Labor Day in Los Angeles is actually an okay thing thanks to some amazing festivals around the city, including The Taste, the Los Angeles Times’ annual celebration of Southern California’s local cuisine. Food festivals in Los Angeles are a pretty big deal, and The Taste is no exception.
Labor Day food is going to be exceptional this year with some amazing possibilities on deck for this year’s festival. Another huge food festival in LA is the Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival, which happened this past weekend for the sixth year in a row.
Not in Los Angeles? No problem. Do a search for “food festivals near me” and something is bound to pop up if you live in a city. And even small towns have food festivals, such as blueberry festivals, maple fests, and apple fests, so don’t despair.
This year’s The Taste takes place between Sept. 2 and 4 at Paramount Pictures Studios.
Five events will showcase the restaurants and chefs that make up a good part of L.A.’s food and dining culture. Some of the happenings to look forward to are unlimited tastings of food and drink from a number of the city’s best restaurants, wine seminars, and live kitchen demos.
The 5 Main Events at This Year’s The Taste
This Labor Day, enjoy special food brought to you by some of Los Angeles’ best restaurants and most talented chefs. There is a lot happening, so be sure to take note of each event and when it happens. Each event is set up so people can participate in each one if desired.
Friday, Sept. 2, is Opening Night, a three-hour event that starts at 7:30 p.m. Guests will be treated to an array of food items, specialty drinks, and distinct wines. It’s a great opportunity to rub elbows with The Times’ food editors and critics, as well as other participating chefs and bartenders who will be working over the course of the weekend. Noelle Carter, Jenn Harris, Jonathan Gold, and Amy Scattergood will host. Tickets are $150.
On Saturday, Sept. 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. is the second event, Field to Fork, hosted by Amy Scattergood and Michael Cimarusti from Providence and Connie & Ted’s. Attendees can taste dishes from some of L.A.’s finest chefs as they display their culinary skills by making dishes from locally-sourced ingredients. Tickets are $100.
Also on Saturday, but later in the day from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., is the event Dinner with a Twist. Discover how a great cocktail, premium wine, or favorite spirit can really make a meal come to life. Enjoy fantastic food selections prepared by some of the city’s finest chefs. The event is hosted by Jonathan Gold, Jenn Harris, Ray Garcia, and Michael Lay. Tickets are $125.
Sunday’s event is a Block Party-themed celebration that runs from11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The best bartenders and chefs in L.A. will serve up some terrific creations on a studio backlot. Hosts are Noelle Carter and Border Grill’s Mary Sue Milliken. Tickets are $100 each.
The Taste’s final event is Flavors of L.A., to be held on Sunday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on the Paramount Studios lot. The hosts for the event are Jonathan Gold and Kris Yenbamroong and tickets are $125, which includes food, and alcohol tastings, as well as access to seminars and presentations.
Source:
Scattergood, A., “The Taste food festival returns Labor Day weekend to Paramount Studios,” Los Angeles Times site, June 9, 2016; http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-the-taste-2016-20160609-snap-story.html, last accessed August 29, 2016.
