Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/898117
54 / the tasting panel / november 2017 GIVING BACK C ultivate LA is an annual, sell-out event presented by United Friends of the Children to raise critical funds in support of foster youth. Celebrating its ninth year, Cultivate LA brings together a dynamic mix of Los Angeles chefs and restaurants, local breweries, and premier wineries curated by The Tasting Panel's own Anthony Dias Blue—giving the 700-plus attendees an exclusive and unforgettable tasting experience. Since 2008, Cultivate LA has steadily amassed a dedicated following of attendees from Los Angeles' thriving food scene and philanthropic circles. This event has drawn support from an exciting variety of celeb- rity chefs, including Alice Waters, Giada De Laurentiis, Curtis Stone, Brendan Collins, and Wolfgang Puck, as well as local greats Suzanne Goin, Matt Poley, Tara Maxey, Joachim Splichal, and Roy Choi. For this year's event, Century Park will open its courtyard on December 2 for a magical night of holiday joy and celebration. Come and celebrate the season with us and help us Cultivate Joy for thousands of foster youth in LA County! To join us as a vendor or sponsor, please email josie@unitedfriends. org. To purchase tickets, please visit www.cultivate. gesture.com. Cultivate LA hosts an auction of wines donated by premier wineries, with money going to the United Friends of the Children to support foster youth. Food and Fun for Foster Youth About United Friends of the Children: There are more than 30,000 foster youth in Los Angeles County—the largest concentra- tion in the nation. Without support from United Friends of the Children, the statistics are startling: 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. The good news: United Friends connects with more than 1,400 youth annually by helping them graduate from high school, go on to college, and find stable housing and employment. United Friends is committed to a long-term support system that has the ability to change the course of a young person's life. For these youth, United Friends of the Children is home, and together we can continue to prove to them that our entire community cares. Your support of Cultivate LA helps ensure that the staggering sta- tistics about foster youth in our city are no longer the norm. In its ninth year, Cultivate LA will feature bites and sips from some of LA's top restaurants and breweries, along with wines from all over California. CULTIVATE LA BRINGS A GOOD TIME FOR A GOOD CAUSE By Izzy Watson PHOTOS COURTESY OF CULTIVATE LA