Chely Wright, Paola Guasp, Amanda Freitag, Barbara Shay and Pete Rukule stand behind a table with ingredients laid out before them. — L to R: Chely Wright, Paola Guasp, Amanda Freitag, Barbara Shay and Pete Rukule at the event "Amanda Freitag: A Culinary and Community Experience in Support of Wildfire Recovery."

feature / college-news / faculty / alumni
April 29, 2025
By ArtCenter Staff

ISS, Guckenheimer and ArtCenter Host Culinary Evening in Support of Eaton Fire Recovery

In an evening of shared emotional personal stories, extraordinary generosity and culinary creativity, over 150 guests gathered on March 26 at ArtCenter College of Design’s Mullin Transportation Design Center for "Amanda Freitag: A Culinary and Community Experience in Support of Wildfire Recovery." Hosted by ISS North America and Guckenheimer, in partnership with ArtCenter, the special event raised more than $100,000 for the College’s Emergency Fund to aid students, faculty and staff significantly impacted by the tragic Eaton Fire in January.

ISS North America CEO Steven Quick and Guckenheimer CEO Paul Fairhead, joined by ISS North America Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and new Markets Chely Wright, welcomed guests at the start of the evening. Wright initially reached out to ArtCenter President Karen Hofmann with the idea of organizing the fundraising event to recognize and support the ArtCenter community members who lost their homes in the fire, along with two Altadena chefs whose restaurants were destroyed.

ArtCenter's Mullin Transportation Design Center provided a dramatic backdrop for the event "Amanda Freiag: A Culinary and Community Experience in Support of Wildlife Recovery."

Attendees sit underneath a dramatic swooping architectural feature as they watch Amanda Freitag at the event — ArtCenter's Mullin Transportation Design Center provided a dramatic backdrop for the event "Amanda Freiag: A Culinary and Community Experience in Support of Wildlife Recovery."

ArtCenter President Karen Hofmann holds a mic and speaks from behind a podium at the event — ArtCenter President Karen Hofmann

ISS North America CEO Steven Quick (left) and Guckenheimer CEO Paul Fairhead

Guckenheimer CEO Paul Fairhead (right) holds a mic and speaks at the event, while ISS North America CEO Steven Quick (left) stands behind a podium — ISS North America CEO Steven Quick (left) and Guckenheimer CEO Paul Fairhead

President Hofmann addressed the guests, reminding them that while the fires have ended, the rebuilding and healing process has just begun. “This is going to be a long road, and we know the impact on our people, on our college long term, is going to be significant,” said Hofmann. “We are going to continue to help. We are resilient and we are in this!” She emphasized that the event was another important step in raising awareness and continuing to offer meaningful support.

Architect Darin Johnstone, whose firm designed the Mullin Transportation Design Center, reflected on the evening’s themes of rebuilding and transformation by sharing the building’s history. Originally a historic, supersonic wind tunnel commissioned in 1945, the space is now a hub for creativity and learning and, fittingly, the home of the College’s Transportation Design program.

The culinary portion of the program was headlined by renowned chef, television personality and author Amanda Freitag, who led a live cooking demonstration, joined by Altadena chefs Paola Guasp of Amara Kitchen and Barbara Shay of The Little Red Hen, both of whose restaurants were lost in the fire. While their collaboration brought levity and warmth to the evening, it also served as a powerful reminder of the strength of the local culinary community, helping others by doing what they love—making delicious food.

During the event, ArtCenter’s Spatial Experience Design Associate Chair James Meraz and Photography and Imaging Chair Everard Williams shared emotional, personal stories about the fires. Meraz showed a photograph of himself with his friend and former student Jeffrey Sugishita in the remnants of Sugishita’s destroyed home, reminding attendees of the countless lives upended by the tragedy. Williams shared a heartbreaking video of the still-smoldering remains of his family home, which was shot mere hours after the blaze swept through the neighborhood, completely destroying his house, and thousands more.

Two photos shown at the event by ArtCenter faculty Everard Williams (left) and James Meraz reflected on the devastation of the Eaton Fire. Images courtesy of Everard Williams and James Meraz.

A black-and-white photo of charred wood leaning up against a wall (left) and a color photo of James Meraz and Jeffrey Sugishita sitting amidst the ruins of Sugishita — Two photos shown at the event by ArtCenter faculty Everard Williams (left) and James Meraz reflected on the devastation of the Eaton Fire. Images courtesy of Everard Williams and James Meraz.

This print, designed specifically for the event by Guckenheimer, was run at ArtCenter's Archetype Press.

A colorful, abstract design composed of circles, semicircles and quarter circles — This print, designed specifically for the event by Guckenheimer, was run at ArtCenter's Archetype Press.

Displaying a photograph of a hauntingly beautiful, charred piece of wood—a remnant from Williams’ property—he spoke of the Japanese practice of yakisugi, in which wood is deliberately scorched to preserve it. “The flame that threatens to destroy, creates resilience, rendering the timber resistant to future fires and to time itself, an unintended transformation,” said Williams. Further reflecting on the resilience of Altadena, he reminded attendees “a community is defined not by its architecture, but by its intricate human connections. These connections remain unburned.” The deeply personal stories underscored the event’s purpose and the urgent need for continued community support.

Adding to the evening’s spirit of giving, IKEA representative Gustavo Tinajero made a surprise announcement that the company would help furnish both Amara Kitchen and The Little Red Hen as they rebuild—in addition to supporting ArtCenter as the College moves forward. The news was a fitting close to the event program, after which guests enjoyed food inspired by the guest chefs and participated in a charity silent auction to raise additional funds.

Proceeds from the ISS/Guckenheimer event will directly benefit ArtCenter’s Fire Emergency Fund, which provides assistance to members of the ArtCenter community recovering from the fire. More than just a fundraiser, the evening was a celebration of the creativity and strength of the ArtCenter, Altadena and Pasadena communities. In particular, it highlighted Altadena’s resilience, recognized the need to protect its unique character and legacy and underscored the importance of supporting its residents as they rebuild. ArtCenter creators and designers will play a significant role in these efforts.