Photo: Corine Solberg for Average Socialite
When: Saturday, August 18, 2019 @ 4-8PM
Hot Spot: Sony Picture Studios, Culver City, CA
Deets: The American Cancer Society presented actor, producer and philanthropist Patrick Dempsey with the “Impact Award” at the 34th annual California Spirit Food and Wine Benefit, on August 18 at Sony Pictures in Culver City.
Dempsey founded The Dempsey Center in Lewiston, Maine in 2008 intending to give back to the community where he grew up, and where his mother Amanda first received treatment for ovarian cancer in 1997. Dempsey continues to support the fight against cancer in a variety of important ways.
Honorary chairs for Cal Spirit 34 are Sherry Lansing and Phil Rosenthal. Lansing is the former CEO of Paramount Pictures who broke glass ceilings as the first woman to head a Hollywood movie studio; prior to Paramount she was the president of production at 20th Century Fox. Lansing founded California Spirit in 1984 as her way to give back after her mother passed away from ovarian cancer. She has remained committed to the event throughout its 34-year history. Rosenthal is a 15-time Emmy Award-winning creator and writer for “Everyone Loves Raymond,” “Spanglish,” and “I’ll have What Phil’s Having”. He currently is starring in “Somebody Feed Phil” on Netflix.
The Host Chef for Cal Spirit 34 was Antonia Lofaso, Chef, TV Personality, Cookbook Author and is the Executive Chef and Owner of Black Market Liquor Bar (Studio City, CA), Scopa Italian Roots (Venice, CA), and her newest concept DAMA (Downtown Los Angeles, CA). Lofaso has a personal tie to cancer sharing “My dad, Fred Lofaso, is a two-time cancer survivor. Like many others affected by the disease, it didn’t hit home until I was directly affected,” said Chef Lofaso. “I chose to stay positive through such a challenging time and continue to help in any way I can for others. Cancer is affecting too many people, and something needs to be done to help find cures. With my own father’s experiences, I gladly support the research needed to provide help and bring awareness to the disease.”
June Quan, Esq., Influencer and founder of the popular Instagram page “Stir and Style,” served as Cal Spirit’s emcee. "I am beyond honored and excited to emcee this year's American Cancer Society California Spirit Food & Wine Benefit,” said Quan. “Cancer has touched my family from so many angles of loss, survival, treatment, and the fight. I lost my grandmother to pancreatic cancer when I was just 12 years old; my aunt is a survivor of ovarian cancer; my uncle is an oncologist specializing in breast cancer treatment; and another aunt is currently fighting breast cancer. I couldn't think of a more special way to show my support for the fight against cancer than to emcee this year's benefit. Thank you for the opportunity to give back and show my respect for all those who have been touched by cancer."
Event co-chairs are volunteers Joy Davis and JB Wilhelm, who were friends as teens in the Mississippi Delta, and recently reconnected as professionals in Los Angeles with the goal of supporting ACS through California Spirit 34. “As a breast cancer survivor, it’s incredibly important for me to give back to the American Cancer Society,” said Davis. “I’m so honored to be co-chairing Cal Spirit with my dear friend JB. Together, our goal is to raise more than $250,000 to support research, early detection, and education to eradicate cancer in the years ahead.”
The event featured, LA’s finest cuisine, outstanding wine and libations, and a silent and live auction. Participating restaurants included: The Bel-Air; BOA Steakhouse; The Butcher’s Daughter; Charcoal Venice; DAMA; Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House; Eleven City Diner; Faith & Flower; Fig & Olive; Guerilla Tacos; Maple Block Meat Co; McConnell’s Ice Cream; Milla Chocolates; Nic’s On Beverly; Pizzeria Mozza; Prawn Coastal; Sweet Lady Jane; Takami Suchi & Robata; Wolfgang Puck Catering; and Wood and Vine. Libations will be poured by Ammunition Wine; Desparada Wines; Golden Road; Herman Story Wines; Kikori Whiskey; Michael Mondavi Family Estate; Moraga Bel Air; Mulholland Distilling; Nebula 9; Seedlip; and Try My T.
Board of Ambassador sponsors for Cal Spirit included: Centric Capital Advisors; Houlihan Lokey; Paul Ferrante; The Sherry Lansing Foundation; David Zuckerman; and Anonymous.
Media sponsors included KTLA5, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard Magazine, Angeleno Magazine, KJZZ Radio, and the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Bridging the worlds of food, wine and philanthropy, the American Cancer Society’s California Spirit benefit has raised $16 million in the last 33 years to support our mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.
Spotted: Patrick Dempsey, Sherry Lansing, Phil Rosenthal, Antonia Lofaso, June Quan, Harry Lennix
Hint For The Average Socialite: Tickets to California Spirit are $250 per person and tickets are available here.
