There are only a few events that sincerely steal my heart each year, and AltaMed’s “East LA Meets Napa” is one of them. I love this awesome event for a number of reasons, but the one that really stands out to me is the fact that they donate all proceeds from the event to my local community to help support with health insurance and other services.

AltaMed has been a lending hand in my neighborhood (East Los Angeles) since as far back as I can remember. I have seen their clinics pop up around town, and it gives me great comfort to know they are there if I or any of my neighbors should ever need them.

Then 9 years ago AltaMed started having this annual celebration of bringing delicious food from the East side of Los Angeles and pairing it with some of the best vineyards from Napa Valley. East LA Meets Napa was born, and has been growing every year. This premiere food and wine fundraiser event is one I really enjoy. It is a night of live entertainment, dancing, and of course all the food you can eat and all the wine you can drink! Oh AltaMed how I love you!

A few days ago I had the privilege to preview a few dishes that will be served at the event along with a couple glasses of wine. My tastebuds danced with excitement as I bit into Chichen Itza Restaurant’s panucho , a fried corn tortilla smeared with black bean puree, and topped with turkey and pickled onions. I washed down the meal with homemade aguas de guanabana and chaya! I knew these tastes were just the tip of the iceberg, for the actual event is going to be loaded with many other great dishes as well. With plates being featured from Rivera, Seta, Chalio, Loteria Grill, Portos Bakery, Rocio’s Mole De Los Dioses, and many more.

Here is a little collage of the preview tasting.

This year the event is going to take place on Friday July 18th, 2014 at Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. It promises to be a beautiful evening and I’m going to be there!

Get your tickets for AltaMed’s East LA Meets Napa here! Hope to see you there!

For those Mexican food-lovers in the Southern California area, there is an amazing annual event coming up, the East LA Meets Napa gala organized by AltaMed.  I highly recommend it!  This event brings the tastiness of local Latino owned Mexican food restaurants and wine that is made in Northern California, Napa to be exact.  I had the pleasure of attending a preview tasting for the event at Loteria Grill a few days ago and let me tell you I made sure I had a bite of everything it had to offer.  I attended East LA Meets Napa last year and wouldn’t miss it for the world this year.  I am so proud of AltaMed for providing many underserved communities with quality care for the past 41 years.  This organization continues to prosper and grow bringing more people/families the health care they need.  Support this amazing event by buying a ticket now.  It’s a win win.  You won’t be sorry because the food is amazing, the wine is sublime and all proceeds go to getting more people healthcare by AltaMed.

Chef Jimmy Shaw was a gracious host and his Tacos Bilingue were some of the best tacos I’ve ever tasted.  Beef tongue and pork tongue divided by a slice of avocado.  These are the tacos I’ll be looking out for!

It all takes place at Union Station (800 N Alameda St in Los Angeles) Friday, July 19th from 6p.m. to 9p.m. For tickets, click here!

Here are a few photos from last years event.  Hope to see you there!

Last week I stepped into Playa restaurant for a tasting of an exciting event that AltaMed is hosting later this month.  They are putting on an all out gala “East LA Meets Napa” at Union Station (800 N Alameda St in Los Angeles) Friday, July 20th from 6p.m. to 9p.m.  Bringing together the richness of Mexican food and success of Latino-owned restaurants and vineyards in California.  The ticket will allow you to sample some amazing dishes and taste all the squashed grapes from Northern California.  The preview proved to be very delish with samples  from Chef Rocio Camacho from Rocio’s Moles de Los Dioses, Chef Hugo Molina from Seta Dine: Lounge, Chef John Rivera-Sedlar from Rivera Restaurant and Playa Restaurant, and wines from Black Coyote, Alex Sotelo Cellars, and Gustavo Thrace.  This was just a sneak preview and it was just enough to wet my palate and leave me begging for more.  Wild horses couldn’t keep me from attending East LA Meets Napa this year after the gorgeous food I had.  This is NOT an event you’ll want to miss either.  Plus you’ll feel great knowing all proceeds from East LA Meets Napa will benefit AltaMed Health Services.

 AltaMed has also teamed up with author Sergio C. Muñoz, Jr. for a release of their new book “In Their Own Words II” where local Latino chefs and restaurant owners share inspiring stories along with traditional recipes.  On Thursday, July 19th from 6p.m. to 9 p.m. a fun book release party will be had in honor of the new publication.  El Cholo Restaurant in Pasadena will host this unique event.  The event will include a brief program featuring readings and remarks from the owners of El Cholo and the writer, Sergio C. Muñoz, Jr. of Intelatin along with AltaMed. Expect lots of food, wine and music.  Grab your tickets while you can.

To buy tickets for either or both events visit: www.eastlameetsnapa.com

Here are a few pictures from the preview sampling:

Let me end by saying I am so proud of AltaMed for providing many underserved communities with quality care for the past 40 years.  This organization continues to prosper and grow bringing more people/families the health care they need.