But the evening was so much more than that title!

The show emcee, comedian Alonzo Bodden. I love that each performer’s name was on the big screen behind them, so we never had to wonder where we were in the program. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one above.

I had not been to one of WeSparks’ annual fundraisers in eight years, (a number several of us there could not believe,) so I was very happy to finally pay a return visit. And once again, it was a perfect event from beginning to end!

Before I laud the food and performances, let me explain the lovely purpose of this classy evening. The May Contain Nuts “Night of Comedy” benefits the WeSPARK Cancer Support Center in Sherman Oaks. WeSpark is a wonderful Los Angeles organization that provides free services to cancer patients, survivors, their families, and even their friends. I love kindness like that.

Just a tiny part of the silent auction. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The event took place at the Skirball Cultural Center on Mulholland, which catered one of the best dinners my friend Laura and I have had in a long time! Seriously. I honestly think it was the best, most healthful, well-rounded meal I’ve ever had at an event! (And remember—I’ve been a restaurant critic for decades!) The dinner buffet had something for everybody, which was very thoughtful of them. (More on the fare in a minute.)

Before we dined, everyone mingled in the warmly-lit courtyard where the silent auction was set-up. There were so many awesome items to bid on, including several trips, a couple of sweet little Disney figurines, a VIP tour and luncheon at one of LA’s major studios, and even a private chef experience right in your own home!

The buffet. (I couldn’t get any pix that are free from hands–the food was so good that it never sat there alone!) Photo by Karen Salkin.

The dinner buffet was out there, as well. For the first time possibly ever, I ate everything on offer! It began with a refreshing salad of arugula, oranges, and pomegranate seeds, with a delicious and light use-as-much-as-you-like hazelnut dressing. (I’ve been dreaming of it ever since.) Next up was a pasta salad with chopped veggies and auxiliary grapefruit slices. And the grilled vegetables, (which were way too hearty to be called “veggies,”) were gorgeous. Then came the potatoes; I’m a potato gourmet, and the small round ones were perfectly crispy outside, creamy inside, and salted just right. Vegetarians could stop right there and be totally content, but we carnivores were thrilled with the beautifully-sauced chicken breasts. (And I super-appreciated that each dish had a sign on top stating exactly what it consisted of!)

After filling our plates, (which were full-sized ones, by the way, not the tiny dishes that are used at many events to try to make guests eat less, which I appreciated,) we all took them inside to our tables in the ballroom. Each table featured a duo of platters of little desserts—pecan pies, brownies, and lemon bars. I don’t eat lemon, but the first two were delish! I was glad my table was all skinny females because there were more for me! (The pretty girl next to me told she wasn’t eating any because she “has a cupcake at home!” Oysh. I had an entire babka at my house, but that didn’t deter me from scarfing the yummy on-site treats!)

My mouthwatering plate of food. To be exact–my FIRST one! Photo by Karen Salkin.

When we were all happily satiated, the show began. Comedian Alonzo Bodden handled the hosting duties masterfully once again. Two very funny comics joined him along the way. Drew Lynch, the runner-up on America’s Got Talent some years back, had us in stitches talking about his wife, (who is adorable, by the way. I know that because, shamefully, Laura and I both looked her up!) The last guy of the presentation, Maronzio Vance, was one I had never heard of, but he was quietly hilarious. He just sat in a chair and talked, slowly and deliberately, about relationships, and it could not have been funnier. He was the very last performer of the night, when it was getting late, but no one wanted his set to end.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Before the comedy, though, came the poignant segment of the evening. Jean Trebek, who, as the widow of the late Jeopardy host Alex Trebek who had passed away from cancer almost four years ago, was WeSpark’s honoree this year. Their daughter presented The Heart of WeSpark Heart Award to Jean, and both of them gave lovely speeches.

After that, as he did the last time I attended May Contain Nuts, Mark Walberg (the TV host, not the movie star—the latter has an “h” in his name,) took the stage to raise additional funds from the audience members before the comedy began. I’m glad that I got to say a quick hi to him afterwards because we had met on a flight to New York back in the day, when I was doing my TV show, and he was working in the biz, too. (He had recognized me as I was boarding, introduced himself, and it turned-out that we were sitting right near each other! And then Tom Bergeron came over to say hi to Mark, so we all talked about what shows we were doing. That impromptu get-together back then made me realize that I was accepted in the hosting community, so the memory has always stayed with me.) I thank WeSpark for giving me this opportunity to remember that fun time in my life.

Mark Walberg on stage, amusingly encouraging donations from the crowd. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Even at the end of this fabulous event—after the superb dinner, the warmhearted award, the fundraising, and the comedy—it seemed that most of the assemblage was in no hurry to leave! As Laura and I were rushing to get home ourselves, (she to her kids, and me because I wanted to start writing this article right away,) she asked me why everyone was still there, even though the show had already wrapped-up. I explained that the event was so good that the guests wanted to still meet and greet and discuss. She had never seen that before! It’s truly rare in this town.

So I suggest that everyone check-out this wonderful organization, either because you and yours need them or because you want to be a good person and contribute to their life-enhancing services in any way. Or you just want to be sure to not miss the 2025 May Contain Nuts event!

Here’s the WeSPARK Cancer Support Center site: www.wespark.org.

Calling all SoCal foodies—the seventh annual fabulous Masters of Taste, (which features unlimited refreshments all day!,) is back in town.  I’ve attended the past five of them, (I, sadly, missed the first,) and now I can’t wait for this 2024 version. So I’m happily sharing the lowdown on how to be there yourselves. (Just don’t cut ahead of me for any of the goodies!)

I brought my main contributing writer, Laura, to her first one last year, and she almost cried from how much she loved it. She said it’s the best event she’s ever been to!!! And as someone who works with me, you know she’s been to everything!

