The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) will celebrate its 20th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on February 26 at the newly re-designed West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles.
Sir Elton John and David Furnish will host the gala event sponsored by Chopard, Neuro and Wells Fargo. This year celebrity chef Cat Cora will prepare a special menu to be served to guests seated to watch a live telecast of the 84th Academy Awards. Following dinner, Grammy nominated Foster the People will take the stage to perform.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party is the most highly visible and successful fund-raising event in Hollywood on Oscar night. Over the past 20 years, this annual event has raised millions of dollars thanks to the generosity of the Foundation’s supporters. The money raised is used to increase EJAF’s investments in its grant-making initiatives, which support HIV prevention and treatment programs, stigma reduction efforts, and direct services to persons living with HIV/AIDS, especially marginalized populations with special needs.
This annual event has historically attracted the biggest names from the culinary community to prepare dinner for guests and this year is no exception. Celebrity chef Cat Cora, supported by Los Angeles Crumble Catering, will prepare an exquisite 5-course meal for guests that will include sesame encrusted lamb meatballs with harissa yogurt, sauteed sea bass with lemon couscous and piquillo pepper saffron sauce, and chocolate budino with whipped cream and fresh berries. Cat Cora made television history when she became the first and only female Iron Chef on The Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” has authored three top-selling cookbooks, and opened three restaurants including Cat Cora’s Kitchen, which opened in April 2012.
Following dinner Grammy nominated Foster the People will perform for guests. Best known for their hit single “Pumped Up Kicks” off their debut album Torches, this trio will have guests moving to their towering choruses, gut-leveling lyrics and rhythmic beats.
This year’s event co-chairs include Ted Danson & Mary Steenburgen, Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi, David Geffen, Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka, Hugh Jackman & Deborah-Lee Furness, Quincy Jones, Baz Luhrmann, Eric McCormack, Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne, Tyler Perry, Sharon Stone, Steve Tisch and Steven Tyler.
