L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Returned to UCLA Campus to Raise $1.4 Million for Childhood Cancer Research
100+ chefs, mixologists, brewers and vintners and 2,500+ guests attended the event, supported by Resy, following three-year pandemic hiatus
Resy joined Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF) for a whirlwind late September weekend in Los Angeles focused on raising funds for childhood cancer research.
The weekend kicked off with an intimate Friday night dinner at chef Nancy Silverton’s home, ringing in the 11th year of the L.A. event.
“This was the first time the event happened in four years and you could feel the excitement in the air,” Kayla Demma, Restaurant Success Manager at Resy, said. “It was beautiful and inspiring, and within one day, more than $1 million dollars was raised,” she added. The dinner was made sweeter by Silverton personally serving her signature butterscotch budino dessert.
On Saturday, September 23 the big event – a gathering of chefs, mixologists, food lovers and supporters – returned to the UCLA campus.
Hosted by chef and restaurateur Suzanne Goin, her business partner Caroline Styne and chef David Lentz, the afternoon was filled with food, drinks and lively conversations of industry members catching up and guests having personal moments with their favorite chefs.
Resy helped participating chefs stay fresh with “Refresh with Resy” kits that included sunglasses, a fan and snacks. Resy also provided breakfast – Breakfast Burritos and Cold Pressed Green Juice – courtesy of Great White and The Butcher’s Daughter.
As the UCLA quad filled up, attendees stopped by Resy’s photo booth. On a mini chalkboard they named the restaurant they are “in a reservationship with” for a very Resy photo moment.
By Saturday’s end more than $1.4 million has been raised for the fight against childhood cancer. “The energy was palpable, and the amazing scientific advancements that have resulted from Alex’s Lemonade – and this event in particular – are truly inspiring,” said Chandler Stroud, Resy Vice President of B2B Marketing. “This event rallies restaurants and guests around a singular cause and shows how food and community can change the world for the better.”
We asked the Resy team about their best bites and favorite run-ins. Here’s what they had to say.
Jeremy Adler
L.A. Regional Manager
- Best Bite: Best food event of the year and the shrimp hot dog from Providence was my best bite
- Favorite Run-in: Ori Menashe and Jordan Okun
Catt Flanagan
L.A. Regional Manager
- Besy Bite: Ori Menashe had grilled prawns that were delicious!
- Favorite Run-in: Chris Bianco! He’s a character and after meeting him a handful of times, I finally caught a selfie. He was so down-to-earth and easy to chat with.
Kayla Demma
Restaurant Success Manager
- Best Bite: Chef Josiah’s fried chicken sandwich from Augie’s on Main. Sounds simple, but whoa the flavors were outstanding. The line never let up and he was one of the first to run out of his dish! The crowd loved it.
- Favorite Run-in: Chef Nancy Silverton personally serving her delicious butterscotch budino dessert. I’ll be dreaming about it!
Adriana Garza
Sr. Restaurant Success Manager
- Best Bite: Nancy Silverton’s butterscotch budino with caramel sauce topped with sea salt cream!
- Favorite Run-in: Getting to enjoy the time with Resy and meeting Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson from Kismet
Chandler Stroud
Head of B2B Marketing
- Best Bite: Nancy Silverton’s salted caramel budino was lights out, though I think the shrimp dogs from Providence were probably the most unexpected and delicious!
- Favorite Run-in: Cristo Fernandez, who was Danny on Ted Lasso, Kirsten Vangsness from Criminal Minds, and Dakota and Elle Fanning! From the culinary world, I loved seeing who I now feel is an old friend – Ellen Bennet of Hedley + Bennett!
Tabatha Goloborodko
Experiential Director
- Best Bite: Butterscotch budino with sea salt from Nancy Silverton
- Favorite Run-in: Chris Bianco, Elle & Dakota Fanning