The Rose Bowl field, all set-up for Masters of Taste. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The 2024 Masters of Taste (MOT) is taking place this Sunday, April 7, 2024, at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena once again. And—no kidding—it’s right on the field!  I had been on that field several times before my first MOT, (because of my friendship with the UCLA athletes in the late ‘90s, and also for a few professional events since then,) and let me tell you— it’s a magical experience every time. But there’s nothing as thrilling as entering the top of the steps for this event, and taking in the entire tableau at once. Trust me on just how breathtaking that view is!

But the food and beverages from all of the participating eateries are the real stars of the day! Trust me on that statement even more! I’d advise everyone to not eat much that day until you get there.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

General admission goes from 4-7PM, and there’s an additional early VIP hour from 3-4. (MOT is much less crowded for that first hour, so if your dining and recreational budget allows, I highly recommend spending the extra bit of money for it.) And that admission price covers absolutely everything! Once you’re in, you can eat and drink as much as you like, including alcoholic beverages. (But if you do plan to drink those, please either designate a teetotaling driver or take a car service.)

Before I get into the participating eateries, I have to tell you about the kindness aspect of Masters of Taste. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to Union Station Homeless Services, a very worthy nonprofit organization that’s working to end homelessness and rebuild lives here in Los Angeles, specifically the San Gabriel Valley. (You can read more about them on the Masters of Taste site linked at the bottom of this preview.)

Gus’ Famous Fried Chicken. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Now, as to exactly what we’ll all be feasting on next Sunday, there will be over forty eateries offering savory bites, (including the perennial favorite, Gus’ Fried Chicken; Emporium Thai, a famous Westwood restaurant that I’ve been recommending to MOT for a few years now; and even the classy members-only City Club LA,) and over a dozen dessert purveyors, (for which I can’t wait to cheat on my diet!) As to the beverages, there will be about four dozen various ones. (And that’s not even counting the plethora of bottled/boxed waters that are always on offer.) None of us will be wanting for anything, (except maybe a baggier wardrobe that day!)

And the fun is not solely on the Rose Bowl field; as soon as you enter the gates, there are booths and food trucks right on that top level. Whether you begin your food and drink journey right there or save that area to peruse on the way out, (so you can relax in one of their fake-foliage-covered armchairs,) it’s all good. I guarantee that you will love it all!

The upstairs section, right when you walk through the gates. Photo by Karen Salkin.

More good news is that the parking in the Rose Bowl lot is free! And close-by. On top of that, all attendees receive a cute little set of cutlery on the way in, so they can use their own utensils for the day instead of each booth’s plastic ones, if they choose to be nice to the environment. To further help the planet, the waste bins all around the grounds are specified for either landfill, recycling, or composting, which my recycling self really appreciates.

There’s always a culinary Host of this event, and this year it’s a husband-wife team with whom I’m familiar. Lucy Thompson-Ramirez and Chef Bret Thompson own and run Pez Cantina downtown. I’m a proud user of their famous seasoning; now if only I could cook like Bret. Lucy is always kind enough to invite me in for dinner, but, with my crazy sked, I just can never find the time, so I’ll be happy to reconnect with them at Masters of Taste this coming week-end.

A very satisfied guest at the end of a previous Masters of Taste, wishing she had worn baggier pants! Photo by Karen Salkin.

As a Masters of Taste veteran, I, of course, have some excellent, (if I do say so myself,) advice for you when you go. Since there’s tons of walking, (it’s on a football field, after all,) wear comfortable footwear. And because you’re going to eat and drink more than you could have ever imagined, wear loose clothing, such as drawstring pants, or, let’s call it “faux maternity,” dresses for the ladies. It actually doesn’t matter what you look like for this one—everyone has eyes for only the food and beverages!

Most importantly, be smart and wear sunscreen! Even if it’s not a sunny day. And perhaps bring a cap with you. You can never be too careful with the sun. Take this advice from someone who’s had skin cancer twice…on my face!

Now that you have all this important info, go order your tickets right now! I hope to see all my fellow SoCal denizens there. Come say hello, but please try to do so during the few seconds in which I’m not stuffing my face!

For tickets and more information on all of it, just click right here: www.mastersoftastela.com.

My co-writer, Laura, and I were privileged to attend last week-end’s Block Party at Paramount Studios thrown by the wonderful cancer research organization Concern Foundation. Laura deemed this “fun and festive event” to be “the best one of the year,” once again, an assessment I wholeheartedly agree with. And my team and I go to well over one hundred events per annum, so that’s saying something!

The stage where the awards and live auction took place. Photo by Laura Saul, as is the one of the atmosphere, at the top of this page.

Of course, the best part of the Block Party for most attendees is the fabulous food and drink, but for me, all of that ranks way behind Concern Foundation’s raison d’être. And that is to raise much-needed funds for cancer research. It’s a safe guess that cancer has unfortunately touched all of our lives in one way or another, so getting more research done to rid the world of this insidious disease should be all our, well, concern! I so admire the smart and kind people who work so hard on this foundation, not just on this Block Party, but in all their important endeavors. And the best news is that, as of this writing, the total funds raised by that one event are about $2.1 million! How wonderful!

As always, the Block Party had so many aspects to it, beginning with the beautiful silent auction right as we entered the premises. I loved all the timely Barbie offerings! But I was the most happy to see the guests paying so much attention to the centerpiece of the occasion—the on-stage live auction and the awards portion of the evening.

If you missed my preview last week, the honorees were the Kallick family, who received the Lifetime of Giving Award, which means they’re incredibly kind, which I consider to be the most important thing in life. They said afterwards, “We were humbled by the recognition. We were so pleased to assist in raising funds for cancer research.” And Cedars Sinai Cancer was acknowledged for their groundbreaking work focused on conquering cancer. As someone who has most of my doctors at Cedars, I can assure you that the cancer program patients are in the best hands possible.

