'Top Chef' Michael Voltaggio Cooks Up Annual Thanksgiving Meal At LA Mission

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — More than 3,500 meals were served Wednesday at the Los Angeles Mission's annual Thanksgiving event.

Volunteers, led by "Top Chef" winner Chef Michael Voltaggio, began preparing the traditional feast at 4:30 a.m. at the mission, located at 303 E. Fifth Street in downtown.

The feast includes a 1.5 tons of turkey, 700 pounds of chestnut stuffing, 80 gallons of turkey sausage gravy and an abundance of green beans simmered in sage and onion.

Voltaggio told KNX 1070's Dick Helton he was aided by other top LA chefs such as Susan Goin (The A.O.C. and Lucques), Josiah Citrin (Mélisse), Steve Samson (Sotto), Ray Garcia (formerly of FIG), Josef Centeno (Bäco Mercat) and Duff Goldman (Charm City Cakes).

"The fact that we can take a break from our gourmet sort of lives and cook thanksiving dinner is just a great experience," he said.

Several celebrities will also be on hand to serve the meal, including Patricia Heaton (The Middle), Rowan Blanchard (Girl Meets World), Joanna Going (Kingdom), Brian Tee (The Wolverine), George Lopez (Comedian), Diedre Hall (Days of Our Lives), Meredith Scott Lynn (Days of Our Lives), Jen Lilley (Days of Our Lives), August Mautro (Girl Meets World), Christopher Sean (Days of Our Lives), Molly Burnett (Days of Our Lives), Kate Mansi (Days of Our Lives), Jo Frost (Supernanny), Graham Bunn (KKGO Morning Show/Bachelor in Paradise) Tyga (Musician), Crystal Hefner (The Girls Next Door) , Amber Smith (American Beauty), Nicole Murphy (Hollywood Execs), Miss California Marina Inserra, City Councilman Jose Huizar, City Councilman Tom LaBonge, Police Chief Charlie Beck and Former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

"We're all super lucky people. We have really wonderful lives and it's nice to get down here and try and give a little piece of that to other people," actor Ben Feldman, who was one of 600 volunteers, said.

The Thanksgiving meal, which has been an LA Mission tradition since 1936, was served at 11 a.m., with the event wrapping up around 3 p.m.

Flu shots, foot care and exams, socks, tarps and blankets were also given out to attendees.

For more information, visit the official Los Angeles Mission website.