Let the Global Gourmet Games of the 2024 Olympics begin!

The Summer Olympics return to Paris this year for the first time in 100 years, and the Milken Institute and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD) are ready to put on a show spectacular worthy of the Tour Eiffel and the City of Light.

On Saturday, May 4 at 5:30pm we’ll transform the Wilshire Garden into an al fresco evening as if you were dining along the Seine. The evening will feature our one-of-a-kind food and wine tastings and our traditional set of excruciatingly challenging quizzes; yes, you’d better study up on Olympic events past and present, from track and field and basketball to equestrian, swimming and diving, gymnastics and the newest Olympic sport – break dancing! Best of all, you’ll join us in our congenial and spirited atmosphere where you can visit with old friends and make new connections.

The evening’s events will be familiar to veteran participants and engaging for everyone:

• Each team will represent a city or country competing in the Olympics (just a few choices include Greece, Japan, the Netherlands, Australia Singapore, Mexico, Jamaica, Israel … and of course USA). Team names are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and the grid is quickly being filled. Register early to lock in your choice!
• Throughout the evening, teams will compete in a series of highly spirited questions, including wine, culinary, Olympic history, and other quiz competitions.
• Then there’s our ultra-competitive Paris Prix du Esprit, which can earn teams valuable bonus points. Dress in ways that represent your respective country, city or an Olympic event (no swimming Speedos, please!). Feel free to wear cocktail attire if you prefer. We hope you’re inspired to bring fun knickknacks, tchotchkes or other lively items that will befuddle and intimidate your competition and garner the attention of the Chairman.
• You’re welcome to load your team with ringers: Olympic athletes, sommeliers, chefs, and maybe even an ancient Greek. However, you may not enlist the help of Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana or other such chicanery, so be sure to read the rules so you don’t get disqualified!
• As always, this evening of great fun is hosted for a greater cause. Proceeds from the dinner will go to the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD).

Registration details will follow.

Be forewarned: several former Global Gourmet Games championship captains from around the world are returning to Los Angeles specifically to compete. The countdown to assemble your team has begun!

So, tune up your taste buds and dial in your knowledge of Olympic history. It’s going to require both great individual skills and team camaraderie for your table captain to help you get on the medal stand … or even better, win the Gold Medal. We look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,

Mike Milken
Chairman and Grand Marshal, Global Gourmet Games