CleverRoot

2 8 | t h e c l e v e r r o o t SINCE 2008, THE annual Cultivate LAevent has steadily amassed a dedi- cated following of philanthropic attendees who assist in raising money for more than 30,000 Los Angeles foster youth through United Friends of the Children. In December, restaurants, breweries, and wineries from through- out California came together for the 2017 event in Century City, supplying more than 700 guests with plentiful food, wine, and spirits and helping raise $300,000 for a very worthy cause. Participating restaurants and chefs offering samples at the event included Wexler's Deli—which has three locations in Los Angeles, including its popu- lar stand in Grand Central Market—as well as Chef Eric Greenspan from the Roof on Wilshire and the Truffle Brothers, who served truffled pasta out of a large parmesan wheel. The Tasting Panel's own Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue curated the wineries, while Kimo Sabe Mezcal and Buffalo Trace Distillery provided plentiful pours of spiked hot chocolate and aged bour- bon, respectively. Attendees were also able to bid on wine lots and exciting adventures through the silent auction. "For over nine years running, Cultivate LA has combined the joy of good food and drink with the joy of supporting one of Los Angeles County's most vulnerable populations: foster youth," says Dr. Kara Allen Soldati, President and CEO of United Friends of the Children. "Thanks to a collaborative effort of 700 attendees, more than 60 restaurants, and local chefs and vintners, thousands of foster youth will have critical access to education and housing services. It is truly the most 'tasteful' event in LA." GIVING BACK Cultivate Joy LOCAL RESTAURANTS JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT FOSTER YOUTH WITH UNITED FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN by Izzy Watson About United Friends of the Children: Los Angeles County has the highest concentration of foster youth in the nation, and without support from United Friends of the Children, the statistics regarding their futures are star- tling: One-third of foster youth never earn a GED or high school diploma, and 36 percent of California foster youth become homeless within 18 months of their 18th birthday. In an effort to mitigate the challenges foster youth face as they prepare to transition into adulthood, United Friends provides support to more than 1,400 youth annually by helping them graduate from high school, apply for and attend col- lege, and find stable housing and employment. United Friends is committed to long-term assistance that has the ability to change the course of a young person's life, and together we can continue to prove to them that their entire community cares. For more information, visit unitedfriends.org. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CULTIVATE LA Cultivate LA hosted an auction of wines donated by premier wineries during its 2017 event in Century City, CA. Dr. Kara Allen Soldati, President and CEO of United Friends of the Children, speaks at Cultivate LA. Paella Project serves up large portions of its signature dish during the event. ■cr

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