Annual American Wine and Food Festival Raises Millions for Meals on Wheels

Prestigious chefs and businesses donate time and resources to the popular event benefiting Los Angeles-area meal delivery programs.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The annual American Wine and Food Festival, founded in 1982 by Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff, has raised over $15 million for Meals on Wheels Programs of Los Angeles. The festival features renowned chefs, gourmet food and wine, and draws thousands of attendees each year despite steep ticket prices, as the proceeds go to an important cause serving homebound seniors and disabled individuals.

Why it matters

The American Wine and Food Festival is a longstanding charitable event that has made a significant impact on supporting vital meal delivery services for vulnerable populations in the Los Angeles area. The festival's success highlights the power of collaboration between celebrity chefs, local businesses, and the community to address critical needs.

The details

This year's festival was held on the Universal Studios backlot and featured an array of culinary offerings from prestigious chefs like Floyd Cardoz, Paul Prudhomme, Jasper White, Dean Fearing, and Charles Phan. While some chefs adjusted their menus due to the hot weather, the food and drinks served were universally praised. The event also included a cocktail lounge, a raw bar, and playful fare like corn dogs and frozen bananas from Nancy Silverton's Mozza.

  • The American Wine and Food Festival has been held annually since 1982.
  • This year's festival took place on September 25, 2010.

The players

Wolfgang Puck

Co-founder of the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation, which has raised millions for Meals on Wheels Programs of Los Angeles through the American Wine and Food Festival.

Barbara Lazaroff

Co-founder of the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation, which has raised millions for Meals on Wheels Programs of Los Angeles through the American Wine and Food Festival.

Meals on Wheels Programs of Los Angeles

An extraordinary and vital service serving thousands of meals every day to homebound senior and disabled people in the Los Angeles area.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The American Wine and Food Festival's longstanding success in raising millions for Meals on Wheels Programs of Los Angeles demonstrates the power of collaboration between celebrity chefs, local businesses, and the community to address critical needs and make a tangible difference in people's lives.