Alicia Keys Hosts The Table with Mercedes-Benz: Celebrating Innovation and Mentorship

Alicia Keys recently teamed up with Mercedes-Benz to host The Table, an experiential culinary event in Los Angeles, celebrating innovators and creators breaking boundaries in their fields. The event took place at Verse LA on Friday, June 28 and featured a diverse group of creatives, including Andra Day, Ayoni, Swizz Beatz, and Victoria Justice. The evening showcased rising stars and established talent from various artistic disciplines, highlighting the interconnectedness and shared passion that drive creativity forward. The beautiful restaurant/venue Verse provided a warm, elegant environment for the event, boasting 52 speakers and offering a dining experience like no other.

At the heart of The Table is a commitment to celebrating and supporting creative visionaries who push boundaries in their respective fields. Alicia Keys' inspiring talk during the event emphasized her advocacy for women in music production, addressing the stark statistic that only two percent of music producers are women. Keys' organization, She is the Music, aims to empower women across all facets of music creation. Additionally, Ayoni, a talented singer-songwriter and producer mentored by Keys, delivered a captivating performance, showcasing the commitment to nurturing emerging talent at The Table.

Chef Oscar Torres curated an innovative menu for the event, providing guests with a feast for both the palate and the mind. The culinary experience complemented the artistic themes of the evening, enhancing the overall sensory journey for attendees. The Table by Mercedes-Benz stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity in driving meaningful innovation, bridging disciplines and celebrating diversity in the creative industries.

Alicia Keys, a 16-time Grammy winner, spoke about the importance of mentorship at The Table, highlighting the work she has done with rising talent like Ayoni through She Is the Music. Keys emphasized the significance of having someone who can provide advice and offer a different perspective to help artists grow. The event featured a four-course meal prepared by Chef Oscar Torres, inspired by his Hispanic roots, with dishes like live Santa Barbara uni, chicken pepin tetela, lamb T-bone, and cardamon flan for dessert.

The evening also included a mixer at Larrabee Studios, where Manny Marroquin, an 18-time Grammy-winning mixer, and owner of the studio, has worked with Alicia Keys on many of her music projects. Keys, who shares two children with her husband Swizz Beatz and is a mentor to rising artists, including Ayoni, shared her love for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, particularly the all-electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV and the Mercedes-AMG G 63, which she described as the pinnacle of luxury. Alicia Keys' involvement in The Table exemplifies her commitment to uplifting the next generation of creative leaders and fostering innovation in the arts.