As to the venue itself, Laura says, “There is something very magical about being on the Paramount backlot, where we’re surrounded by Hollywood history.” She and I even “stoop sat” for a bit, so my Brooklynite self can attest to the fact that it really does feel like you’re on a New York street.

One of the music stages, where the DJ and dance troop entertained the crowd. Photo by Laura Saul.

One thing we both noticed this time is how nice all the workers were, from the Paramount staff to the Concern personnel and volunteers to the people who manned all the food and beverage booths and specialty areas. It was truly a collection of people coming together to put on something world-class.

And I adored seeing so many age groups represented.  In the past, I had noticed mainly over-fifties at the Block Party. But this time, we kept coming upon giddy kids, teens, and twenty-somethings who all appeared to be having the time of their lives, especially with the many fun photo ops, and in the “beauty” room where you could get colorful clip-ons in your hair, or sparkles on your eyes and hands. I even spied a few babies in the crowd!  Concern’s Block Party is perfect for families. (So make sure to bring yours next year!)

Each Block Party has a theme, and this year it was The Land Before Time: The Extinction of Cancer, that latter part of which we’re all praying for. The designers must have loved working with that theme, which really lent itself to the decorations, which were mainly dinosaurs, big and small. A big moving one greeted us as we entered, and there were giant ones all over.  I got a kick out of seeing a trio of forty-somethings taking a selfie leaning into the mouth of one of them. (I’m not enough up on my dinosaur lessons to tell you what each one was. But I did spot a pterodactyl flying high above one of the facades toward the back of the lot; I have to admit, it did scare me for a second.)

The moving dinosaur who greeted us as we walked into the Block Party. Photo by Laura Saul.

The theme really appealed to me because back in the day, I had played a cavewoman on a children’s show. It was a really fun experience, even though the wardrobe people forgot to get my cute “Wilma Flintstone” costume. So they handed me a black skirt and top—and shoes!—belonging to the ten-year-old girl star, and shockingly, I fit into them all! (Remember—this was back in the day, when I was my formerly very skinny self.) And when we were done shooting, (meaning it was too late to change,) they finally showed-up with my real costume, which I would have loved to rock on camera! And at this Block Party, as well! (Thank goodness I spared everyone from that sight!)

Now let’s get to the food and drinks already!  Laura says, “It’s so much fun to walk around the streets of Paramount’s backlot, sampling the great offerings from the different vendors. I enjoyed seeing some of my favorites from last year there again, as well as discovering many new treasures.” For example, Westwood’s Emporium Thai made her cut again.  She told me, “Their vegetable curry is some of the best I’ve ever had; I love that they don’t dull down the spice level. And they augmented it with the best Thai iced tea ever!”

To continue the Westwood eateries theme, she once again greatly enjoyed STK’s famous sliders this year, (which surprised the guests with the “addition of truffle oil,”) saying, “I’m not much of a red meat eater, but I always make an exception for this event.” A new fave for her was Tao’s “delicious lobster wontons.”

My faves were all desserts this time. I could have lived at the table of La Conversation Bakery, which used to be an adorable cafe in West Hollywood, but is now delivery-only until they find a new location. The unbelievably pleasant servers there let each guest choose as many delicacies as they liked, and plated them for everyone, wearing gloves, so no one’s hands touched them, which I, and my fellow germaphobes, really appreciated. There were about twenty different tiny tidbits on offer, and the pièce de résistance–a full-size croquembouche that they pulled pieces off for the guests who wanted them!

La Conversation’s offerings. Note the gorgeous croquembouche on the right. Photo by Laura Saul.

But for those who wanted just a duo of superior cookies, there was the Gourmandise School from Santa Monica. They baked chocolate chip and triple chocolate cookies all night, from the second we walked in. We were all welcome to grab one or two which were already housed in little paper bags for us. I could have just stopped right there and been happy, but we did begin and end with them. Yum-my!!!

Since I drink only water, Laura reviewed all the beverages by herself. She tried as many as she could; I laughed a few times when I noticed her juggling three cups or cans at a time! She noted that, along with “established brands” of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, “we were able to sample some new products. There were some hard seltzers, a Tequila soda, canned Kombucha, and organic, vitamin-infused, flavored coconut waters in colorful bottles.” And here’s a shock—she enjoyed them all!  I really appreciated that there were big icy containers of giant bottles of flat water at every turn. A girl’s gotta stay hydrated!

Obviously, it’s over for 2023, and I feel bad for everyone who missed it. But if you’re smart, you’ll circle July on your 2024 calendars right now, so you don’t miss another Block Party.

And if you’re looking for a charitable organization to support, at any time, please check into the Concern Foundation. It will be worth your time. All you need to do to get started is click on this link: www.concernfoundation.org

I usually celebrate Mr. X and my anniversary in this space today, but instead, I must tell you of a wonderful event tomorrow night that you should not miss if you’re anywhere near Los Angeles.

It’s Concern Foundation’s famous Block Party on the backlot of Paramount Studios. Besides that it’s the most fun and delicious event of each year, (my co-writer, Laura, says it’s the absolute best event she’s ever been to!,) it’s also the most worthwhile one, on every level and for everyone concerned. This will be the forty-eighth year of the Block Party, which raises millions of dollars for cancer research. And don’t all people want to be a part of that life-saving endeavor?

A snippet of the onstage auction at the 2022 Concern Foundation Block Party. Photo by INAM staff.

