Plate by Plate 2008, Positively Great; Project by Project’s Annual Food/Beverage Tasting Benefit Hosts Hundreds at California Science Center Downtown

Project by Project Returns to Wallis Annenberg Building at the CSC for Annual Benefit Bash

Event Report by Don Rose

(July 26, 2008 - Los Angeles CA) After years of success in hosting its signature event, in both New York City and in Los Angeles, Project by Project hosted its Sixth Annual Tasting Benefit tonight, to a large crowd of upscale professionals, foodies, VIPs and media. As they did last year, PbP featured many food and beverage booths along with an excellent silent auction, a lively live auction (someone got a guitar signed by the Rolling Stones for just a few thousand), a VIP lounge and an early private reception for VIP ticketholders.

This year, Project by Project’s partner is the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), a non-profit, non-partisan, community-based organization whose mission is to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community.

The PbP gala once again showcased savory food and dessert delicacies prepared by talented chefs from the best restaurants in Los Angeles (such as Bashan, above), as well as samplings from premier wineries and beverage companies. My fave libation was GuS -- as in Grownup Soda -- no high fructose corn syrup, not overly sweet, refreshing carbonated taste.

The amazing dessert assortment is one of the hallmarks of the PbP soiree every year, and 2008 was no exception. Valerie featured Petit Fours, ginger toffee and square chocolate bites with a real kick (below, left). Another popular booth featured yummy cakes (below, right), including a Vietnamese green tea coffee cake and, to satisfy your dark side, chocolate cupcakes topped with chocolate frosting. Mmmmmm...




















The silent auction, like last year, featured great items, filling a room off to the side of the main party area. 2008 seemed more focused on sports memorabilia, with one of a kind items like a signed "Apology" ball from baseball legend Pete Rose (below, left) and Joe Dimaggio photos with a signature from the Yankee great (below, right).

























And there were some very cool entertainment-related items up for bid as well, like Walt Disney photos and an actual Disney check (below, left); Shrek and Donald Duck were also present (below, right, next to a Jeter jersey).























And what LA party is complete without Jack? Nicholson, that is. The Jack Pack seen here not only had film items but even featured the actor's head (see middle bottom of photo, below). Another similar collection with pics and head bust featured fellow actor Johnny Depp. There were also guitars, one signed by the Eagles, another by Willie Nelson. The PbP gala is getting a reputation for having one of the best auctions of any LA event, one of many reasons you should plan to attend in 2009. More information at http://atb.projectbyproject.org/.