You know it’s the end of summer when you get to enjoy some of the best food around with the Los Angeles’ Times the Taste!
I’ve gone a few times over the years and have always been delighted with the introduction to new chefs, great food, wine and ideas with the cooking demos! This year looks like it’s going to be even better as we raise a glass to Jonathan Gold who passed away earlier this year. In his honor they will have special programming at each event for the beloved restaurant critic who’s passion for food and respect for the
 culture of cuisine won him a Pulitzer and special place in every food lovers heart.
Tickets are on sale now at latimes.com/TheTaste
The Taste returns to the Paramount Pictures Studio backlot with three nights during the Labor Day Weekend (Aug 31 – Sept 2) of unlimited tastings for food and drinks with your ultimate block party ticket! This year they will highlight the rich history of Los Angeles international cuisine where you can travel the world with every bite! This year they have three evenings of fun with Friday all about LA Pop-Ups and Underground restaurants, Saturday is International with everything from Japanese to Mexican Breakfast Tacos to India and everywhere in between and Sunday is all about ‘home comfort’ food with the diversity of Los Angeles chefs giving us a taste of their favorite dishes!
- Friday, Aug. 31, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
L.A.’s pop-up and underground restaurants will take the stage with a demo of Cajun-by-way-of-Compton cuisine from chef Michael Lawless (Shad’s New Cali Catering). Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Ludo Bird) will showcase his French flair. Master of the grill, Burt Bakman (Trudy’s Underground Barbecue), will lead a barbeque how-to. Ricardo Zarate (Rosaliné) and Jonathan Yao (Kato) will provide a glimpse of what makes their dishes imminently Instagram-able. The Bar Stage will be serving up white wines of Italy with Wes Hagen of J. Wilkes Wines. Restaurants include: Amor y Tacos, Baltaire Restaurant, Bone Kettle, Casa Vega, Chao Krung, Farmhouse, Hinoki & the Bird, Otium, Pop’s Bagels and Wanderlust Creamery.
- Saturday, Sept. 1, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Delicious food will be the special of the night as Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama (n/naka) showcase Japanese cuisine and Briana Valdez (HomeState) celebrates breakfast all day with a demo of her signature dishes. Sommelier Ira Norof will give you 101 reasons to drink wine. Restaurants include: Cento Pasta Bar, Border Grill, Crustacean Beverly Hills, Jaffa, Kali Restaurant, Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria, Mayura Indian Restaurant, Prawn, Taste of Tehran, Trois Mec and Winston Pies. - Sunday, Sept. 2, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Experience the diversity of flavors in our fair city when Sean Lowenthal (Little Beast Restaurant) and L.A. Times Test Kitchen Director Noelle Carter highlight Southern cooking, Minh Phan (Porridge + Puffs) shares her technique for elevating porridge, and Charles Olalia (Rice Bar/Ma’am Sir) gives a master class on Filipino cuisine. Wine expert Christine Dalton will raise a glass to rosé. Restaurants include: 71Above, Banh Oui, Coni’Seafood, Holbox/Chichen Itza, Hotville Chicken, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Inko Nito, Kobee Factory & Syrian Kitchen, Meals by Genet and Prince of Venice.
Los Angeles Times’ The Taste, presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, is produced in association with Best Events and this year The Collins College of Hospitality Management and L.A. Regional Food Bank are the event’s charity beneficiaries. Tickets range from $115 to $165; a $10 discount will be available exclusively to Times subscribers starting July 23.
Also this year for the first time The Taste travels to Costa Mesa this October from Friday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 21 with programming to be announced in September. Details and tickets: latimes.com/TheTaste.
Connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TheTasteLA (#TasteLA)
Leave a comment below if you plan to attend and what chef, demo or taste is on your foodie list!Â
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