Devoted to children
A far cry from the usual charity dinner, Nov. 11’s Baby2Baby Gala featured a lavish array of food stations that lined the voluminous and elegantly candlelighted interior of 3Labs in Culver City.
“I have to say I’m absolutely so stunned and impressed by this event,” said Gwyneth Paltrow, the night’s honoree, thanking the chefs from onstage. “Normally it’s a bit of a rubber-chicken thing and an In-N-Out on the way home. Not today.”
Restaurateurs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo of Animal and Jon & Vinny’s coordinated the more than 20 food stations.
The event: The Baby2Baby Gala raised about $4 million, a record-setting amount for the black-tie affair, which was presented by Paul Mitchell. Money will go toward providing diapers, clothing and other basic essentials to babies and children in need.
The crowd: As star-studded a soiree as there is in Los Angeles, the event had Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Kristen Bell, Nicole Richie and Tom Ford participating in the ceremonies. The audience included Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldana, Eiza Gonzalez, Busy Philipps, J.J. Abrams, Kelly Rowland and Sterling K. Brown.
The quote: “I think it’s beyond description that there are children in our city a few miles away who are going to bed tonight hungry, without diapers. It’s unconscionable at this point,” Paltrow said.
“We’re living in very interesting times, and I think we really need to rely on each other — on our empathy — in order to go into our communities and help and lift each other up.”