Annual Chefs Night Out supporting the Children’s Institute on July 26th, 09 in Santa Monica- Preview
Angeleno Magazine’s James Beard Award Winner Brad A. Johnson Brings
Together L.A. ’s Top Chefs and Restaurateurs at the Annual Chefs Night Out
Proceeds from Chefs Night Out Support Children’s Institute, Inc.
LOS ANGELES (July 20, 2009) – Angeleno magazine’s James Beard award-winning food critic Brad A.
Johnson joins forces with The Tasting Panel’s James Beard award-winning editor Anthony Dias Blue to
co-host the Annual Chefs Night Out and Restaurant Awards. The event will honor L.A. ’s top chefs and
restaurateurs while celebrating the release of Angeleno’s annual restaurant issue where food is the
celebrity. The event will also feature double gold award-winning wines and spirits from the San Francisco
International Wine and World Spirits Competitions, the largest, most influential international wine and
spirits competitions in America . Event tickets are $150 and VIP tickets are $250. Proceeds from
Angeleno’s Annual Chefs Night Out event will benefit the Children’s Institute’s work with children and
families. Children’s Institute, Inc. helps children who have been affected by violence, abuse and other
trauma.
Chefs Night Out, taking place on Sunday, July 26 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows (fairmont.com/SantaMonica),
will kick off with a VIP reception and award presentation. The second half of the event will feature
internationally renowned chefs who will be preparing signature dishes paired with award-winning wines
and spirits. The Chefs include:
David Myers from Sona, Comme Ça and Pizza Ortica
Lee Hefter and Thomas Boyce from Spago
Lee Hefter and Ari Rosenson from Cut
Susan Feniger from Street
Anthony Zappola from Craft
Brian Moyers from BLT Steak
Ray Garcia from FIG Restaurant Santa Monica
Warren Schwartz from Westside Tavern
Evan Funke from Rustic Canyon
Monique King from Nine Thirty
Vernon Cardenas from Katana
Focusing on the “Best of the Best” in the Los Angeles culinary scene, Johnson unveils his top 50
restaurant picks in the Angeleno July restaurant issue. Exploring the city with his discerning palate and
insider knowledge, Johnson shares his discoveries on what it is like “Live and Dine in L.A. ” Johnson
also honors the top restaurants, chefs, and all that make the Los Angeles culinary scene world-renowned
with the annual Restaurant Awards, which will be given out at Chefs Night Out. The following are the
2009 Award Winners:
Restaurant of the Year: Melisse
Chef of the Year: (Tie) Suzanne Tracht, Jar and John Riviera Sedlar, Riviera
Best New Restaurant: Church and State
Best New Chef: Steven Fretz, XIV
Pastry Chef of the Year: Adrian Vasquez, Providence
Best Restaurant Design: Cecconi’s
Best Wine Service: Osteria Mozza
Vanguard Award: Capo
“This annual event celebrates the 50 best restaurants in Los Angeles . I dined at more than 200 restaurants
again this year to narrow L.A. ’s food scene to the elite Top 50. It was a daunting marathon of eating that
included everything from pig’s ear to white truffles. We might be in a recession, but L.A. ’s restaurant scene
is as exciting as ever. If you haven’t been to Mélisse or Jar in a while, you’ll be amazed at what they’re up
to. And if you haven’t yet discovered downtown’s Church & State, or if you still haven’t heard of a rising
star chef named Stephen Fretz in West Hollywood , it’s high time you booked a table. These are the 50
restaurants every Angeleno needs to know, right now,” Johnson said.
For ticket information, visit
www.childrensinstitute.org or call 213.807.1959.
About Modern Luxury
Modern Luxury Media, LLC ("Modern Luxury") is the largest publisher of city-regional magazines in the
United States, currently publishing magazines across 13 major metro markets including: New York,
Chicago, Los Angeles , San Francisco , Miami , Dallas , Houston , Washington , D.C., Atlanta , Honolulu , San
Diego, Orange County, CA and Napa/Sonoma, CA. Focused on "luxury lifestyle," including fashion,
jewelry, dining, travel, design, automotive, art and architecture, Modern Luxury specifically targets the
affluent reader. Modern Luxury magazines distribute more than 1 million copies nationally each month,
reaching more than 5 million readers per month.
The company was founded by brothers Michael and Stephen Kong in 1993 in Chicago . They are backed by
Clarity Partners, LP, the largest media-focused private equity fund in Los Angeles .
About The Tasting Panel
The Tasting Panel magazine is the most widely circulated trade publication in the beverage industry,
reaching an audience of thousands of key decision-makers every month and growing on an international
scale. Manning the ship are dynamic publisher Meridith May and renowned wine & spirits authority
Anthony Dias Blue, Editor-in-Chief. With their expertise, experience and esteem, The Tasting Panel has its
finger on the pulse of the beverage industry, making it one of the most informative and cutting edge
publications focusing on beverages, the beverage trade and the people who make the industry tick. Regular
features include: Blue Reviews, authoritative scores and reviews of wines and spirits; Industry Spotlight,
highlighting innovators and leaders; The Letter from London , Steven Spurrier’s monthly update; Brief
Encounters, recapping meetings with key industry figures; and UpFront, an important
brand spotlight.
About Children’s Institute, Inc.
Children’s Institute, Inc. helps children who have been affected by violence in their homes or communities.
Since 1906, CII has served at-risk children and families in some of Los Angeles ’ most devastated
neighborhoods. CII provides healing and support so that traumatized children can recover and lead healthy
lives. We lead children away from tragic outcomes and on a path toward opportunity and achievement.