Each year, we get to cook for Silverlake Conservatory of Music’s Annual Fundraiser, which, at this point, feels like family to us. They were our very first non-wedding event we ever cooked for nine years ago! They’ve stayed loyal to us all of these years, to all of their vendors in fact, so each year feels like a reunion for all of us.
For the last 3 years, this annual event has been at their own beautiful space in Silverlake. Unlike other full-service events, each year set up is during sound check where iconic musicians like KD Lang, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Lindsey Buckingham check audio as they play a few songs and do some vocal exercises to make sure the 350 guests are going to get a stellar concert. Meanwhile we are also providing food for the Green Room and all of the staff making this event happen.
The photographer caught me here admiring all the art on auction for this event. There was a lot to admire!
The Gagosian hangs the art with certain pieces with bidding starting at 100k! All money collected goes to support the school and it’s scholarships for children to learn music.
Some of the students!
Guests arrive, and cocktail hour begins…
Flea, who began this music school, wanted our kitchen to use the bodies of a bunch of his old bass guitars which was a fun way for us to bring in the theme of the night.
Guests sit and the salad course gets underway. Our team prides ourselves on getting everything out on time and within minutes, no matter the guest count. We have honed it to a graceful dining symphony that goes completely unnoticed by guests. That’s the point. We don’t want them to notice service at an event like this, where the focus is raising money. We want the dinner to be seamless and for dinner plates and platters to just appear all at once. We’ve got this rhythm down to a well oiled machine.
All the sides from this family style dinner were vegan, but chicken and fish entrees were also served.
This year we made sure to get dessert out before performances so guests could nibble while listening. This strategy proved wise because platters came back clean.
Lindsey Buckingham gave me goosebumps. He kept switching guitars in between his solo songs and then also sang Never Going Back from the Rumors Album with Fleetwood Mac. It was an exceptional experience.
Then KD Lang pretty much commanded the room, with, yes, Brad Pitt in the audience. She apologized for singing Ave Maria and then belted it out like no other. Everyone was captivated by her range.
As is tradition, Red Hot Chili Peppers closed the show before auction bidding was over.
You can read more about this event HERE. Come join us next year!
Photos: Gary Leonard
