Chefs Ryan Wilson and Jon Wood, worked in seamless harmony to present an exceptional Eight-Course Dining Experience.
“Food has the power to bring people together,
and the hospitality industry is built on community and giving back.
Being the host restaurant of this event was an absolute honor.”
Ryan Wilson
CEO of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc.
Beyond the remarkable culinary experience and in the spirit of gratitude and community, CHEFS ❤️ LA Honored a distinguished group of Community Heroes—chefs and restaurateurs who have gone above and beyond to support Angelenos affected by the wildfires.
Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, restaurant owners Kim Prince and Greg Dulan of L.A.’s beloved Dulan’s on Crenshaw Soul Food Restaurant, Chef Sandra Cordero and Jessica Vasto,David Turkell, and Rebecca King and Katie Miller have each played a vital role in providing comfort, nourishment, and relief during this time of crisis.
Their unwavering dedication to feeding and uplifting those in need embodies the very heart of this event, and CHEFS ❤️ LA is proud to recognize their incredible contributions.
Additionally, Los Angeles Deputy Fire Chief Jaime Moore, CAL FIRE Division Chief Anthony Jones, CAL FIRE Prevention Specialist Chloe Castillo, U.S. Army Veteran, CAL FIRE Division Chief Matthew Edmiston, and Ventura County Fire Andy Vansciver were invited as Guests of Honor, underscoring the deep appreciation for the first responders who put their lives on the line to protect our communities.
“The food was nothing short of spectacular and the hospitality provided by the team at Lawry’s was truly first class,”
Chloe Castillo
CAL FIRE
“This event exemplified the strength and unity that defines our communities in times of hardship.”
The energy in the room soared as Billy Harris led the Live Auction, offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including:
New York Culinary Getaway, a luxury NYC experience with stays at 1 Hotel, exclusive dinners at Le Bernardin and Peter Luger, and an insider’s tour with Andrew Friedman, Ultimate LA Taco & Tequila Experience,
a private taco crawl with Bill Esparza and Chef Michael Voltaggio,
Wynn Las Vegas Luxury Package, a premier getaway with top-tier accommodations and exclusive tastings from Wynn’s celebrated chefs,
Michelin-Starred San Diego Culinary Getaway, a four-night stay at the newly reimagined Lafayette Hotel with exclusive tastings at Addison, Juniper & Ivy, and more,
Los Angeles Luxury Staycation with oceanfront stays at Casa del Mar and Shutters, with VIP dining experiences at Funke, Bestia, Lulu, and Majordomo.
Executing a fundraising benefit dinner of this caliber in less than six weeks required meticulous planning and coordination.
Event Producer Brad Metzger led the recruitment of renowned chefs, curated the food and beverage offerings, organized the Live Auction packages, and planned the event timeline and sequence of service. He worked closely with the Lawry’s culinary, beverage, and service teams, including COO Tiffany Stith, who was involved in every detail, to ensure exceptional execution. Co-Event Producer Jacqui Leanza managed the development of the CHEFS ❤️ LA website, managed the ticketing platform, addressed dietary restrictions and allergies, and oversaw charity and sponsor relations. Every detail was carefully curated, from the selection and rental of silverware, glassware, and China to creating a cohesive and refined dining experience. Metzger and Leanza worked closely with the Lawry’s restaurant team for weeks to refine service protocols, particularly to accommodate guests with allergies. Lawry’s Culinary Director Jon Wood developed alternative dishes for five courses to ensure every guest could fully enjoy the meal. Chef Daniel Boulud and his team arrived early to prepare a delicate Mushroom Consommé as a substitute for their Lobster Bisque, accommodating those with shellfish allergies, while Chef Suzanne Goin crafted an alternative to her signature salad for guests with pork or dairy restrictions. This collective effort underscored CHEFS ❤️ LA’s commitment to delivering an unforgettable and inclusive evening, celebrating culinary excellence while prioritizing guest experience.
In an astonishing show of support, every VIP Ticket and Dinner Ticket for CHEFS ❤️ LA sold out within fifteen minutes onSaturday, February 1st, marking an extraordinary achievement for such an important event organized in such a short timeframe. The rapid response underscored not only the public’s desire to support wildfire relief but also the immense respect for the producers, chefs and the personalities driving this initiative. With the CHEFS ❤️ LA Live Auction alone raising over $104,000, this incredible evening’s final tally exceeded over $850,000, with all proceeds benefitting World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care, providing critical support to hospitality workers affected by the wildfires.
“I have been in the restaurant business for 43 years and have never witnessed such unity and sense of mission among chefs. From Daniel Boulud to veteran cooks at Lawry’s, led by Culinary Director Jon Wood, and the talented alumni fromCareers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), everyone came together, supporting one another’s courses to execute eight courses of Michelin-level cuisine for 262 guests, all under 3 hours!” said Brad Metzger, CHEFS ❤️ LA Producer.
Jacqui Leanza, CHEFS ❤️ LA Producer and Managing Partner at Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions, added, “CHEFS ❤️LA was born out of a desire to help, and the response has been overwhelming. The generosity of our chefs, sponsors, and supporters has not only raised vital funds but has also highlighted the resilience and heart of this industry.”
CHEFS ❤️ LA was more than an event; it was a movement. A testament to the power of community, the generosity of the hospitality industry, and the unbreakable spirit of Los Angeles. With 100% of Proceeds benefiting World Central Kitchenand Restaurants Care, CHEFS ❤️ LA was an inspiring demonstration of how food, philanthropy, and passion can unite to create lasting change.
To Donate directly or find ways to support World Central Kitchen or Restaurants Care, please visit www.WCK.org or www.RestaurantsCare.org for more information.
