French American Honored

Jodie Foster, Joely Fisher, Mario Van Peebles, Julian Sands, among attendees

Jodie Foster, Joely Fisher, Mario Van Peebles, and Julian Sands were guests when Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles hosted Gala 2006 - Une Soirée à Monte Carlo on 10 May 2006 at the Beverly Hills Hotel to honor Clara-Lisa Kabbaz as the recipient of the Esther and Raymond Kabbaz Award for her distinguished service to the French-American community. Co-chairs, Jouer cosmetics CEO and Founder, Christina Zilber and Sandra Winkler put together a lavish dinner reception in the Grand Ballroom of the famed Beverly Hills Hotel. The night included enjoyment for the whole family with casino games and silent and live auction items such as French lessons, luxurious stay at the Four Season and a zen consultation for your child’s room. All proceeds from the evening benefited Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles. Other guests included soccer player Franck and Beatrice Leboeuf, and Consul General of France Honorable Philippe Larrieu and Angelique Larrieu.

Foster, an alum (she was valedictorian) whose children attend the school, presented the award to Clara-Lisa Kabbaz (the principal of the school.) Foster and Kabbaz attended the school and have been friends since childhood. She joked about their special times at the school. Kabbaz' parents founded the school in 1964-1965 to bring French and American cultures together.

During the live auction, Foster bid on the "Top Chef" (personal chefs cook for a private dinner for 10 guests) item. Bidding went up to $25,000, but was outbid by another person. The auctioneer announced that the chefs were willing to provide their services to another winner if they matched the $25,000 bid. Foster raised her hand and won the second auction.

Joely Fisher, who just had her second child with husband Christopher Duddy, came to support Clara-Lisa Kabbaz. Her daughter, Skylar Grace is a student at Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles.

Mario Van Peebles emceed the event. More than $400,000 was raised.

Photo: Christina Zilber(Co-Chair), Sandra Nelson Winker (Co-Chair) & Clara-Lisa Kabbaz; Foster around the time she attended Le Lycee