Sold-Out Gourmet Pop-Up Series Continues as SVMOW Marks 35th Anniversary
Montage Exec Pastry Chef & Food Network’s Last Cake Standing Winner Richard Ruskell Presented a V.I.P. Baking Class at SVMOW Birthday Celebration
Reprising one of its epicurean initiatives from 2011, St. Vincent Meals on Wheels launched its 2012 Culinary Cause series with a special V.I.P baking class presented by Montage Beverly Hills Executive Pastry Chef Richard Ruskell on Thursday, March 1. The Food Network Last Cake Standing winner offered his professional tips of the trade preparing hand-decorated cupcakes with hosts and hostesses of the 2012 Culinary Cause series, which features top Angeleno chefs presenting their gourmet meals in various settings and venues for a select number of SVMOW supporters. Following the exclusive master class, the Montage Residences hosted a “birthday” reception for SVMOW kicking off a sequence of celebrations marking its 35th anniversary of service to the Los Angeles community. In addition to providing nutritious meals to homebound and hungry seniors throughout L.A., SVMOW also offers personal touches on special occasions, such as delivering birthday cakes and holiday gifts to its clients.
“We cannot think of a sweeter, Springtime start to our 35th anniversary year, and are very grateful to Chef Ruskell and the Montage Beverly Hills for hosting us and launching our 2012 Culinary Cause series,” noted Sr. Alice Marie Quinn, DC, Founder and Director of SVMOW, adding that, as with the 2011 series, SVMOW will have the generous support of some of L.A.’s most in-demand chefs, including Jeremy Berlin of Church & State. Proceeds from Culinary Cause events go directly to fund SVMOW’s vital programs. Among the other celebrated, L.A.-area chefs who have supported the “Cause” are Michael Fiorelli of mar’sel at Terranea Resort, Joseph Miller of Joe’s Restaurant, Evan Kleiman of the iconic Angeli Caffe, Christian Schmidt of Terranea Resort, Jon Shook of Animal, Sean Conway and Jason Bowlin from Catch at Hotel Casa Del Mar, and Robert Sarstedt, formerly of Craig’s.
SVMOW: St. Vincent Meals On Wheels, the largest privately-funded organization of its kind in the country, serves over 4,700 meals a day, 365 days a year. The meals are prepared daily in the 16,000 square foot, state-of-the-art kitchen located at the Saint Vincent Medical Center Campus. Annually, over 1.1 million meals are prepared and delivered to people in Los Angeles, including homebound senior citizens, disabled and terminally ill patients and homeless adults and children.
CULINARY CAUSE: Culinary Cause, an extension of SVMOW’s Cart For A Cause, is a series of exclusive, Pop-Up Gourmet dining events in Los Angeles benefitting St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. Events feature complete, multi-course meals, created and prepared by a host of popular, talented L.A. –area chefs. Dinners are intimate and seating is limited, based on selected locations.
CHEF RICHARD RUSKELL Chef Ruskell joined Montage Beverly Hills as Executive Pastry Chef after five years overseeing bakery operations for the three dining venues at Montage Laguna Beach, including the signature restaurant Studio. Previously a baking instructor and chef at the New England Culinary Institute, Ruskell has also held esteemed tenures as the owner and operator of Pastry Maxine in Scottsdale, chef patissier at The Phoenician in Phoenix and pastry apprentice at Hotel Gray d’Albion’s Le Royal Gray Restaurant in Cannes, France.
Now a five-time Food Network Challenge winner and named one of the “Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America” by Chocolatier magazine, Ruskell’s culinary repertoire has allowed him to distinguish himself as one of the few pastry chefs who can truly do it all. Most recently, Chef Ruskell was awarded the title “Best Cake Artist in America” for winning the Food Network show, Last Cake Standing.
THE MONTAGE BEVERLY HILLS: Literally steps from the incomparable shopping and dining of Rodeo and Canon Drives, the Montage Beverly Hills is a celebration of its legendary setting. Business and leisure pursuits are equally at home thanks to Montage’s coveted location, unmatched ambiance and highly personalized service. 
Exuding vintage Hollywood style paired with modern luxury, Montage Beverly Hills offers the best of both worlds. Sophisticated, inviting and reflective of its glamorous Beverly Hills setting, this urban oasis is set in the midst of a vibrant city. Distinctive amenities include award-winning cuisine, a 20,000-square-foot spa and an iridescent rooftop pool with panoramic views.
Seconds from Rodeo Drive, Montage Residences Beverly Hills offers condominiums with a legendary Golden Triangle address. Crowning this Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond and Gold LEED®- certified hotel, each residence ranges from two- to five-bedrooms and 2,000 to 5,700 square feet.