Some of the world’s most talented – and generous – chefs and musicians turned out in Los Angeles Saturday for “Eat, Drink and Support”, a one-of-a-kind food and music event benefiting the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. 500 lucky guests plus 100 staff and volunteers were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime afternoon of culinary delights and musical entertainment, which took place at the Food Bank in downtown L.A., and boasted perfect weather for the mostly outdoor event.

Many guests brought food to donate; the first 100 receiving t-shirts from Backbeat Barbecue, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl’s new barbecue venture. After traveling through one of the Food Bank’s three massive warehouses (the 100,000 square foot Food Bank footprint hosts three large buildings), guests entered the back parking lot, which had been transformed into a culinary and rock music extravaganza.

Chefs Bruce Kalman and Tyler Anderson served pork meatball parm sandwiches and two pizza options: brussel sprout, guanciale, potato, and smoked mozzarella and Margherita from their new project Square Peg Pizza. Chef Antonia Lofaso prepared Collezione Rigatoni with braised pork, foraged mushrooms, and ricotta salata; executive chef Nick Shipp took charge of the afternoon’s sides and greens including fire roasted corn with avocado cilantro butter, cotija cheese, and smoked paprika and green bean and fennel ratatouille with pickled raisins. Chef Dave Grohl catered and served savory smoked meats from Backbeat BBQ, complete with sliced pickles and a slice of white bread; and chef Duff Goldman offered warm bread pudding a la mode. 10 C-CAP school-aged culinary students worked side-by-side with Dave Grohl, Antonia Lofaso, Bruce Kalman, Tyler Anderson, Nick Shipp and Duff Goldman.

The event featured musical performances by pop artist Jessarae, R&B pop artist Jessica Childress, and chef-led alt-rock band Foie Grock, including Bruce Kalman, Duff Goldman, Geof Manthorne and Brent Woods, with special guest performers including Foo Fighter frontman Dave Grohl. The final music performance was by Chevy Metal, featuring Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Wiley Hodgden (Birds of Satan) with special guests Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) and Dave Grohl. The event was organized by culinary emcee and producer Billy Harris, producer Paul Vitagliano, and producer K.C. Mancebo of Clamorhouse.

Guests , including L.A. Kings President and Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille, actor Steven R. McQueen, DJ Lance Bass, and Lisa Loeb were in attendance. Visitors moved throughout the event, sampling culinary delights and talking with the chefs, who not only prepared but also served food. Those on hand  marveled at the magnitude of the facility, as well as the amount of produce, diary, pantry and refrigerated items that waiting to be distributed to its more than 600 partner agencies. The food bank provides food to more than 300,000 clients on a monthly basis.

The Breville Cafe experience offered a full cafe set-up with baristas serving coffee beverages, a Santa Margherita a wine bar and a Beer Garden was made possible by Imperial Western Brewery.

Barilla donated 2,600 pounds of pasta to the Food Bank – enough for 16,000 servings, and will extend its partnership to support the East LA mobile market in 2019. Wells Fargo bank presented a $10,000 check, part of their second annual Holiday Food Bank program.

Other vendor partners include Ice cream from Jeni’s; water from Arrowhead; fresh juice from Naked; mocktails created by Redbull; and organic frozen Good Pops and more. Guests enjoyed Take home treats from Krispy Kreme.

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has distributed enough food for more than 1 billion meals since 1973 and is a 4-star rated charity by Charity Navigator. Eat, Drink and Support is the last event closing out the Food Bank’s 45th anniversary year.

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