Eat for a Good Cause at PPLA Food Fare 2018

Emily Ludolf

PPLA Food Fare is back again for its 36th year, since morphing into a food festival after beginning as a cooking demonstration with the legendary Julia Child in 1979. Now, Food Fare is one of Los Angeles’ favorite culinary fundraisers, and features a staggering 150 of the best restaurants, beverage producers and food merchants from across the city of L.A. Better yet, all the proceeds from the festivities go to Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, and this year organizers are hoping to top the incredible $1.2 million that was raised at the last event.

Visitors to the Food Fare this year can expect to stuff themselves on the sea of samples available. You can enjoy everything from L.A. street food classics like Pink’s hot dogs, to an exclusive sneak-peek at the refined, elegant dining of the much-anticipated Simone, which will be opening in the Arts District very soon. If you can’t wait for the restaurant’s grand opening later in 2018, then the Food Fare is the only place to see what all the fuss is about, before anyone else. Foodies from across LA are clambering to try Simone dishes, for instagram fodder and bragging rights.

Highlights of this year’s Food Fare include succulent steak samples from Baltaire, and rustic but refined dishes from one of L.A.’s most popular restaurants, Native. If you’re looking for the finest pan-asian casual then check out XO on Beverley’s stall, where LA foodies are hoping that their famous braised beef short ribs will be featured. You can stuff yourself with oysters from Blue Plate Oysterette in the afternoon session, and finish off your feast with bite-sized offerings from Hamasaku. A fitting end to any Food Fare are the numerous sweet options available, including long-time L.A. favorite, Pazzo Gelato.

Wash it all down with one of the many libations on offer at the Food Fare, such as Kikori Whiskey. Keep an eye out for Nomadica Wine, which has taken social media by storm thanks to their beautiful artistic packaging, and exquisite rosé. If you prefer your coffee to wine, then there are multiple options to choose from, including Califia Farms’ smooth and silky cold-brew coffee. If you really want to be at the heart of the party, then there is an enticing VIP lounge for sponsors, where you can sip on exclusive beverages from Infused Spirits. In the VIP lounge, you may even bump into Chris Phelps, owner of Salt’s Cure, who was named “Chef of the Year” this year by Planned Parenthood.

If you can pull yourself away from the mouth-watering food, there are other distractions for guests, such as a Silent Wine Auction, where you can bid to snatch up some of the best bottles from famous L.A. cellars. Rounding off the charitable events is a Choice Raffle, with highly desirable prizes for foodies, such as an exclusive four-course Chef’s Table meal with a complimentary wine pairing at The Hunt & Fish Club, legendary for its unique game dishes. There is also a six-course tasting menu at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Beverly Hills up for grabs, and even a lunch and private vineyard tour at Martian Ranch.

Celebrate the start of spring by sampling the best dishes L.A. has to offer at the 2018 PPLA Food Fare. It’s one of the highlights of the L.A. dining calendar, and is also a worthwhile charitable cause that you can sink your teeth into.

Food Fare 2018 takes place March 1 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA.