I grew up in West Los Angeles and a neighbor on my block fried the best latkes I've ever eaten. The neighbor is a well-respected businessman. His family held a party that lasted all eight days of Hanukah and people from all over West L.A. and the greater L.A. County would stop by during the eight days to eat his latkes and mingle with the other party guests. Parking on our street that week was always horrendous, but it was worth it for these great latkes. My neighbor always wore an apron that said "Latke King" and the latkes never made it onto the serving table. People would grab them off the tray as he carried them from the frying pan to the table.
I happened to talk to him this morning. He told me that the Governor's office called him to offer that they would fly him to Sacramento to teach the Governor's chef how to make latkes for a party he's hosting tonight.