LOS ANGELES, CA, August 26, 2026 –Alice Waters, who built her name on the beliefs that good food is a matter of dignity and access, and that a farmer’s harvest should never go to waste, will be honored at Food Forward’s Tomorrow’s Table. The October 6 event will convene the local culinary community and food equity leaders to raise awareness around food insecurity and preventing food waste. Waters will also serve as the event’s Chef Chair. Food Forward is a Southern California-based organization that recovers surplus produce and redistributes it to hunger relief partners free of charge.
“Building equitable food systems has been my life’s mission. I am honored to join Food Forward, whose 17-year journey has shown that produce recovery is where good food finds its purpose,” said Alice Waters, chef and author.
LA Philanthropist, Emily Parker, Executive Director of the Butterfly Equity Foundation, is an honoree alongside Alice. Brian Lazarus, Food Forward Board Member, is the event’s Chair. Alex Weiser, from Weiser Family Farms, a Ventura homestead of 45 years, and longtime partner with Food Forward, will serve as the event’s Farmer’s Chair.
“Alice and Emily are longtime leaders in the fight for nutrition equity and food access. Food Forward has always stood for advancing nutrition, while mitigating the damaging effects of food waste on our environment. I can think of no better way than Tomorrow’s Table to partner with chefs, growers, and community leaders to celebrate this movement, and continue to get fresh fruits and vegetables to the people that need them the most,” said Rick Nahmias, Founder and CEO, Food Forward.
Southern California grows most of the country’s fruits and vegetables. Over one-third of this food ends up in the waste stream each year, emitting greenhouse gases and wasting precious resources. In Los Angeles County alone, nearly 1 in 4 residents experience food insecurity. Food Forward bridges this gap, diverting surplus produce to hunger relief partners serving communities navigating food and nutrition insecurity.
About Tomorrow’s Table:
Presented by Food Forward, Tomorrow’s Table is a benefit that supports communities in need, bringing together eminent culinary voices and leaders in the future of food recovery.
Chef partners for the event include:
Chef Emily Laurae Carter, Chef Katie Chin, Chef Clémence de Lutz of Petitgrain Boulangerie / Petitpain et Chocolat, Chef Michelle Lainez, Chef Debbie Lee of Yi Cha LLC, Chef Raquel Rodriguez of Seedy, Chef Alan Sanz of Mirate / Daisy, Chef Brad Willits of Hatchet Hall, and Chef Dara Yu, as well as more to be announced.
Matthew Biancaniello will be mixologist for the evening.
Our generous in-kind partners providing beverages and ingredients for the evening include: Callisto Tea House, Smog City Brewing Co., Tehachapi Heritage Grain Project, Tuyyo Foods, Weiser Family Farms, and YUZUCO.
About the Event Honorees and Chairs:
Alice Waters is a chef, author, food activist, and founder of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California. She has been a champion of local, organic agriculture for over four decades. In 1995, with a background in Montessori education, she founded the Edible Schoolyard Project at Berkeley’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. Applying the Montessori philosophy of learning-by-doing, the program uses an organic garden and on-site kitchen classroom to teach all academic subjects. The Edible Schoolyard Project model has been replicated in over 6,000 schools around the world.
Emily Parker is the Executive Director of the Butterfly Equity Foundation, a foundation that is committed to supporting food equity in Los Angeles County. Emily previously worked in grants management and operations at Fundamental, a Los Angeles-based philanthropic advising firm. Most recently, Emily was the Director of Development for Food Forward. Emily serves as the Treasurer of the Board for Safe Place for Youth, is on the Membership Committee for Sustainable Agriculture & Food System Funders, leads the LA Food Funders, and is a former member of the LA County Food Equity Roundtable and Food as Medicine Taskforce.
Alex Weiser of Weiser Family Farms, longtime Ventura staple, is a leader creating a biodiverse farm using sustainable farming techniques to supply unique fruits and vegetables at their peak. Today, Weiser Family Farms cultivates high-quality produce year-round.
BENEFIT DETAILS
Event Date and Time:
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 6PM
Location:
Playa Studios, 11260 Playa Crescent, Culver City, CA
Tickets, Sponsor, and Auction Information:
https://foodforward.org/events/tomorrows-table/
Fundraising auction details to be announced. Online bidding opens Friday, September 25, 2026.
VISUALS:
Photographs will be taken at the event, and are available upon request.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Food Forward leadership; benefit Honorees, Chairs, and event partners, upon request.
MEDIA CONTACT:
For media inquiries, or to schedule interviews, please contact Laura Coholan at [email protected] or (213) 806-0020.