Native Foods Blog: Ellen, Portia and Me!

The 23^rd Genesis Awards (a quick yet stimulating synopsis) by Holladay Allen, Tanya's right hand at Native Foods Westwood Village

My second go round at the Genesis Awards was a delight indeed. I arrived at the Beverly Hills Hilton and met up with my lovely dates for the evening, Kelly and Wiletta. After creeping past the red carpet, we proceeded immediately to the silent auction where we sipped champagne and browsed through the wide array of prizes. There were beauty products of both the animal and human variety, luxury trips, designer duds and even a wild ride in a patrol car (with real policemen!). After a little mingling, we were ushered into the ballroom for a delicious three-course dinner followed by the presentation of the awards. The very talented Tal Ronnen, amazing vegan chef and friend of Tanya’s, created the dinner menu. The actual show reminds me of a highlight (and lowlight) reel covering the ups and downs the animal rights community throughout the year.

This year’s hot (yet hard, if not impossible, to swallow) topics were the continuing Canadian seal hunt, the underground horsemeat market, and the never-ending dog fighting circles. The nominated news reports showed graphic and disturbing images from around the globe, the kind that that get your blood pumping and the tears flowing. But just when you think your fingernails are going to tear through your angrily clenched palms as your cruelty-free mascara is streaking down your tear soaked face like war paint, they hit you with a victory. Though never enough, the victories were abundant in 2008. From the passing of Proposition 2 in California to the ban of ivory on Ebay, the Humane Society has shown that a small (but growing exponentially everyday) group of people really can change the direction of the world.

Two of the key players in the passing of Proposition 2, Ellen Degeneres and Portia DeRossi received the prestigious Gretchen Wyler award (named after the founder of the Genesis Awards). They gratefully accepted the award commenting on their personal decisions to embrace veganism. Like so many converts, Skinny Bitch opened their eyes. After the show, the herd migrated to the after party. The guests nibbled on after dinner hors d’oeuvres and petite pastries while gambling (for the cause man) and cuttin’ a rug. Heather Mills was one of the first on the dance floor with Wiletta right on her heels. I think Wiletta danced for two hours straight! Happy and exhausted, we collected our swag bags, checked out the winners of the silent auction, and (deheeled and barefoot) made our ways home.

Oh, the swag bag! One of the 1st questions I get: a DVD of the doc Saving Luna, a plush white seal, a book called African Critters and facial serum by Prai to mention a few!

Comments

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Excellent run down and description of the night Holladay!!! Being my first Genesis Awards dinner I was not sure what to expect. I thought how they presented this very tough to watch material was very well done. It does make me want to keep up the good fight!

You and Wiletta were most fun and excellent dates. Dancing with Wileta was a highlight. I look forward to the next one and your help with the silent auction, which I will keep silent!!!

Thanks Tanya for making that night happen!!

Love,
Kell

Posted by: Kelly Erwin | 04/04/2009 at 07:09 PM

I have been meaning to post for months now! My husband & I attended one of Tanya's cooking classes in Costa Mesa back in June and it changed the way we ate from that point on! Cheers to bringing AMAZING vegan dishes to our neighborhood and our home. By the way I cook from your cookbook almost every night!

Posted by: Desiree Bettencourt | 08/27/2009 at 04:51 PM