The Wiley Dinner Series in Los Angeles

The Wiley Dinner Series in Los Angeles is a memory I will cherish for years to come. Not only was the evening filled with incredible women, but it was also shown tremendous, unexpected luck. While it rarely rains in Los Angeles, it rained and rained the evening of our dinner, situated outside on a welcoming, candlelit patio. However, somehow, our neighborhood in particular only received a very light, short sprinkle. We could hardly believe it.

In this moment of luck, we gathered for a sold-out dinner at the beautiful home of Elise Joseph, nestled in the rolling, tree-covered hills of Highland Park. Chef Chloe prepared an absolutely delicious dinner, built around recipes from The Wiley Canning Company Cookbook and farmers’ market finds, that nourished a table of sixteen as the moon rose and the California breeze swept through the evening.

It seems we eluded the passing of time, as we could not bring ourselves to leave one another’s company after many hours of being together. My greatest hope for our dinner was that it would enable us to share nurturing food and nurturing conversation, and Elise and I certainly experienced both throughout this intimate evening.

Our Los Angeles menu was filling, nutritious, and colorful. Chef Chloe remained committed to sourcing from nearby farmers’ markets for our dinner, and this was instantly noticeable as we bit into each dish.

We paired Martha Stoumen’s Honeymoon 2022 and Nero d’Avola Rosato 2022 with our menu. The Nero d’Avola Rosato 2022 in particular was a favorite among guests when paired with Chef Chloe’s Lemony Gigante Beans and Wiley’s Pickled Radicchio.

Elise burned Gorgo Incense by Blackbird throughout her home and treated guests to an interactive, paper fortune teller—one that is visually striking and evocative of childhood memories—coming next month to Duende.

As we gathered, we were surrounded by the floral wonders of Kelly Ross, an artist and friend who is as vibrant as her creations.