Before I share any more about what to expect, here’s the information you need to order your tickets right now:
Concern Foundation Block Party
Saturday evening, July 8, 2023 beginning at 6PM
Paramount Studio in Hollywood
www.concernfoundation.org/block-party

Even if you can’t make it out there, you can still bid on their fabulous on-line auction, which is actually available on their website right now. Just use the link above to access it.

There are two auctions on site tomorrow night, as well. There’s a silent one when you enter the soiree, and a really fun one onstage later on in the evening, so be prepared to find many fabulous items. My guests always nab some great ones, like tickets and VIP packages to major concerts and sporting events. I’m still jealous that a former co-writer of mine won a framed Derek Jeter jersey one year!!!

The Block Party has an interesting theme every year. This go-round it will be the clever The Land Before Time: The Extinction of Cancer. I can’t wait to see the decor for it!

The Concern Foundation Block Party honorees.

Concern always honorees some very worthy people or places that do an abundance of good toward curing cancer, and this year The Kallick Family will receive the Lifetime of Giving Award. And Cedars Sinai Cancer will also be acknowledged for their groundbreaking work focused on conquering cancer. (You can read all about the Kallicks and Cedars on the site at the bottom of this preview.)

As far as the festivities go, there are always several stages with wonderful music and dancing opportunities, photo studios, lounges, and casino-style gaming.

But the place where Laura and I head right away is the area where the Beauty Bus Foundation offers various beauty services. Last year, they braided our hair into crazy designs, and in the past, they’ve offered on-site minis.

On top of all that, how often does anybody get to walk around the interesting streets of the Paramount Backlot??? (Well, I’ve been there at least a hundred times in my varied show business career, and often to visit Mr. X on a set. And even more often to visit an executive for lunch, of course. The Paramount Commissary used to have the best tomato soup ever! But I assume that few else of us have been there ever, or any time outside of a previous Block Party.) Laura adored that new-for-her opportunity last year. So don’t forget to look around and take it all in. It’s quite the sight, especially the “sky” wall on the way in.

A fun group of musicians on one of the stages at the 2022 Concern Foundation Block Party. Photo by INAM staff.

I advise you to not eat all day leading up to the Block Party because there will be so many beautiful foods and beverages that you won’t want to miss trying them all. Last year, Laura was impressed with the many vegan and vegetarian options, so she assures you that, no matter your dietary bent, you’ll be stuffed by the end of the evening.

I have two more important suggestions for you for the event. First of all, even though it begins at 6PM, please wear sunscreen! In keeping with the quest of the evening, to cure cancer, let me assure you that skin cancer is every bit as scary as all of the others. I’ve had it twice on my face, and the Mohs surgery to get rid of it is serious. I’ve never again been so negligent to go without sunscreen. Even on overcast days. The few minutes of applying it are never worth rushing through.

One tiny example of one of the treats at a previous Concern Foundation Block Party. Photo by INAM staff.

My other recommendation is that you wear baggy clothing. I’m not kidding—you will eat that much! Even though I’ve spent most of my years in the public eye as a restaurant critic, first on my TV show, then in several newspapers and websites, and now to a lesser extent in this e-zine, most of these eateries are new to me, so I’m really looking forward to sampling their wares.

I hope to see all my readers there tomorrow night. Even if you already have plans, cancel them because you won’t have a better time, or be contributing to a more worthy cause, any place else!

For tickets and more information about the Block Party, in specific, and Concern Foundation, in general, just click here: www.concernfoundation.org/block-party

My co-writer, Laura, and I attended this wonderful and charitable event a few weeks ago, and have been talking about it ever since.

Photo by Chad Villaflores, as is the one at the top of this page.

She had never been to a Concern Foundation Block Party before, but had read my previews and reviews of past ones even before we worked together, and thought it sounded great. (Maybe that’s even why she wanted to help out here on INAM to begin with!!!) And when she read my latest preview last month, she knew that she wanted to be the staff member to accompany me there.

And, within a few minutes of arriving, Laura had already declared it to be the best event she’s ever been to! She tells us, “There was entertainment everywhere you turned. And there were so many food and drink sponsors that we ended up doing a lot of walking. So, in a way, it felt like we were working-off everything we were eating. It made me feel a little less guilty for indulging so much!”

One of the fun performers who entertained all night…on stilts! Photo by Chad Villaflores.

If you’re curious what the party was like this year, you can still read my preview here, because I pretty much did portend everything that happened there: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/upcomingeventcharity-preview-of-the-concern-foundation-2022-block-party.

But the follow-up news is the best: The 2022 Block Party raised well over two million dollars for cancer research! How wonderful is that??? And besides all the fun to be had there, raising that money is the best reason to go to it every year.

The theme this year was Back on the Block, because it, of course, was not able to be held during the two worst years of the pandemic. So we were all happy to be literally back on the block!

And that “block” is Paramount’s super-famous backlot, as always. Even though Laura had grown-up here in LA, she had never been there before, and was astonished. She said, “As someone who has lived in Los Angeles most of my life, I had never gone past the gates of the legendary Paramount Studio. Being able to walk onto the lot where Hollywood history took place (and still does!,) was a magical experience. It made me want to know more about the history of the studio and all of the famous shows and movies that have been filmed there. And this was just the backdrop to what was an incredible event.”

A great view of the Block Party and the Paramount Backlot itself! Photo by Chad Villaflores.

On top of that, we had not been to restaurants for these past two years, so we were happy to see some old favorites there, serving-up their specialties, along with discovering some new ones. (New to us, at least.)

I was thrilled to see my fave Thai place, Emporium, whose dish that night, (vegan and gluten-free curry, which is a three-generational family recipe,) Laura went nuts over. And the pizza from my old pals, Fresh Brothers, hit the spot. My favorite place when red meat was a staple of my diet, Fogo de Chao, was there, as well. (I had only a bite of their chicken this time, but it was quite the treat to even have a taste of their fare!)

