This weekend, I attended the 12th Annual Simply diVine event benefitting the L.A. LGBT Center. Last year was my first year attending, and it was so divine that I had to return again! There were bites and tastings from more than 55 of L.A.’s top restaurants, vintners, beer, and spirits partners, plus cooking and cocktail demos, interactive cupcake art, and a magic show.

Take a look at my recap video below and read on for more about the event!

 

 

As soon as you roll up to the valet, you are greeted by a red carpet, a wine glass is placed in your hands, and you are off! There are so many bites to try that you MUST show up hungry. Also, I should note that these are restaurants of a high caliber. Absolutely everything was stellar and the list of restaurants is reason enough to attend. In fact, here’s a list of the attendees:

 

 

Food Partners: Ayara Thai Cuisine, Black Cat, Border Grill, Chef Draden, Connie & Ted’s, Coolhaus, Craft, Crossroads, dakikokiko, Duff’s Cakemix, Farmboy Kitchen, Blue Window, Gracias Madre, Fico, Jar, Madcapra/Kismet, Milo & Olive, Petrossian, POT, Rao’s Hollywood, Salt & Straw, Shake Shack, Sotto, Tavern, The Village Idiot

 

 

The entire event feels like a party, and I love it! Under the tents, it can get a bit crowded, but it’s cozy and people are friendlier than at most food events. (I must have heard “excuse me” about a hundred times!) However, even though it is wall-to-wall people, there aren’t really any lines to be found. I think I waited once or twice perhaps, but it’s a breeze compared to basically every other event I have attended.

 

 

Since the event is called Simply diVine, there are of course many beverage partners on hand to quench your thirst!

Beverage Partners: Angel City Brewery, The Assembly, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Chareau, Classic Wines, Epic Wines, Health-Ade Kombucha, Henry Wine Group, Hollywood Hot Sauce, Humm Kombucha, Hurradura Ultra Tequila, Intelligentsia Coffee, J. Lohr Vineyards, Jardesca California Aperitiva, JFC International, Mighty Swell, Mosaic Wine Alliance, Mulholland Distilling, Perrier, Pochteca Liqueurs, Popdup, San Antonio Winery, Sapporo USA, Selective Origin, Selvarey Rum, Starbucks, Teeling’s Irish Whiskey, Tito’s Vodka, Verve Coffee Roasters, Young’s Market Company

 

 

Some of my highlights of the night did not involve JUST the food and drink. The music from The Denise Fraser Trio and DJ Asha was perfect for the party mood, there were celeb chefs all around to rub elbows with, and I even decorated my own cupcake!

 

 

Last but not least, I should mention that the whole event supports the L.A. LGBT Center. The Center’s programs and services provide the chance to change and save people’s lives every day, at a rate of 42,000 client visits each month. Not only is Simply diVine a fun night, it supports a worthy cause!

 

 

Make sure to save the date for next year’s festivities since it is one of my favorite events of the year. It’s sure to be a food, drink, and fun-filled party yet again! I’ll see you there!

 

 

Los Angeles LGBT Center
1116 N. McCadden Place
Los Angeles, CA 90038
https://simplydivinela.org