From authentic local taco spots along the San Diego seashore to Michelin-starred restaurants with sweeping views of Napa Valley, the California food scene may be sprawling, but it's remarkably tight-knit. That’s why it’s no surprise that when wildfires hit Los Angeles, chefs around the state were some of the first to step up.
“I've experienced a real unity of California chefs. It's a very connected community considering the geographic span,” says Oakland-based Chef Tanya Holland. “We’ve all experienced hardships, and the restaurant industry, in particular, is so fragile that it will take a village to help rebuild.”
Holland took action to support wildfire victims by partnering with an independent, African-American female-owned bookstore to raffle off signed copies of her book California Soul with all funds going to the Mutual Aid LA Network. Holland wasn’t alone in her support. Many of her fellow California chefs from all areas of the state contributed time, funds, energy, events, and more—all in the name of rebuilding Los Angeles and bolstering the community in its time of need.
Meals on the Ground
Hours after the fires broke out, Food Network television personality and Bay Area–based Chef Tyler Florence traveled to Los Angeles to volunteer with World Central Kitchen (WCK). He spent several days mobilizing food trucks to deliver fresh meals to first responders. WCK, a nonprofit dedicated to providing food to people affected by humanitarian, climate, and community crises, was founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, whose California-based restaurants include Zaytinya and San Laurel in Los Angeles.
Zachary Fisher, of The Food Dude Catering in Salinas, also went straight to the scene, delivering a truck full of goods donated by locals in his area. He spent two days doling out items for those in need, while cooking hundreds of burgers and hot dogs. In Orange County, Jeff Provance, who owns Blooms Irish Pub in San Clemente, drove a 26-foot-long U-Haul full of donations which he dropped off at the Koreatown YMCA.
Events Around the State
A number of food industry professionals also held special events in their communities to raise money for the wildfire victims. On Feb. 27, culinary all-stars from across the state are gathering for Chefs Love LA, a now-sold-out eight-course dinner that benefits WCK and Restaurants Care.
Chef Brian Malarkey teamed up with culinary apparel brand Chef Works to host a pop-up benefit at his restaurant Herb & Wood in San Diego. More than a dozen of the area’s top chefs—including Addison’s William Bradley, Animae’s Tara Mondson, and Callie’s Travis Swikard—help craft menu items for the event, which raised money for WCK.
In San Luis Obispo, Luna Red hosted a dinner service fundraiser where 100 percent of proceeds went to the Restaurants Care Fund (RCF), which delivers grants to food and beverage workers impacted by the fire. Novo Restaurant and Lounge, also in SLO, held a similar event on Feb. 4 with all profits going to RCF as well. In Sacramento, Dive Bar put on an all-day event , complete with live underwater performances, with a portion of all proceeds going toward Convoy of Hope.
Bay Area chefs also rallied support with special events, including a pop-up with Akka’s Supper Club with pairings from Purity Wine in Richmond to benefit Displaced Black Families of Altadena Fires. Bar Pie Guys also held a dinner in partnership with Hadeem’s Chef Spencer Horovitz where 100 percent of revenue went toward Slice Out Hunger, a nonprofit delivering food to families without their homes. In El Cerrito, Rucolina hosted a benefit for the American Red Cross at Banter Wine.
For 24 hours on Jan. 14, more than 90 restaurants across Orange County participated in the Wildfire Relief Dine Out Day. Establishments like Scratch Bakery in Newport Beach, Darkroom in Santa Ana, and Glasspar in Dana Point all donated 20 percent of sales to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Ongoing Donations for Relief
Alongside physical donations and events, California restaurants also set up ongoing donations to benefit the wildfire victims. Dominique Crenn’s Bar Crenn in San Francisco is donating 10 percent of all cocktail sales to the Global Empowerment Mission. Nearby, Black Jet Baking Co. in Bernal Heights offered a special coconut “I Love L.A.” cake, Friends and Family in Oakland created a Daily Affirmations shot, and The Snug in Pacific Heights released a specialty cocktail dubbed City of Angels—all of which benefited fire relief. Rory’s Bakeshop in Yountville donated a percentage of bakery sales to the Pasadena Humane Society, as well.
In San Diego County, eight establishments banded together to create a Dining for Disaster Relief campaign with proceeds from specific menu items—like the Master Roski Roll from Cloak and Petal in Little Italy and the Chicken n Waffle Sandwich from PRK 101 in Carlsbad—going toward the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
The family-owned knife brand Messermeister in Ojai is offering free knife sets and 50 percent discount for displaced families, while also helping to raise over $10,000 for WCK through their website.
If you’re looking to lend support, now is a great time to visit Los Angeles and enjoy the local restaurants. For those who can’t make the trip, Holland notes that “many restaurants have online commerce sites where you can purchase gift cards.”