The scrumptious mini-burgers from STK. Photo by Chad Villaflores.

I made a red meat exception for the absolute best thing that night, which was gourmet mini-burgers from STK at the W Westwood. OMG! They made me miss red meat all over again.

In the dessert category, Brontë Bakes had the continuous biggest line all night. They let the guests choose several of their famous little cakes at a time, and I have a feeling people even came back for more.

Laura said the whole food section was “like the best all-you-can-eat buffet ever! There was so much to choose from. There were even lots of vegan options,” which I deemed to be really thoughtful.

There were also bands and DJs all over the place, and people were so thrilled to be at this event again that they danced well into the night, just like at a neighborhood block party.

Laura and I were so busy eating, watching the award presentation (which was exactly as I described in my preview, so I hope you read it again,) and meeting and greeting so many old friends who I haven’t seen since B.P. (“before pandemic,”) that we didn’t get to gamble or do some of the other activities on offer. (And all the silent auction items we wanted to bid on had already been grabbed-up by others.)

Photo by Chad Villaflores.

But we had the best time. I also appreciated that there were masks available for anyone who chose to wear one, and little bottles of hand sanitizer all over the place.

I hate using a cliché, but a great time was definitely had by all!

For more information on all the good work done by Concern Foundation, or just to prepare for next year’s Block Party, please visit www.concernfoundation.org.

Concern Foundation’s upcoming annual Block Party, which will be held on Saturday evening, July 9, 2022, is the one event I’m telling my fellow Angelenos to not miss! It’s always the party of the year!

On top of that it’s an unbelievably entertaining fete, the proceeds from the ticket sales benefit one of the most worthwhile causes ever—cancer research. Ticket-holders feel great because they’re helping such a worthy cause while having an unbelievably fabulous time.

The 2019 Concern Foundation Block Party. Photo by Karen Salkin.

I’m thrilled that the Block Party is finally returning after the pandemic; it’s Concern Foundation’s 47th edition of it! I’ve been to several of the recent past ones, which were all fantastic, and therefore I’m looking forward to this one like a kid who can’t wait to unwrap his or her birthday presents!

So let me whet your appetite for the upcoming Block Party, in hopes that you, too, will attend. The more attendees, the more money they raise for all the cancer research.

It takes place on the iconic Paramount Studios backlot in Hollywood. Getting to meander around that location might even be enough for some people. But it gets better. Much better.

The event is an entire evening full of non-stop food and beverages; multiple stages of music, both live and DJed, including at least one stage for the guests to dance on; spa services; photo booths; casino games; presentations; and an incredible auction! My friend bid on and won a signed Derek Jeter jersey a few years ago, (how jealous was I?,) and I’m hoping to procure some Aspen lift tickets, so I can go back there and rectify that humiliating experience I had at a wedding at the top of the mountain many years ago, the tale of which some of you may remember from my TV show.

The overview of the 2019 Block Party taken from the top of the…ferris wheel! (Hence the white bar blocking some of the action.) Photo by Karen Salkin.

There are also always several celebrity sightings along the way, (I’ve seen Herb Alpert and the late Fred Willard in different years,) and lots of happy mingling. No worries if you’re still concerned about that last part–it takes place all outside.

The party has a different theme every year, and this time, it’s very appropriately Back on the Block. I can’t wait to see how they decorate for it. It all begins at 6PM, so we get to see the décor in both the light and the dark, which is perfect for a summer soiree. And I love the title itself; for me, it really evokes the feeling of being on my Brooklyn block in the summers growing up, and I’m sure it will do the same for everyone else whose old “blocks” mean something to them.

Karen Salkin’s newly-polished-at-the-beauty-bar nails, pointing to the fun gaming tables for us. Photo by Karen Salkin’s right hand.

Okay, I know my fellow foodies want to know about all the eateries that will be there. No worries in that category–no one could possibly go away hungry from the Block Party! As fans of my old restaurant review show know only too well, I’m one of the pickiest eaters ever, yet I always find more goodies at this event than at anyplace else. Let’s put it this way—I won’t be weighing myself anytime soon after attending!

The full list is on the Concern Foundation website, (whose link is at the bottom of this page,) and I can tell you that a few of special interest to me will be there, including Mr. X and my favorite sandwiches of all time–Ike’s Love & Sandwiches. Actually, all of my friends love the delicious and creative choices, even my out-of-town peeps! (When a friend was leaving LA after visiting from the east coast for a couple of weeks, I asked what his favorite part of the trip was, because I had knocked myself out taking him everywhere special. His answer? “Ike’s Sandwiches!” I must say, I do agree with him.) The Westwood shop closed due to the pandemic, and when I saw their name on this list, I started getting ready to go to the Block Party right now—two weeks early!!! I can’t wait to see them again! (Well, really more eat them than see them, right?)

There’s also my local neighborhood upscale restaurant, Vibrato, and some of my old pals’ places, including the Drago brothers and Fresh Brothers Pizza. Meat lovers will go nuts for the offerings from Fogo de Chao.

And there are soooooo many more treats and eats in store for us at Concern’s Block Party! There will be more than four dozen restaurants, caterers, and bakeries sharing their wares with us. I can tell you right now–I will definitely not be wearing a figure-hugging dress!!!

Some of the early crowd dancing in 2019. Photo by Karen Salkin.

As you may know, kindness is the most important thing in life to me, (even more so than humor, which, I know surprises some of you who think I live to just entertain,) so I always love Concern Foundation’s presentations at this event. This year’s honorees, who will be receiving the first ever Larry Powell Spirit of Concern Award, (which is named after one of Concern Foundation’s founders,) are Janet Crown and Steve Robinson, who are philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. You have got to read their bios on Concern’s website at the bottom of this page—with everything they have done and still do, they should each be one-hundred-and-fifty-years-old! How can two people accomplish so much kindness in one lifetime?! I especially appreciate that Steve is on the Board of Governors of Cedars-Sinai, the hospital who I credit with literally saving my life!

