Hollywood Goes Organic

Healthwell.com 8dec00

Organic foods made a flashy debut in Tinseltown this week at the 10th Annual Environmental Media Awards, where environmentally conscious Hollywood celebrities—including Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Newton John and Chevy Chase—were recognized for their “green” efforts during a four-course, all-organic dinner prepared by some of L.A.’s top celebrity chefs.

During the event, held at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar and co-hosted by “Just Shoot Me” television hit series stars Wendy Malick and David Spade, chefs preparing the evening’s meal in a tent outside the hangar spoke to the crowd via live video about the organic ingredients and recipes they’d chosen. Whole Foods Markets and Earthbound Farms were sponsors of the dinner for 800, providing certified organic ingredients for everything from the passed hors d’ouevres to the heirloom vegetable salads, main courses—including a vegan option—and desserts. Bonterra Vineyards and Wolavers beer provided the organic libations for the evening, and Trinity Springs water and Allegro coffee were also served.

“As an environmental organization, we feel it is hypocritical to offer a rubber-chicken meal,” said EMA’s executive director, Debbie Levin. “We believe eating is an environmental activity.”
The Environmental Media Association recognizes stars who have used their fame and power to influence environmental awareness. In an effort to practice what they preach, the EMA took the “green” event to a new level this year with the certified-organic dinner. They also generated solar power for the event with presenting sponsor BP Solar and recycled all materials used, including composting leftovers and donating the surplus of produce to Angel Harvest, a nonprofit organization that serves 40 food banks in the Los Angeles area.