Culinary Collaboration for a Cause: ISS and Guckenheimer Raise $125,000 to Support Los Angeles Wildfire Recovery

When wildfires swept through parts of Los Angeles earlier this year, they left a trail of devastation — destroying small businesses, displacing families and upending entire communities. In moments of crisis like these, food often serves a greater purpose beyond a basic necessity; it becomes a source of comfort, a way to foster connection, and a symbol of hope and resilience. Recognizing this, ISS and its culinary services division, Guckenheimer, saw an opportunity to go beyond what they were already doing with feeding first responders and host a purpose-driven, culinary fundraiser to help re-build and restore the hardest-hit communities of Altadena and Pasadena through the unifying power of food.

What was originally planned as a culinary showcase featuring celebrity chef Amanda Freitag evolved in response to the unfolding crisis. In partnership with Karen Hofmann, President of ArtCenter College of Design, ISS and Guckenheimer reimagined the evening as a fundraiser to support recovery efforts for Altadena and Pasadena’s people and businesses. The result was a remarkable collaboration fueled by culinary talent, community spirit and meaningful action.

Honoring Local Landmarks

Two local favorites impacted by the fires — Amara Kitchen and The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop — were central to this effort. The thoughtfully crafted menu for the event included dishes from those institutions, as well as Guckenheimer’s new Zero-Waste Cookbook, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainable and zero-waste food practices. Chef Amanda Freitag and Guckenheimer’s culinary team recreated these dishes as part of the community-driven experience. As Amara Kitchen owner Paola Guasp reflected, “It was a beautiful idea that turned out delicious.”

Connecting Food and Giving

Guests were treated to a multi-sensory evening that featured a cooking demonstration by Chef Amanda Freitag, alongside live and silent auctions that showcased contributions from the local creative and business communities, celebrities and other organizations from across the United States. Held at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, the event drew more than 175 guests, including ISS and Guckenheimer clients; ArtCenter alumni, faculty, patrons and students; and local officials and community leaders.

Amplifying Impact

But the impact of the evening extended far beyond the walls of the ArtCenter. Fundraising totaling $125,000+ benefits the Altadena and Pasadena communities through the ArtCenter Emergency Fund. In addition to the ArtCenter Emergency Fund, Amara Kitchen and The Little Red Hen will benefit from assistance provided by Guckenheimer’s client IKEA, underscoring the far-reaching collaboration that made this event so special.

For ISS and Guckenheimer, this effort represents more than a single event — it reflects a broader commitment to making a positive difference through food. The Los Angeles market holds a special place for our business, as it is home to many of our clients and Placemakers.

We believe in the power of food to connect people, foster resilience and drive meaningful change. This fundraiser was both a testament to that belief and a reminder of the role purpose-driven hospitality can play in healing and re-building communities. When we come together, we can transform a moment of crisis into a moment of hope. Through this unforgettable collaboration, the community took a vital step toward recovery, one dish at a time.

Learn More

Watch a video about the event here.

Read about ISS’ commitment to communities, people and planet here or Guckenheimer’s here.

Download your copy of the Guckenheimer Zero-Waste Cookbook here.