Chefs & ChampagneSM party in the Hamptons, hosted by the James Beard Foundation, has been a nearly 20 year tradition, though the party moved west this year.

For the first time ever, The James Beard Foundation hosted the annual fundraiser on Melrose Place on May 4th, combining – and celebrating – the worlds of cuisine and fashion simultaneously. The weather was beautiful and everybody enjoyed the dishes and wines.

Innovators and tastemakers came together to honor Tom Colicchio (Head Judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and Chef/Owner of Craft Restaurants and witchcraft.

Susan Ungaro, President of the James Beard Foundation, admits, “After a long history of celebrating culinary art and icons in the Hamptons, we are thrilled to expand our Chefs & Champagne fundraiser to the emerging luxury district of Melrose Place, featuring over 30 Los Angeles-area chefs. And we couldn’t think of a more fitting guest of honor than Tom Colicchio, who is a multiple James Beard Award-winner and an icon within the culinary community.”

Items from Chefs & ChampagneSM Los Angeles fashion partners were featured in a lavish silent auction at the event, including Carolina Herrera New York, Frédéric Fekkai, Diane von Furstenberg, Mulberry,  and Lambertson Truex. In addition, the event featured tastings from local Los Angeles resataurants and California wineries.
Chefs & ChampagneSM Los Angeles participating chefs included:
• Matthew Accarrino, Craft Los Angeles
• Gino Angelini, Angelini Osteria
• Govind Armstrong, Table 8
• Octavio Becerra, Palate Food and Wine
• James Boyce, Studio at Montage Laguna Beach
• Thomas Boyce, Spago Beverly Hills
• Pastry Chef Kristy Choo, Jin Patisserie
• Michael Cimarusti, Providence
• Josiah Citrin, Mélisse
• Neal Fraser, Grace Restaurant
• Hiroyuki Fujita, Kumo
• Eric Greenspan, The Foundry on Melrose
• Zov Karamardian, Zov’s Bistro
• David LeFevre and Pastry Chef John Park, Water Grill
• David Lentz, The Hungry Cat
• Bruno Lopez, Hotel Bel-Air
• Walter Manzke, Bastide
• Dennis Mejia, Republic
• David Myers, Sona
• Pastry Chef Ramon Perez, Boule
• Michel Richard, Citrus at Social
• Kristi Ritchey, Murano
• Steven A. Rojas and Pastry Chef Johnny Zepeda, Saddle Peak Lodge
• Marin Santos, Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante
• Bijan Shokatfard, Geoffrey’s Malibu
• Kerry Simon, Simon LA at Sofitel
• Joachim Splichal, Paperfish
• Mike Stern, Michael’s
• Jason Travi and Pastry Chef  Miho Travi, Fraiche

Taking place on Melrose Place on Sunday, May 4, 2008, Chefs & ChampagneSM Los Angeles featured a VIP champagne reception, with the silent auction preview beginning at 5:00 p.m., followed by a promenade of chefs and Champagne from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

The Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, New York will be home to the 18th annual Chefs & ChampagneSM New York. The event will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2008,  and will honor James Beard Foundation Award-winner Wolfgang Puck.

About the James Beard Foundation
James Beard was a cookbook author as well as a teacher, educating and mentoring generations of professional chefs. As he was a champion of American cuisine, The James Beard Foundation celebrates and preserves America’s culinary heritage and diversity by administering various programs including educational initiatives, food industry awards and scholarships to culinary schools. For more information, visit www.jamesbeard.org.