Vibiana, the Wedding and Special Event Historic Venue in Los Angeles, Launches New Website/Brand Along with Extensive Dining and Craft Libations Program & Exciting New Facility Upgrades for 2014

    LOS ANGELES, CA, May 07, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Vibiana is excited to announce the launch of their new website and is set to roll out many new 2014 event options available to their event clients. Originally the City's first Archdiocese Catholic cathedral, Vibiana has been beautifully transformed into a stunning full service event facility with a state of the art lighting and sound system, high quality, custom rental equipment, a seasoned and talented event management staff, and an extensive dining and craft libations program.

With the Main Hall and Garden Courtyard, the versatility of Vibiana is endless, offering a beautiful customizable backdrop for events of any style, including entertainment, corporate, non-profit, wedding, and performing arts.

Vibiana's Managing Partner Amy Knoll Fraser and her team have developed and implemented an extensive dining and craft libations program and have upgraded the facility with a state of the art lighting and sound system, sound abating drapery and high quality, custom rental equipment.

Vibiana.com:

The new online tool allows planners to download menus and floor plans. Event galleries show a myriad of design options planned in the beautifully restored historic venue. www.vibiana.com

Sound System:

The sound package includes a modular, custom built, Martin Line Array Sound System including EAW distributed support speakers throughout the main hall. Additionally the outdoor garden includes EAW speakers with 'plug & play' configuration for cocktail reception music.

Lighting Package:

Elation LED lighting system including column and perimeter up-lights, ceiling wash lights, 6 mounted Intelligent Movers and 40+ mounted steerable Pinspots. The outdoor LED Landscape fixtures as well as mounted LED Wash lighting. Upgrade options include dimmable Edison style cafe stringer lighting.

Inhouse Event Rentals:

Vibiana now offers chiavari chairs, a beautiful new line of china, flatware, glassware, custom designed bars and a comprehensive line of dining and buffet tables.

Acoustic Drapery:

(14) 30' Custom acoustic blackout drapery now hang in the main hall. Additionally, a permanently installed custom 75' drapery will divide the pre function area from the Main Hall.

The Partners

Chef Neal Fraser:

As Chef/Partner of Vibiana Neal Fraser brings his celebrated culinary talent and years behind the stove to every event transforming Vibiana into a venue like no other in the City. Fraser, along with his partners Amy Knoll Fraser and Bill Chait, took over operations of Vibiana in late 2012 and have spent the time since upgrading the facility with a state of the art lighting and sound system, sound abating drapery, high quality, custom rental equipment, a seasoned and talented event management staff, and an extensive dining and craft libations program.

A native Angeleno, Chef Fraser is the chef/owner of two of Los Angeles' best loved restaurants; the former Grace and BLD. Redbird, his follow up to Grace, will open in the Rectory building of Vibiana in the fall of 2014. Also in the works are a BLD at LAX and ICDC, an ice cream/doughnut/coffee shop. Fritzi Dog, his healthy hot dog concept with partner John Moshay, is located in the Original Farmers Market.

Chef Fraser's experience working with Wolfgang Puck at Eureka Brewery and Restaurant inspired him to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. While there he worked with Thomas Keller at the Checkers Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles and David Burke at the Park Avenue Cafe in New York. Upon his return to Los Angeles, Fraser was mentored by Joachim Splichal at Pinot Bistro, Wolfgang Puck at Spago, and Hans Rockenwagner at Rox. His first chef gig was the critically acclaimed Boxer. Chef Fraser continued to garner praise with his stints at Rix in Santa Monica and Jimmy's in Beverly Hills. In 2003, Fraser, along with his partner Amy Knoll Fraser, opened Grace followed by BLD in 2006. Fritzi Dog opened in the summer of 2012.

