Beverly
Hills Turns 100 In Style
The
Centennial Block Party Celebrating the 100th Birthday of Beverly
Hills was overflowing with people on three blocks of Rodeo Drive.
Sponsors for the birthday party included Guittard, Luxe Rodeo
Hotel, Beverly Hills Centennial Committee, Rodeo Drive Committee,
Rolex, Geary's of Beverly Hills and Mercedes Benz of Beverly Hills.
Exquisite Beverly Hills Birthday Cake
by Guittard Executive Chef Donald Wressell
The
centerpiece of the event was the Guittard Chocolate Cake donated
by Efrem Harkham, founder of Luxe Hotels, who provided tastes
on Rodeo and also hosted celebs in the penthouse of his lovely
Rodeo Drive Hotel, where Chef David Padilla and his staff offered
cold and hot appetizers, fresh chucked oysters with lemon, mini-burgers
and a variety of wines and champagnes, including organic choices.
There was a room with a soft drink and soda bar, as well as a
table filled with candies for the children, and a popcorn vendor.
Mayor Lili Bosse Welcomes All to Share in the Centennial Birthday
Cake
The
one-of-a-kind Guittard Company cake depicting City Hall and Rodeo
Drive was prepared by Executive Chef Donald Wressell and his pastry
team was 10 feet high, 15 feet wide, and 20 feet long. It was
designed to serve more than 15,000 slices to the community and
visitors. According to Wressell "it was seven months in the
making." "We are thrilled to work with the Rodeo Drive
Committee and Guittard to honor the City of Beverly Hills on this
important day in history," said Efrem Harkham. The cake featured
a perfect replica of Beverly Hills City Hall, with artistic colored
candy palm trees, and surrounded by beautiful colored candy gift
bags and flowers.
The
crowd was filled with excitement as Mayor Lili Bosse, Efrem Harkham,
Luxe Rodeo Hotel, Martha Reeves, Chef Wressell & Team, and
members of the City Council cut the cake and the Guittard servers
began serving cake to thousands of guests, who all loved it!
Marcus Mueller, Luxe Rodeo GM, Chef Donald Wressler,
Guittard and Mayor Lili Bosse
The
recipe for this amazing cake included 262 lbs of cake flour, 460
lbs. of granulated sugar, 56 lbs. of Guittard Collection Etienne
"Cacao Rough" Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 900 eggs. 110
qts. Of buttermilk, 210 lbs. of butter, 280 tbs. Guittard Collection
Etienne Unsweetened Chocolate Baking Bars 100 percent Cacao, 135
lbs. Guittard Collection Etienne Semisweet Chocolate Bars 64%
Cacao, 360 lbs. of powdered sugar, 40 lbs. of Guittard Collection
Etienne White Chocolate wafers 31 % Cacao, 55 lbs. Guittard Collection
Etienne Semisweet Chocolate wafers 61% Cacao. The Beverly Hills
Courier has a delicious recipe for a home version by Executive
Chef Wressell. www.bhcourier.com.
Serving 15000 Pieces of Birthday Cake
The
extraordinary day also offered carnival rides, a "Taste of
Beverly Hills," sponsored by American Express, with bites
from the City's legendary restaurants including the The BLVD in
The Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons, The Polo Lounge in The Beverly
Hills Hotel, The Grill on the Alley, Wolfgang Puck's CUT and Spago
Restaurants, The Montage Hotel, Mr. Chow, M Café, 208 Rodeo,
On Rodeo Bistro & Lounge-Luxe Rodeo Hotel, Sprinkles desserts,
Via Alloro, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse. Also, Water from BH902HO
and beverages from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf was served. Proceeds
from the party went to benefit the City of Beverly Hills Charitable
Foundation.
R&B legend Martha Reeves cuts the cake with
Mayor Lili Bosse and Luxe Founder Efrem Harkham
The
main stage featured a 20-piece dance band and R&B legend Martha
Reeves, who performed Dancin' in the Street, and Arthur Murray
dancers inspired everyone to get out there and shake it. Their
were also a collection of fun Beverly Hills games for families
to enjoy. The Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau provided
copies of the Beverly Hills Centennial Cookbook to guests.
The
evening ended with a beautiful fireworks display from a Rodeo
Drive rooftop, and it certainly will be a celebration night no
one will ever forget.
Bonnie Carroll
www.lifebitesnews.com