Neal Fraser, Jet Tila, Lydia Shire, Eric Greenspan, Akasha Richmond, Walter Manzke, Ted Hopson, Warren Schwartz and Others Join Stuart Skversky’s Effort in Helping At-Risk Children in Thailand
WHO: Stuart Skversky, Executive Director/Founder Stu and the Kids, Neal and Amy Fraser, Chefs/Owners of Redbird, Vibiana, BLD, Fritzi and icdc in Los Angeles
WHAT: A Thai flavored Food & Wine Festival hosted by Chef Stuart Skversky and his chef friends who will be creating dishes for the 3rd annual Stu and the Kids Fundraiser, raising scholarship funds for Hill Tribe kids in Chaing Mai, Thailand.
In 2009, Stuart Skversky, a Los Angeles rising star chef, gave up his life in Los Angeles and moved to Chiang Mai to become a full time volunteer at the Wat Dan Chan (a local Buddhist temple), teaching local children English, cooking and baking. Recognizing a need to help prepare these high risk Hill Tribe kids following their graduation, he founded Stu and the Kids to better prepare them for adulthood, helping them get into a university or technical college and giving them the tools for an independent future. Proceeds from this event go directly to the children’s education, school uniforms, supplies, housing, food and tuition for higher education. Now in their eighth year of fundraising throughout the world, Stu and the Kids has raised over $165,000 for the charity, including last year’s record of $52,000 accumulated from the LA festival, fundraising on the east coast and online donations during 2015.
Participants for this year’s event include Hosts Neal and Amy Fraser, Redbird; Andy Ricker and Thomas Boyce, Pok Pok LA; Eric Greenspan, Mare; Brooke Williamson and Nick Roberts, Playa Provisions; Akasha Richmond, Sambar; Daniel Elkins and Erez Levy, Savore Catering; Ramon Reyes, The Ensaymada Project; Gilberto Cetina, Chicken Itza; Walter Manzke, Republique; Warren Schwartz and Rosa Schwartz, Magpie’s; Ted Hopson, The Bellwether; Gregg Wiele, Patina Restaurant Group; James Tree and Carlos Enrique, Superba Food & Bread; Gary Menes, Le Comptoir; and Jason Neroni, Rose Café (complete list of participating chefs and restaurants below).
Beverages will be plentiful, featuring the Stu and The Kids popular fresh Coconut Bar and Thai tea. The Bodega Wine Bar will offer a great selection – Singha beer, Rekorderlig Cider, Mother Earth Brew Company, wines from Pali Wine Company, Simple Life Winery, Il Donato Pinot Grigio and Vina Bujanda Rioja. Thanks to a generous donation from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the festival will showcase a Thai-inspired cocktail mixed with Austin’s favorite spirit.
During the evening there will be an educational presentation and activities for all ages, including a vivid display of Northern Thai umbrellas from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and performances of Thai music and dancing. The live and silent auction benefiting Stu and the Kids will include photos of the kids and locations in Chiang Mai, Thailand, hand-made Hill Tribe bags and silver jewelry, gift certificates, gift baskets, autographed cookbooks, glider flights and a spectacular 4 night, 5 day trip to Thailand to meet the kids and enjoy the beauty and flavors of Chiang Mai.
To purchase tickets, visit StuandtheKidsTickets
Sunday, July 31, 2016, 4pm to 8pm (2:15 p.m. for VIP tickets)
General Admission: $125, VIP Admission: $195; early admission and special invitation to a cooking demo with the Culinary Ambassador to Thailand and of the Food Network fame, Chef Jet Tila. 2:15 p.m.; demo begins at 2:30 p.m.
Kids tickets: $25 for kids 6-12
Tickets for general admission, VIP admission and kids may be purchased online: www.eventbrite.com/e/stu-and-the-kids-fundraiser-tickets-24917266214#tickets
Vibiana, 214 South Main Street, Los Angeles, California 90012
Stu and The Kids is a 501c3, tax-exempt nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for orphaned and underserved Hill Tribe children for continuing their education in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
For further information on Stu and the Kids, visit www.stuandthekids.org
Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/stuandthekids
Follow Stu and the Kids on Twitter and Instagram at @stuandthekids
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Participating Chefs and Restaurants
Presenting Chef and Culinary Ambassador to Thailand – Chef Jet Tila
Akasha Richamond | Sambar
Andy Ricker and Thomas Boyce | Pok Pok LA
Bill Bracken | Bracken’s Kitchen
Brooke Williamson and Nick Roberts | Playa Provisions
Connor Shanahan | Wolfgang Puck Catering
Elisa Testone | Sinners & Saints
Erez Levy and Daniel Elkins | Savore Catering
Eric D. Ernest | Moreton Fig, The Lab
Eric Greenspan | Mare
Gary Menes | Le Comptoir
Gilberto Cetina | Chichen Itza
Gregg Wiele | Patina Restaurant Group
James Trees and Carlos Enrique | Superba Food & Bread
Jason Fullilove| Barbara Jean
Jason Neroni | Rose Café
Kris Yenbamroong | Night + Market
Lydia Shire and Alex Pineda | Scampo
Neal and Amy Fraser | Redbird
Ramon Reyes | Ensaymada Project
Richard Rea | The Butcher’s Daughter
Romain Drocourt | Pastry Lab
Rosa and Warren Schwartz | Magpie’s
Stefanie Kelly | Cults Kitchen
Ted Hopson | The Bellwether
Tetsu Yahagi | Spago Beverly Hills
Walter Manzke | Republique
Warren Bernardino | Tender Greens
Sponsors
LA & SF Specialty
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Vibiana
Pali Wine Co
6 Degrees LA
Chefs to End Hunger
Behind the DJ Booth
Erik Fisher Photography
Young’s Market Company
