This past Sunday on a unseasonably sultry afternoon in Studio City, over 800 foodies gathered to enjoy the fall/winter fixings from some of our city's hottest chefs at the 23rd Annual Great Chefs of L.A., a benefit hosted by comedian George Lopez which raised $150,000 for the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California. But with the event under a blazing sun on the CBS lot, everyone -- chefs to guests -- found themselves battling with the heat. Chefs Ben Ford (Ford's Filling Station) and Govind Armstrong (8 oz.) ducked under a breezy porch with their wine glasses in tow.

It looked slow-going for Tanino Ristorante's Zuppa di funghi while The Bazaar couldn't make its liquid nitrogen caipirinhas -- cocktail slushies -- fast enough. At one point, Michael Gillet, exec pastry chef of The Bazaar, quickly gave out handfuls of his Earl Grey and saffron truffles before they melted.

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Ben Ford of Ford's Filling Station and Govind Armstrong of 8 oz.

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We passed up the hearty meat dishes -- short rib sandwiches, barbecue spare ribs and hanger steak. But cooling crowd favorites were Ford's Filling Station's persimmon salad with goat cheese, candied pecans and a sherry vinaigrette and East Restaurant and Lounge's chilled scallops and Hawaiian Walu.

Fortunately the "Get Green Get Hip" tented bar/lounge area, complete with a visually soothing ice sculpture, offered respite from the sun as well as Veev acai cocktails. And despite the variety of high-end wineries at the event, we cooled ourselves on a tall cold one courtesy of Fireman's Brew Brewnette Beer, as well as Lupicia's mango rooibos iced tea and SmartWaters galore. Note to self: Next year bring a parasol.

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East Restaurant's scallops on a half shell with lemongrass sambal, wasabi creme fraiche, shiso dust, micro cilantro.

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Caroline on Crack

Comedian George Lopez (right) auctions off a private 11-person dinner by Grace's chef Neal Fraser (left). The winning bid was $5,000.

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