There’s so much more to tell you about the Concern Foundation Block Party, but I want everyone to experience it all for themselves. Just know that you’ll have the time of your lives. It truly has something there for everyone. I hope to see you all there!

For tickets, sponsorships, and even to bid right now on the already-in-progress silent auction(!), please go to www.concernfoundation.org/block-party.

After my recent fabulous garage sales, during which I noticed just how many items I’ve accumulated that would benefit others more than they do me at this point, I was looking around for a few great charities who would be thrilled to accept my material donations.

And I was very happy to discover a new one, Comfort Companions Inc., that I think is so worthwhile that I’m recommending it to you guys, too, for your own holiday/year-end donations.

Here’s their mission statement: “Comfort Companions Inc. is a charitable, nonprofit organization that provides psychological and comfort care for those undergoing medical rehabilitation or nearing the end of life.  Our mission is to meet the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of vulnerable and traditionally underserved individuals within the health care system from a culturally, medically, and age-sensitive perspective.”

The organization was founded by SoCal’s own Dr. Tracey Burrell, who is an award-winning licensed and published psychologist, along with Director of Marketing and Communications, Noelle Hannibal; sadly, they’re both personally familiar with the needs of so many in the areas listed in their statement. I’ve met these two caring individuals, and totally see why they came up with this wonderful concept for their charity. [Note: That’s Tracey in the big picture at the top of this page, the middle of all the lovely donations from Christmas 2020, when the charity had just begun.]

Since Comfort Companions Inc. is just one year old, they’re especially appreciative of all donations right now, monetary and otherwise, especially for the holidays.

All the presents happily wrapped, awaiting their recipients at a care home last Christmas. This is what YOUR donations will look like THIS year! All images courtesy of Comfort Companions Inc.

Here’s some of what they’d be happy to receive right away:

~ Clothing, including scarves, knit caps, outerwear, wraps, slippers, bathrobes, nightgowns, pajamas, shawls, soft socks with grips, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and sweaters.
~ Electronics, including tablets, radios, televisions, CD players, and digital photo frames.
~ Essentials, such as bath and grooming products. (i.e. lip balm, lotion, scented soap, deodorant, body spray, brush/comb set, aftershave, and cosmetics.)
~ Activities and games, such as jigsaw puzzles, board games, large print activity books, dominos, playing cards, and word search.
~ Art/craft/writing supplies, which means paint, brushes, painting paper, writing pens, coloring pens and pencils, stationery, stamps, address books, knitting and crochet materials, sketchpads, adult coloring books, and crayons.
~ And, of course, lots of blankets.

I’m doing my part to contribute to this worthy organization which is doing their best to make the holidays a bit brighter for their clients. I hope you can follow suit. And I promise that your own holidays will be happier for your kindness.

For more info, and to see how you can help, please go to www.comfortcompanions.org. 

I hadn’t been in New York City for even twenty-four hours when I was lucky enough to attend this Gala for such a worthwhile cause; its raison d’être is to raise funds and awareness to help animals in need.

Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one at the top of this page.

The bigger mission of Rescue Dogs Rock NYC is to rescue homeless dogs, and those already in shelters who are about to be be “put down,” and provide them with immediate emergency care, medical and otherwise. In addition to medical treatments, the animals are rehabilitated by trainers and behavior specialists, which hopefully helps them overcome past traumas.

So, to that end, this event was filled with dog lovers. Some even brought their own canines to it, which I had never seen done anywhere before! Old school actress Sean Young sat right next to me during the cocktail hour, and I didn’t even recognize her because I had eyes for only her pet.

Sean Young bending down by the silent auction, with her canine pal. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Rescue Dogs Rock NYC’s Gala took place at a sort-of mysterious location in NY. I can’t tell you the name of the venue not because it’s super-secret, but because…it doesn’t have one! It’s just an address on Park Avenue. Knowing that story made me enjoy the evening even more.

The giant shrimp offering during the cocktail hour. Photo by Karen Salkin.

But I didn’t even need that help because it was all just beautiful. As we entered the lower lounge for the cocktail hour, there was a line of white-jacketed servers offering glasses of bubbly to kick the evening off right. Very classy opening.

The silent auction began there and moved upstairs to the main dining room when the guests did. But before that shift in location, we were treated to one of the best group of hors d’oeuvres I’ve ever encountered! My friend could not get enough of the giant shrimp, peking duck rolls, crab cake bites, and baby lamb chops, while I went with the comfort of mini grilled cheeses, pigs in blankets, and the most delicious egg rolls I’ve ever tasted.

Karen Salkin (on the left) in a photo booth pic, with a friend.

There was an interesting take on a photo booth down there—a guy walked around with a portable one on a stand, so we never had to make the effort to seek it out ourselves! That was fun.

What made it extra-fabulous was the event staff. Each server really served eager to please. Even the Ladies Room attendant, Robin, was a gem!

After just the right amount of time, we moved back upstairs for the dinner reception. The room was stunning, all bathed in red.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

And the food was even better. I have never in my life had a more perfect menu. The Tuscan Kale and Brussel Sprouts Salad alone was too big for an entree, let alone for the first course! Then the Peruvian Chicken a la Brasa was out of this world. But the pièce de résistance was the dessert—Molten Chocolate Cake served with vanilla ice cream and accompanied by a quartet of seasonal berries. And while we were on the sweet treats portion of the evening, a tiered platter of cookies was placed on each table. The whole thing was just yu-um!

