On the Town: Las Candelas supporters spread the ‘Love’

“Surrounded by Love” was the theme of Las Candelas’ 62nd Benefit Fashion Show, Luncheon and Boutique. Close to 650 members and guests packed the Academy Ballroom of the Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel to share the love.

On March 2, the day started early with a reception and boutique of more than a dozen vendors plying their sparkling wares to sparkling customers. The goodies went from rhinestone-encrusted evening purses and jewelry to silk scarves and evening dresses.

Business was also brisk with the purchases of opportunity-prize drawing tickets. A favorite item was a South Coast Plaza shopping extravaganza with lunch at Marche Moderne, all valued at $3,000.

These Las Candelas ladies know what they’re doing, and with two years between benefits, they have plenty of lead time. Using skills worthy of a Fortune 500 executive, event co-chairwomen Bobbi Gangi and Diane Russell were gently supervised by Jeannnie Flint, the organization’s president.

Las Candelas members devote much time to the organization. At the top of the brief program, Flint recognized the volunteer hours of longtime active members Ann Ways, having served for 40 years, Marilyn Butler for 37 years and Marian Corbett for 36 years.

Lunch was then served, beginning with a warm goat cheese, asparagus tart. Barely had the first fork dipped into a tart, when the ballroom lights went down and the music came up. The fashion show began with more than a dozen sleek models prancing down the runway. This year, Ali Rahimi featured his designer collection of evening gowns.

Following the fashion show, lunch continued with a salad of chicken breast, field greens and pears — all the better to fit into Rahimi’s stylish dresses.

Meanwhile, after festivities came to an end, the boutique continued their land-office business. The sale of opportunity-prize tickets, 25% of the boutique proceeds and the $135 luncheon fee brought in proceeds in the neighborhood of $100,000.

The funds will help support Las Candelas’s mission to provide care and enrichment to emotionally challenged children through Hillsides in Pasadena and Hathaway-Sycamores in Altadena. Glendale organizations benefiting are Didi Hirsch, Ascencia, Glendale Healthy Kids and the YWCA.

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Altadena resident makes good. That’s Spanish chef Manuel Lopez. He’s just beginning a series of cooking classes in the local area. From paella to tapas, Lopez knows his business.

On a recent Sunday evening in a borrowed La Cañada mansion, the chef entranced 12 paella lovers with his culinary skills. Although students chopped, sliced and diced, it was Lopez who created the magic. Using a large skillet, just right for paella, Lopez demonstrated how to make the rice dish. Added were chicken, shrimp and mussels. Peas were tossed in for color.

Two local sisters and their mother were among the first to sign up for the class, called “The Paella Artisan’s Workshop.” La Crescenta resident Christine Pendergraft was the ringleader. She “wanted to try something new” and talked the others into joining her. Sister Candace Shin from Glendale signed on next. At that point, mom Sunny Shin was easy to persuade. The three had never tried paella before, but were eager to learn how to make it.

Lopez told his students that he started cooking at 14 years old in Spain. In the 1980s, he came to the United States. His first job was cooking at La Scala in Beverly Hills.

Today, Lopez caters events, is a private chef, a vendor at the Wednesday morning farmer’s market in Altadena and teaches cooking.

He has also dipped his ladle into fundraising. Recently, the Aveson Global Leadership School in Altadena wanted to plant a tree. All that was missing was the money to do it. Lopez was familiar with the school since it’s near the farmer’s market. When the parents of the K-12 students approached him for help, Lopez couldn’t refuse.

Parents sold $10 tickets to the chef’s food that would ordinarily sell for $13 a plate. The $3 difference in price for each ticket went to the school.

The announcement all were waiting for was finally pronounced by Lopez, “Let’s eat.” Ample portions of paella were gobbled down. No little samples in this class. Each student received a dinner-sized plate piled high.

“A Spanish Tapas-Making Experience” is the next series of classes taught by the chef. Go to www.thepaellaartisan.com for the details.

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RUTH SOWBY RANDS may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.