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COOKING FOR LOVE
Helps Break the Cycle of Relationship Violence
By Gerry Furth-Sides

The invitation to the annual COOKING FOR LOVE event in Hollywood at the site of the Goldwyn Studios requests that guests “dress up” for the occasion. And dress up everyone does to have a festive time at this friendly, teenfocused annual event.

Happy guests paraded down a walkway on the Goldwyn Studio lot, food and wine booths on either side, Was the huge, harvest moon overlooking the event during a balmy, clear Hollywood evening planned? It transformed the evening into more than radiant.

Maybe it even helped make the fundraiser into more of a major success. A thank you letter to each and every one of the guests was a happy reminder of the event afterward (only Saban Clinic also does this; good show). It read, “We didn't just have a great time - we met the $50,000 challenge and are helping more teens because of it.”

Location host, Gary Arabia of Global Cuisine at The Lot Studios, and Chef Katin Chin certainly know how to throw a party – with a caring staff and friendly, helpful volunteers. The DJ knew exactly what to play to get the crowd moving and dancing. The parting gift bag was a sweet final touch.

Highlights of the evening started with the oysters so fresh you could taste the sea. French Oyster Gourmet Christophe Happillon proudly serve from his station. How French. Catering Coordinator Heidi Wahl and Chef Eleroy Arendse of Tender Greens, served up their farm-fresh salad.

Last year the event we were introduced us to the signature molecular gastronomic lollipops of Stefan’s at LA Farm. Since then the brilliant Stefan Richter’s place is one of our favorites (article: High on the Richter Scale) so we enjoyed a pop from Sous Chef Troy Sazzman even more. Patal Winery from Napa Valley, Martian Ranch & Vineyard, Goddess of Wine and Roadhoue Winery were joined by Veev and Pom wonderful juice.

COOKING FOR LOVE ranks among the top ten local events by the BizBash Magazine for a reason. It has the magic of being on a very private venue; the Goldwyn Studios are rarely open to the public. And a variety of unique restaurateurs happily serve up their dishes here in one evening. Many of them are “neighbors” who rarely participate in charity events.

Our only suggestion would be to allow kids under 21 in with a separate color wristband from adults who can drink alcohol (as TASTE of Beverly Hills Event does). The cause is so worthy. Meredith Blake founded Break the Cycle in 1996 for teens in peer-to-peer abusive relationships. The good news is that with enough work and dedication, it can mean an end to violence in relationships. Break the Cycle targets young people in potentially abuse relationships, in order to stop problems as they start. The age group between 16 and 24 experiences the highest rate of domestic violence than any other group (one in three teens).

The long term effects of this abuse are alarming: - higher rates of depression, dropping out of school, substance abuse, eating disorders, dangerous sexual behaviors, teen pregnancy and suicide. Two thirds of victims never talk about their experience. According to Cristina Esobar, Senior Coordinator, who flew in from Texas, “Break the Cycle is the leading, national nonprofit organization working exclusively on teen dating violence and advocating for changes in laws to better protect teens. We’ve helped more than one million teens.”

There are two standard offices, but anyone can start their own, with training. BREAK THE CYCLE also partners with organizations nation- wide. For an annual membership $10 fee, adults can become part of a national volunteer corps for advocacy, to raise media awareness and to introduce schools to the classroom prevention program.

A variety of products for local schools and community groups to take action against abuse is listed onthe website. Schools can also requeststaff training.

www.breakthecycle.org
www.cookingforlove.org

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