Proceeds of $100,000 generated from this month’s “Honda Evening
Under the Stars” 29th Annual Gourmet Food & Wine Festival will help pave the way for non-profit
Torrance Memorial’s upcoming renovation to its North Tower to benefit
women’s and pediatric services. That evening Honda also announced
the donation of a 2015 Honda Odyssey van to Torrance Memorial to be used
for the transport of patients on and around campus.
Earlier this year, Honda made a donation for $1 million to go toward Torrance
Memorial’s new Lundquist Tower.
“We are extremely grateful for Honda’s long-standing support
of our mission to serve this community’s health care needs, expressed
not only through Evening Under the Stars, but in a multitude of ways during
the last decade,” Craig Leach, president and CEO, Torrance Memorial
Medical Center, said. “As an independent, non-profit medical center,
we rely on this continued outside support to provide the state-of-the-art
technology and expertise this community expects and deserves.”
He continued, “Evening Under the Stars not only benefits Torrance
Memorial, but the entire community who have the chance to experience the
very best in South Bay cuisine and world-class entertainment. We’re
very proud to be a part of it.”
Hundreds of guests attended the long-standing South Bay tradition Saturday,
August 1, on American Honda’s Torrance campus. The event offered
an enchanting performance by Grammy-winning vocalist Peabo Bryson, as
well as samplings of the South Bay’s best cuisine and more than
80 varietals of wine. Professional sommeliers from The Disneyland Resort
were on hand to educate guests about wine.
This marks the tenth consecutive year Honda has chosen Torrance Memorial
as beneficiary of “Evening Under the Stars. In that time, the event
has raised more than $1 million for Torrance Memorial.
“Evening Under the Stars is Honda’s way of bringing the community
together in a spirit of friendship to help a worthy cause,” said
Steve Morikawa, vice president, Corporate Community Relations, American
Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda and Torrance Memorial serve the same
goal of making the South Bay community a better place to live.”
With 20 albums to his credit, entertainer Bryson became the first artist
in music history to have separate records topping four different charts.
Two songs for Disney animated films earned Bryson two Grammys. The first
was 1991's "Beauty and the Beast" with international pop
singer Celine Dion, which was a number one pop hit. In 1992, he received
another Grammy for "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)"
from “Aladdin,” which he performed with Regina Belle. Both
songs won Oscars for “Best Song.”
As part of the event’s festivities, guests had the opportunity to
participate in a silent auction for exclusive items and experiences, including
entertainment packages, sporting events and memorabilia, dining, travel,
local outings and specialty items.
The following restaurants and beverage partners offered their fare and
tastings at the Festival:
- Alpine Village
- Depot/Buffalo Fire Department
- Disneyland Resort
- Doubletree by Hilton Torrance-South Bay
- Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
- Fresh Brothers
- Gourmet Grindz & The Good Cookies & Beyond
- Hey 19
- Honda Classic/PGA Tour Professional Wines
- ISE-SHIMA at Miyako Hybrid Hotel
- Il Fornaio
- Island Eats Hale Aina
- Kincaid's
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Ortega 120
- Paul Martin's American Grill
- Red Car Brewery & Restaurant
- Rock’n Fish Manhattan Beach
- Shade Hotel
- Smart & Final
- Honda Café
- Sushi Chef Institute
- Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach
American Honda created the Gourmet Food & Wine Festival in partnership
with the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce in 1987 as a way to bring corporate
business, residents and local commerce together with city officials for
a relaxing community celebration.