Chef Fraser battled Iron Chef Cat Cora in 2006 on Food Network's widely popular series "Iron Chef America" and became the first California chef to win the culinary competition. He was named Angeleno Magazine's "Chef of the Year" in 2007. Fraser most recently appeared on BravoTV's Season 5 of "Top Chef Masters" and was victorious on the Esquire Network's "Knife Fight."

Amy Knoll Fraser:

As Vibiana's Managing Partner Amy Knoll Fraser oversees her talented event management staff to insure that every event at Los Angeles' premier venue is exceptional for every client and guest.

Knoll Fraser is a veteran of the Los Angeles restaurant scene. She opened her first restaurant, the critically acclaimed and award winning Grace, with her partner Chef Neal Fraser in 2003 and their second, the ever popular breakfast, lunch and dinner cafe BLD, in 2006. In late 2012 Knoll Fraser, Chef Fraser, Los Angeles restaurateur Bill Chait and their partners took over operations of Vibiana. Knoll Fraser has successfully merged the Fraser's distinct hand-crafted approach to food, beverage, and service with the beauty and history of one of the city's most stunning architectural gems. She and her team have developed and implemented an extensive dining and craft libations program and have upgraded the facility with a state of the art lighting and sound system, sound abating drapery and high quality and custom rental equipment. In addition to events at the facility, Knoll Fraser and her partners will open Redbird, the Fraser's follow up to Grace, in the rectory building adjacent to the Main Hall in the fall of 2014.

Also in the works for Knoll Fraser and her partner Chef Neal Fraser is a BLD at LAX and ICDC - an ice cream, doughnut, coffee shop - with their longtime pastry chef, Mariah Swan.

Bill Chait:

A native Angeleno, Bill Chait has been involved in the restaurant industry for more than 25 years during which time he has developed and operated several successful restaurant concepts. Bill is the founder of a multi-unit restaurant operation, Louise's Trattoria, with locations in Southern California, Wisconsin, Washington DC and Maryland. Chait's other restaurant concepts have included Angel City Grill, The Beverly Restaurant and Market and Louise's Italian Kitchen.

In 2010, he created the nationally acclaimed LA pop-up restaurant Test Kitchen, which pioneered an exciting new concept in dining featuring world renowned guest chefs and budding culinary talent. The Test Kitchen "Townhouse" on Pico is now home to Picca and Sotto restaurants and a culinary outpost on the west side.

Bill is currently Director and Vice Chairman of LT Acquisition Corp., Principal of Spark Restaurants LLC and the Managing Partner of Sprout LA. He's also Principal for Rivera with Chef John Sedlar, Sotto with Chefs Steve Samson and Zach Pollack, Picca with Chef Ricardo Zarate, Short Order and Short Cake with Nancy Silverton and the late Amy Pressman, Bestia with Chef Ori Menashe, Petty Cash and Republique with Chef Walter Manzke, as well as Vibiana and the forthcoming Redbird with Amy Knoll Fraser and Chef Neal Fraser.

History of Vibiana:

Vibiana, the formal Cathedral of St Vibiana, is one of Los Angeles' few remaining nineteenth century landmarks and was completed in 1876. The city's first cathedral was a stunning work of architecture in a town still emerging from its pueblo origins. Inspired by the Los Angeles bishop's childhood church in Spain, W.J. Matthews and Ezra F. Kysor modeled the cathedral's facade in the Italian Baroque style. In 1922, Architect John C. Austin enlarged the structure and added a new facade of Indiana limestone. St. Vibiana's Cathedral was designated a Los Angeles Cultural Monument in 1963. In 1999, the decommissioned building was acquired by a team of adaptive reuse developers whose vision was to transform the space from a dilapidated structure into a state-of-the-art special events and performing arts venue. Shortly thereafter, a team of architects and structural engineers began the seismic retrofit and renovation work. Great care was taken to seismically reinforce the structure while painstakingly restoring its century old historic detail. Now known simply as VIBIANA, the venue hosts a wide range of events including fashion shows, fundraisers, live entertainment, and wedding ceremonies and receptions.

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