Los Angeles Times Announces Lineup for The Taste Food Festival

Prepare yourself for Labor Day weekend, because The Los Angeles Times announced the event lineup and participating chefs, bartenders and restaurants for The Taste, its annual festival celebrating Southern California’s culinary scene. Hosted by The Times Food staff and acclaimed chefs and bartenders, The Taste will transform the Paramount Pictures Studios backlot into the ultimate epicurean pop-up and block party over Labor Day weekend. Each of the five events includes unlimited tastings from the city’s best kitchens and a variety of wine, spirits and seasonal cocktails. Here is a little sneak peak at what The Taste will offer.

Opening Night

Fri., Sept. 2^nd, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The Taste’s most intimate event features a focused collection of tastings, distinctive cocktail and wine offerings, and a chance to party on the backlot with all of The Times hosts and many of the festival’s participating chefs and bartenders. Restaurants include Badmaash, Little Pine, Love & Salt, Manhattan Beach Post, Son of a Gun and Sweetfin Poke.

Field to Fork

Hosted by Amy Scattergood, Times Food Editor, and Michael Cimarusti, Chef/Owner of Providence and Chef/Partner of Connie and Ted’s

Sat., Sept. 3^rd, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local flavors and seasonal ingredients inspire this day dedicated to California’s endless culinary possibilities. Scattergood will lead a conversation on the new artisan grain movement with Nan Kohler (Grist and Toll), Alex Weiser (Weiser Farms) and Roxana Jullapat (Friends and Family). Cimarusti, who advocates for sustainable seafood, will share his socially-conscious kitchen secrets during a live demo. Madcapra’s masters of produce-driven falafel, Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramer, will team up for a vegetarian cooking how-to. Restaurants include Aqui es Texcoco, Doomie’s Home Cookin’, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Kye’s Montana, L.A. Chapter and Salazar.

Dinner with a Twist

Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, Jenn Harris, Times Deputy Food Editor, and Ray Garcia and Michael Lay, Chef/Owner and Beverage Director – respectively – of Broken Spanish and B.S. Taqueria

Sat., Sept. 3^rd, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Saturday night at The Taste brings the best of L.A.’s dining and cocktail culture together for an al fresco, end-of-summer jam. In an homage to the creative friction that sparks memorable pairings, star chefs and bartenders will duet live on stage, revealing the chemistry behind their signature dishes and drinks. Garcia and Lay will highlight Mexican-American flavors steeped in tradition and crafted with a modern sensibility. Kris Morningstar and Ryan Wainwright (Terrine) will showcase the Southern California terroir interpreted through simple, soulful creations. Gold and Harris will host a group demo with three market-driven mix masters: Katie Emmerson (The Walker Inn), Nathan Oliver (WOLF) and Tobin Shea (Redbird). Restaurants include Church & State, HACHÉ LA, LEONA, Public School, The Bellwether and The Raymond 1886.

Sunday Block Party

Hosted by Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, and Mary Sue Milliken, Co-Chef/Owner, Border Grill

Sun., Sept. 4^th, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The block party takes a cue from the backyard cookout – where great food and good times are the order of the day. Duff Goldman (Charm City Cakes West/“Cake Masters”) will show off his pastry-meets-sculpture skills in a live demo. Milliken, a pioneer of world cuisine in Los Angeles, will serve up modern Mexican fare while Ramiro Arvizu and Jaime Martin del Campo (La Casita Mexicana/Mexicano) will demonstrate authentic dishes from south of the border. In a nod to root-to-stem cooking, Carter will host a discussion on resourceful ways to maximize ingredients with Bruce Kalman (Union/Knead & Co. Pasta Bar), Chris Cormier (L.A. Mission) and Michael Flood (L.A. Regional Food Bank). Restaurants include Chichén Itzá, Donut Farm, Hinoki & the Bird, Mainland Poke, Simbal and The Guild.

Flavors of L.A.

Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, and Kris Yenbamroong, Chef/Owner, NIGHT + MARKET

Sun., Sept. 4^th, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Closing night turns the spotlight on the City of Angels’ glittering mosaic of culinary influences. Gold will explore new Filipino cuisine in a roundtable with three acclaimed chefs: Charles Olalia (Rice Bar), Gary Menes (le comptoir) and Alvin Cailan (EggSlut/UNIT120/AMBOY). L.A. native Yenbamroong, Food & Wine magazine’s current Best New Chef, will demo his classic Thai cooking. Nyesha Arrington (LEONA), famous for farmers market inspired dishes, will share a seasonal recipe. Baroo’s Kwang Uh will provide a glimpse into the future with his freestyle Korean food. And Tricia Carr (The Concoctologist) will lead a cocktail demo with aperitifs, bitter liqueurs and rosé wines. Restaurants include Guisados, Herringbone, Knead & Co. Pasta Bar, Oh Man! Ramen, The Little Jewel of New Orleans and WOLF.

Los Angeles Times The Taste presented by Citi is produced in association with Best Events. Sponsors include Acura and &TOKYO.

Details and tickets: latimes.com/TheTaste

Opening Night tickets: $150

Saturday and Sunday events range from $100 to $125

$25 discount on individual tickets is available exclusively to LA Times subscribers

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ TheTasteLA (#TasteLA).

For complete coverage of the LA Food Fest, click here!