WestHollywoodToday: Recap of 6th Annual Stu and The Kid’s "Flavors of Asia"

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Recap of 6th Annual Stu and The Kid’s "Flavors of Asia"

#StuAndTheKids #FlavorsOfAsia
Photos by Karen Ostlund

Thai dancers at Vibiana, Aug.4

Sunday August 4th,the 6th annual Stu and The Kid’s "Flavors of Asia" food fest fundraiser returned to Los Angeles and Vibiana's Cathedral with Thai-flavored food & wine.

Chef Stuart Skversky

The event was was hosted by Chef Stuart Skversky and his friends, who gave attendees a rare chance to experience original dishes created by Los Angeles’ Asian-food-loving chefs expressed through Far East influences.
In 2009, Stuart Skversky, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and rising-star chef, made a dramatic life change by giving up a promising culinary career in Los Angeles to move to Chiang Mai, becoming a full-time volunteer at the Wat Don Chan (a local Buddhist temple), teaching local children English, cooking and baking. He recognized a need to help prepare these at-risk Hill Tribe kids following their graduation, and to prepare them for adulthood.
Funds raised go directly to the children’s education, school uniforms, supplies, housing, food and tuition for higher education.
Stu and The Kids has raised over $658,000 for the charity in total, including last year’s record of $164,000 accumulated from the Los Angeles festival, in addition to fundraising on the east coast and online donations during 2018.

All of the proceeds from the event were used towards scholarships for university education to help underserved and orphaned Hill Tribe kids in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Tender Greens, shrimp toast

Among the participating chefs for this year’s event were hosts Neal and Amy Fraser, Vibiana; Walter and Marguerite Manzke, République; Hugo Bolanos, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air; Eric Klein, Wolfgang Puck Catering; Eric Bost,Auburn; Gilberto Cetina, Chicken Itza, Holbox; Matt Lee, Restaurant 917; Jason Neroni, The Rose Café; Sherry Yard,The Tuck Room; Warren and Rose Schwartz, Magpies Softserve; Mei Lin, Nightshade; Food Network’s Jet Tila; Sarintip "Jazz" Singsanong, Jitlada; and Chef/Author Robert Danhi.

Wolfgang Puck Catering, sweet banana, rice milk, Jellyfish

Ayara :Thai crispy rice salad

Sinner and Saints desserts

Singha soda water and LEO beer

Beverages are plentiful to pair with spicy food and this year’s top-shelf purveyors list features a Thai-inspired cocktail made by tipple-smith Joshua Lucas and crisp summer selections from Bodega Wine Bar. Singha and Leo are featured Thai beers and Winebow Fine Wine+Spirits includes a fantastic range of wineries. Non-alcoholic choices are supplied by Herb + Orchard’s ready-made water infusions and Stu and The Kids famous fresh Coconut Bar.
The Flavors of Asia Food Fest fundraiser also showcased the exotic Thai culture. Guests experienced an educational presentation, activities for all ages including a vivid display of Northern Thai umbrellas and lanterns from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, performances of Thai music and an authentic Muay Thai boxing demonstration.
The silent auction was benefiting Stu and The Kids, and offered photography of Chiang Mai locations, hand-made Hill Tribe bags and silver jewelry, gift baskets, autographed cookbooks and dinners at many of Los Angeles’ best restaurants. StuAndTheKids.org