The UCLA Jonsson Cancer Foundation is putting the finishing touches on its 29th annual Taste for a Cure event, which is poised to become a notable *American Idol* gathering.
Scheduled for May 1 at Fox Studios in Los Angeles, this year’s Taste for a Cure will present Paramount’s Chair of TV Media, George Cheeks, with the prestigious Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award. The event will be hosted by long-time *American Idol* personality Ryan Seacrest, culminating in a headline performance by superstar and former *Idol* champion, Carrie Underwood.
Additional Coverage from The Hollywood Reporter
Actress Kathy Bates, currently starring in *Matlock*, will present Cheeks with his award. He joins an esteemed list of past recipients including Ravi Ahuja, Stephen A. Smith, Dana Walden, Eric Shanks, Gary Newman, Kevin Reilly, Jennifer Salke, Jay Sures, Joe Cohen, Paul Telegdy, Sandra Stern, and Daymond John. Cheeks’s current responsibilities at Paramount include overseeing their broadcast, studio, and cable television operations. His distinguished career spans over 30 years in television, having previously held positions as co-CEO of Paramount Global and president and CEO of CBS, following senior roles at NBCUniversal and Viacom. He is an alumnus of Yale and Harvard.
Attendees of Taste for a Cure will enjoy a diverse culinary experience, sampling dishes from leading L.A. establishments and chefs such as Petit Trois with Chef Ludo Lefebvre, *Top Chef* champion Mei Lin, Kevin Meehan from the Michelin-starred Kali, Govind Armstrong of the Lobster, Hinoki and the Bird, June Intrachat of Otus Thai Kitchen, Lawry’s, Enrique Ceja of the Beverly Wilshire, and Kyle Nelson from Fox Studios. An exquisite selection of wines, including Far Niente, Bella Union, and En Route, will be offered, all contributing to vital cancer research initiatives at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The gala’s co-chairs include Joe Cohen from CAA, E. Brian Dobbins of Artist First, James Myerson from Breakthru Beverage, Jon Holman of Holman Group, filmmaker Jake Kasdan, former Netflix executive Tendo Nagenda, Gary Newman from Attention Capital, Erik Nickel of Far Niente, Keri Shahidi from 7th Sun Productions, Sandra Stern of Lionsgate, Dana Walden from Disney, and Arthur Wayne of Brooks Brothers.
Further details regarding the event are available here.
Top Stories from The Hollywood Reporter
Subscribe to THR’s Newsletter for updates. Stay connected with the latest news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.