Liberation Coffee House Marks 2nd Anniversary At L.A. LGBT Center

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Liberation Coffee House, a community cafe that offers culinary training for youth and seniors, will celebrate its second anniversary Tuesday at the Los Angeles LGBT Center in Hollywood. The eatery launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and missed out on a grand opening.

"We feel it has been long overdue to honor everyone’s hard work and commitment to our community and welcome everyone to come and enjoy a taste of Liberation at our coming out party on August 2nd,” said Nick Panepinto, Liberation culinary training and operations director.

Events scheduled Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will include all-day beverage and food tastings, a latte-art demonstration, music performances from center members, plus a cooking lesson from the center's Executive Chef Leslie Riley.

The 1,600-square-foot café and community space is operated by graduates from the LGBT Center’s Culinary Arts program, a three-month training, based on classic-French techniques, that prepares LGBTQ youth and seniors for employment in the restaurant and hospitality industries, according to the staff.

The cafe serves Verve Coffee, Rishi Tea and pastries from Bakers Kneaded, along with grab-and-go salads, sandwiches and flatbreads. All purchases support the LGBT Center.

"Since the start of the pandemic, our culinary program has helped hundreds of at-risk youth and seniors with job training and servicing meals to those in need," Panepinto said.

Liberation Coffee House operates as a retail coffee shop, with flexible space able to accommodate gallery openings, meetings, lectures, networking mixers and other community events.

To complete the culinary program, students intern with a variety of partners, including fine dining establishments, amusement parks, bakeries and cafés.

“The heart and soul of Liberation Coffee House connects LGBTQ seniors and youth to work together in creating delicious food and drink for our entire community,” Panepinto added.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center opened in 1969 with a mission to care for, champion and support LGBT individuals and families throughout Greater Los Angeles with health, housing, education and social services, staff said.

The Tuesday anniversary event schedule at Liberation Coffee House:

• 9:30 a.m.: Coffee Lesson / Latte Art Demo;
• 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Musical performances by senior and youth center members;
• 2 p.m.: Cooking lesson with the center's executive chef and lead instructor Riley.

Liberation Coffee House is at the L.A. LGBT Center's flagship Anita May Rosenstein Campus, 6725 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. Follow this link for more information.

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