The desserts. Photo by Karen Salkin.

On top of all that, we each received a goodie bag featuring a lovely bottle of wine, in a decorative protective sleeve, on the way out.How generous!

The goodie bags. Photo by Karen Salkin.

But the real reason everyone was there was to find-out more about Rescue Dogs Rock NYC, and support them. The organization’s co-founders, Jackie O’Sullivan and Stacey Silverstein, (whose Michelle Obama arms I would kill for!,) did the honors of explaining how they started it and how far they’ve come since then. Someone that night said of them, “They move their tails so more dogs can wag theirs.” I love that!

Stacey Silverstein and Jackie O’Sullivan. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The interesting thing is that I’ve been talking them up since the gala, and about half the people I rapped to about it have told me that their own dogs are rescues! So it appears that this is a movement that New Yorkers will be happy to support.

To learn more, please visit www.rescuedogsrocknyc.org.

This was my third year in a row that I attended Masters of Taste, which is a one-afternoon food and beverage event that’s not only fun for the literally thousands of attendees but it’s for a charitable cause! All of the proceeds benefit Union Station Homeless Services, which is a nonprofit organization committed to helping the homeless rebuild their lives.  With more and more encampments popping-up all over Los Angeles, (and I do mean all over—even in neighborhoods where you’d least expect it,) this organization’s services are needed more than ever!

Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one at the top of the page.

Knowing that we’re helping others is the best part of the day for me. But let’s be honest here—most people are there for the food and booze and meeting and greeting. So let’s discuss what went on there this year.

Masters of Taste is held on the Rose Bowl field! My friend, Roz, has lived in LA her entire life, but had never been on that iconic field before, so that was one of the most exciting aspects of this event for her. And for me, as well, actually–I’ve been on that turf at least ten times in my life, but I was still excited to do so once again. There’s something so thrilling about it! Roz told me, “I liked the fact that we could walk on such hallowed grounds, and imagine all the touchdowns that have played-out there.”

Photo by Karen Salkin.

It seemed like they had a few more umbrellas this year, thank goodness, but they neglected to place the picnic tables underneath them. (Don’t worry about me, though—I just took care of one myself!) I have a feeling the reason they moved the event up a month, from the usual May date to this year’s beginning of April, is to avoid the heat, which was very smart of them. But then, of course, this year’s event took place on the hottest day of the year so far. When we arrived, it was 87°! That was just in Pasadena; I have a feeling the temperature was even higher on the field! But nobody besides me seemed to mind very much, so it was all good. Roz even had a different take on the heat situation; she said, “The ambiance was very pleasant, and everyone seemed to be enjoying a warm, sunny day at the Rose Bowl.” Talk about seeing the glass half full!!!

One of the very long lines for food. (Note the smartly-monikered trash bins in the middle of this pic.) Photo by Karen Salkin.

It was gratifying to see that so many people were not penny-wise and pound-foolish when it came to Master of Taste. The lines for the hour-early VIP entrance were super-long, even though those tickets were sixty dollars more. But there are very few vendor lines in that one hour, you have a better chance at getting one of the too-few tables, and most importantly for the imbibing visitors, they get that extra hour of unlimited booze! Best of all, since this event is for a very worthwhile cause, it’s a great use of that little bit of extra money. (Keep all that in mind for next year’s extravaganza!)

As a teetotaler, I was very happy to see that lines were much longer for food than for booze! And that many people were smart enough to not drive there themselves when they knew they were going to drink. Good for all of those responsible drinkers!

Gus’ Fried Chicken being cooked. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Sadly for Roz and me, even though we were there for a full three hours, we didn’t get to try many dishes because A) we got full pretty quickly, and B) I don’t stand on lines, so once it got crowded, I couldn’t get to many of the vendors.

But I still sampled about twenty-six of the dozens of eats on offer. Roz was happy to discover that there was some fare for vegetarians, and even a few items for vegans, including a plant-based pizza, (which I thought tasted like cardboard. But doesn’t all vegan food do that???)

The offerings from Pez Cantina. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The most popular booth, by far, was Gus’ Fried Chicken. People waited for the unbelievably spicy succulent breasts for about a half hour!!! Not only were they delicious, but they were eye-popping visuals! And the guys at the booth could not have been nicer.

My personal favorite was Pez Cantina. They served two foods I absolutely love, in general, but their renditions were especially delish. One was posole verde, which is sort-of a Mexican version of chicken soup, and the other was a potato and broccoli taquito. I could have eaten just several servings of those two all day and been very happy.

The chicken “meatball” from Hatch. Photo by Karen Salkin.

My next fave place was Hatch, which was serving two takes on chicken. (Are we getting a clue here that I love chicken?) One was called a chicken meatball, but it looked more like a sausage. It came with a little pouch of a sauce attached; you took it out and squirted it on the “meatball.” The other was a triangle of black fried chicken that was so much more delicious than it looked!

The two best visuals were these: an Italian restaurant dished pasta out of a giant hollowed-out Parmesan block, and another place created ice cream and sorbet right in front of our eyes, using Nitro ice.

Speaking of visuals, I so appreciate that they made the tables pretty, with flowers in vases and arrangements of little oranges on greenery all around them.

And I applaud the Masters of Taste organizers for providing excellently-marked garbage receptacles, for three different situations—compost, recycling, and good old plain trash. I just hope that everyone respected the differences as much as I did!

I was thrilled to see that there was a lot of water on site. A lot of bottles of water. That’s what I had the most of on that hot day. It’s also the most important thing in life, which more people need to realize.

The Nitro ice cream and sorbet being made. Photo by Karen Salkin.

I must commend the staff and team of volunteers for being so pleasant and eager to help. All the ones I ran into were helpful, with smiles, to boot!

