2014 God of Fire Dinner: A Great L.A. Tradition Returns to Celebrate an Outstanding American and Three 10th Anniversaries

Lovers of great cigars, wine, spirits, food and camaraderie were thrilled to hear that the God of Fire Charity Dinner in Los Angeles would be returning after a five-year hiatus. What they might not have expected is that this year’s event proved to be the most exciting and spectacular yet. On September 20th, a sold-out crowd of 100 passionate cigar enthusiasts from around the world gathered on the fifth-floor pool deck at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, enjoying some of the world’s finest cigars, wine, spirits and cuisine while surrounded by the brilliant lights of Century City’s dramatic skyscrapers.

The dinner began just as the sun was setting over the Pacific, starting with hors d’oeuvres, wines from Cambria Estate Winery, and single-malt scotches from Bruichladdich. As the sun went down and a cool evening breeze began, the guests moved into the pool area, where they were seated at two long tables to enjoy exquisite locally sourced dishes created by Peninsula executive chef David Codney.

2014 marked the 10th anniversary of the God of Fire brand.  Prometheus stole fire from Zeus, the king of Olympian Gods, to give it to mankind. Enraged Zeus ordered Prometheus to be bound to a desolate rock and attacked by an eagle. Prometheus was punished for his love of mortals. The painting, Prometheus Bound, on the cigar band portrays his unwavering endurance of suffering. Prometheus is a courageous hero for mankind, and also known as God of Fire.  Copyright © Prometheus

Celebrities who attended the dinner included (from left) producer Frank Mancuso Jr. (Friday the 13th series, Ronin, the Lost City); Latin jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval; singer/bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple); Joe Mantegna; actor Clifton Collins (Star Trek, Pacific Rim, Transcendence, Crank: High Voltage); director/producer Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, The Heat); actor Richard Gilliland (Designing Women, Desperate Housewives, Dexter); former chairman/CEO of Paramount Pictures and MGM Frank Mancuso Sr.; actor Vincent Guastaferro (NYPD Blue); actor/comedian Jim Belushi who shared the role of M.C. with Joe Mantegna; actor Dennis Franz (NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues); and Sylvester Stallone (not pictured)

Keith K. Park, Founder and CEO of Prometheus and God of Fire, quoted Nelson Mandela to inspire the attendees: “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” Park ended his welcome speech by saying, "Tonight, I can feel tremendous positive energy and have no doubt that we can truly make this happen." The dinner and the auction that followed raised more than $100,000 for two worthy charities: New Directions for Veterans, a program that helps homeless military veterans in the greater Los Angeles area, and Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which provides education and health care for the underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic.  Since its inaugural dinner in 2005, the God of Fire Charity Dinner has raised more than $1,000,000 for deserving charities.

The highlight and focus of this year’s dinner was the awarding of the 2014 God of Fire Man of the Year to actor, producer, writer and director Joe Mantegna, in appreciation on of his work on behalf of military veterans. The dinner also celebrated three 10th anniversaries. It has been 10 years since the launch of the God of Fire cigar brand; 10 years since the making of The Lost City, a film by 2009 God of Fire Man of the Year Andy Garcia and the inspiration behind the Fuente Fuente OpusX The Lost City cigars; and 10 years since the Cigar Family Complex was constructed.

THE 2014 GOD OF FIRE MAN OF THE YEAR: JOE MANTEGNA

Frank Mancuso, Sr. presented the God of Fire Man of the Year award to Mantegna, who has been a strong supporter of U.S. military veterans. Mantegna has been especially active with New Directions for Veterans, and also served as spokesperson for ACT Today for Military Families, led the fundraising campaign to build the National Museum of the United States Army, and participated the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington DC for the last 10 years.

Joe Mantegna holding the 2014 God of Fire Man of the Year Award with Keith K. Park and Frank Mancuso, Sr. As Joe Mantegna walked up to the stage to receive his award, he received standing ovation from the attendees.

Actor Gary Sinise, the 2007 God of Fire Man of the Year, appeared in a special video tribute to Mantegna. During the tribute to Mantegna, guests received the Angelenos Robusto Gordo JM, a cigar created to commemorate Mantegna’s receipt of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “We’re all sitting around enjoying cigars and wines and scotch, which some might consider vices,” Mantegna said. “But when you consider how much the proceeds of this dinner will do to help homeless and drug-addicted veterans … well, let’s just say you can’t judge a cigar by its band.”