I was so happy to meet many of you INAM readers there. Thanks for coming up and saying hi, even though I may not have looked like myself with my hair completely back, and rocking my cooling towel! (But I was also rocking a cupcake necklace and earrings, which I searched long and hard for, so I’m happy that you got to see those little trinkets.)

Let’s all do it again at next year’s Masters of Taste! I’m dieting until then!

After having such a fabulous time at last year’s Masters of Taste, I was thrilled to introduce my new-to-LA pal, Lisa, to this outdoor food and beverage festival that’s staged on the Rose Bowl’s iconic field. She had joined me at that stadium recently for the Press Preview of MOT, but that event took place on the perimeter of the field, not right on it.  So this was a huge treat for her. And for the rest of the guests, as well!!!

Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one of the field, at the top of this page.

In case you’re not familiar with it, Masters of Taste is a giant, super-casual charity event that features food and drinks from over forty restaurants, food trucks, caterers, and beverage purveyors.  It’s really overwhelming, in a great way. Even uber-picky eaters such as myself found very many dishes to enjoy. (The next day, as Lisa and I were on the way home from another fun event, I said, “I wish it was yesterday right now.” When she asked, “Why?,” my answer was, “Because we’d be at Masters of Taste, and I’m craving all that food!”)

Last year, it not only rained on the festivities, it also hailed! But this year the heat was the nature problem—it was blistering. Guess which weather I preferred? Ready? I’d much rather be cool and wet than be in heatstroke. But perhaps that’s just me. Not too many others seemed to mind an awful lot, actually, outside of the guests who were hogging the tables that were under the way too few umbrellas. (Hint, hint for next year, MOT organizers!)

Some of the food trucks at the entrance to MOT, on the top level, including the one I laud below. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The reason some guests didn’t notice the high temperature might possibly be because of the high volume of alcohol sponsors. And I mean that in a good way. Masters of Taste is really a great financial deal for imbibers, (but only if they have someone else drive.) They can drink as much as they want for three to four hours, (depending on if they come early for the VIP entrance,) and the best news about that is there’s plenty of food along the way to make sure no one is drinking alcohol on an empty stomach! That’s important. It’s been pointed-out to me at several cocktail parties this past year that people hate a drinking event that doesn’t also have food, because it’s dangerous to just consume alcohol without anything in your stomach to absorb that substance.  So MOT is the perfect event for partiers!

Chef Tony arranging his panna cottas. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Lisa and I both really enjoyed the majority of dishes that we sampled, but, as always, we did have our favorites. Here are some of them:

Both of our absolute number one fave, which shocked me, was a fruity Tahitian vanilla panna cotta from Spring downtown. If we had sampled nothing else that day, it would have still been a success for us. And I swear, our admiration for that tasty treat did not have anything to do with the attractive chef, Tony! That was just icing on the…panna cotta!

My next faves were a trio of treats from the Eat @ Rollin’ Joe’s food truck, which was actually the first sponsor we saw as we entered the premises. Besides how delicious the mini Mexican offerings were, I really appreciate that Chef Mark and his associate were thrilled when I told them that their food was my second favorite of the day! I have a feeling that most others would have questioned why they weren’t first, so I was extra admiring of them that they were so happy themselves!

Photo by Lisa Politz.

I don’t know if my readers know this about me, but my very first job in LA was at the famous donut shop in Westwood Village.  I haven’t been able to even look at, nor smell, one of those treats-for-others since then! So this pick, Sidecar Donuts and Coffee, is all Lisa’s, although I agree with her assessment that their truck is “adorable, with elegant gold leaf painted atop the white.” She said her huckleberry cake donut with “just enough huckleberry glaze,” and served warm, “really packed-in the flavor.”

And, once again, (as we did at the Media Preview event,) we were ecstatic with not only the delicious desserts from Porto’s Bakery, but with their generosity for giving each guest a platter of three full-sized treats. If you had seen how tiny the bites were from some of the other Sweets Masters, you would know exactly what I’m talking about! (At one booth, people waited on line for a half hour for a dollop, and I really do mean dollop, of ices!!!)

A chicken beignet. Photo by Karen Salkin.

We were also in agreement about two chicken samplings. The very first thing we tried that day was the cleverly named “fried chicken ‘n beignets” (because the chicken is, indeed, in the beignet,) from Maple at Descanso Gardens. Lisa told me it was “heavenly,” and “the most delicious upgrade of chicken ’n waffles.”

The other chicken dish that we became fans of was Poppy + Rose’s buttermilk fried chicken accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes. Lisa said it was “exquisite” and “stole the show.”  She explains that the “chicken was tender and juicy, and the breading super flavorful and crispy.” She deemed this combo to be “tops on my list to try again!”

Karen Salkin, crazily drooling over her ice cream waffle, which…matches her dress!!! Photo by Lisa Politz.

The prettiest presentation of the day was so huge that we couldn’t even come close to finishing it. (I wonder if anybody did.)  The VIPs who were interested received full-sized portions of waffles filled with creamy blue ice cream and a choice of toppings from The Dolly Llama. It was really way too pretty (and humongous) to eat, but the few bites I did try were delish!

I also have to laud the DJs. It seemed to us that there was different music on the field from what was playing on the upper level, right near the entrance. And we liked the music up top much better. Perhaps that was because there was also a breeze blowing through the area, and those tables all had umbrellas, so we were much more physically comfortable in that area.

The best news of the day, though, is that 100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste will benefit Union Station Homeless Services, which is a nonprofit organization committed to helping the homeless rebuild their lives.  What a worthy cause!  Having that knowledge definitely made the food taste even better.

Now I can’t wait till next year to do it all again!  Hope to see every one of my LA readers there.