THE CHARITIES

The proceeds from the God of Fire dinner and auction went to benefit two charities: New Directions for Veterans, which helps homeless military veterans, and Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which provides education and health care for impoverished families and their children in the Dominican Republic.

Gregory Scott, president of New Directions for Veterans, spoke to thank Mantegna for his involvement in the organization, and for publicizing the issue of homeless veterans through two episodes of Criminal Minds featuring the late Meshach Taylor as a homeless former Marine sergeant. “We’re honored to be here for Joe, who’s been an amazing supporter of New Directions for the last 10 years, and we’re thankful to be one of the charities benefiting through tonight’s dinner,” Scott said. 

Since 1992, New Directions has provided a wide array of services to thousands of veterans in Los Angeles County. These include substance abuse treatment, counseling, remedial education, job training and placement, as well as parenting and money management classes. Veterans leave New Directions with a savings account, housing, a job or other income, computer skills, renewed self-confidence and the support of mentors and peers.

In 2001, the Fuente and Newman families, longtime business partners in the cigar industry, founded Cigar Family Charitable Foundation to improve children’s lives in the Bonao region of the Dominican Republic. Since then, the Foundation has built primary and high schools, a health center, sports and recreation facilities and an organic farming area, serving well over 5,000 families and their children. Because the Fuente and Newman families pay all administrative expenses, 100% of donations to CFCF benefit the children and their families.

In his speech about Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr. recalled, “When we got there, there was no water, no electricity and no schools." "The kids went to work on the farms or in the mines. They never got an education, never had a chance. Now 90 percent of them move on to university after high school. They’re becoming doctors, engineers and building businesses.” Pictured below: Sylvester Stallone with Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr. and Tim Noonan.

In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the making of The Lost City movie, the Lost City Scholarship Fund for Cigar Family Charitable Foundation was established by Prometheus and God of Fire. When recounting the history of the Lost City Scholarship Fund which has been established by a portion of the sales proceed from the Fuente Fuente OpusX the Lost City cigars, Keith K. Park, Founder and CEO of Prometheus and God of Fire, remembered a moment when the Fuentes were forced to choose between the charity and business. “They were about to start shipping the Fuente Fuente OpusX The Lost City cigars,” Park said. “But they had a shortage of boxes due to the fire at the box supplier. ‘If I ship FFOX Lost City cigars, I can’t ship my cigars,’ Carlito told me. But they went ahead and shipped the FFOX The Lost City cigars first, sacrificing the finances of their business for the benefit of the children." Pictured below: In appreciation of making the establishment of the Lost City Scholarship Fund for CFCF possible, Carlos Fuente Sr. and Jr. presented Johnny Lopez, executive producer of the Lost City, and Frank Mancuso Jr., producer, with the Lost City cigar boxes signed by the celebrities who attended the event. Andy Garcia, who is the director of the Lost City, could not attend the event due to scheduling conflict. Pictured below: Keith K. Park (left), Carlos "Carlito" Fuente Jr., Frank Mancuso Jr. (producer ), Johnny Lopez (executive producer) and Carlos Fuente Sr.

THE CHARITY AUCTION

After the dinner, Joe Mantegna and Jim Belushi began the charity auction, which included numerous exclusive items: rare Bruichladdich “The Black Art” scotch; 2013 Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard Double Magnum signed by winemaker Dennis Shurtleff; a couples getaway from Cambria Estate Winery; vacation and dinner packages from the Peninsula Beverly Hills; a day on the set of the TV show Criminal Minds; and humidors and cigars from Prometheus and God of Fire. 

The event raised more than $100,000 for New Directions and the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. Since its inaugural event in 2005, the God of Fire charity dinner has raised over $1,000,000 for deserving charities.

Paul Feig winning an auction item. He is an actor, director and producer. His directing work includes Bridesmaids, The Heat, and I Am David.

Lenny Fodemski, winner of Fuente Fuente OpusX Destino al Siglo cufflinks, with Jim Belushi, Joe Mantegna, Manny Iriarte and Carlito Fuente