LA Times' THE TASTE announces hourly schedule for Labor Day Weekend's Food Festival

Hollywood CA (West Hollywood Today)

Photos & facts by Karen Ostlund

Images are from The Taste 2012

Labor Day Picnic at Paramount – Archer Farms Gelato oasis

THE TASTE, Angelenos most popular “eat-drink” 3-days Labor Day food & wine festival is back at Paramount  Studios in Hollywood, Friday  August 30^th  through Sunday, September 1^st .

Esteemed chefs Michael Cimarusti, Sang Yoon, Nancy Silverton and cocktail chef Matthew Biancaniello will each join a member of The Times renowned Food staff,  to present one of the five distinctive events of THE TASTE’s Labor Day weekend festivities.

 

The events include 20 hours in total, divided in five times 4 hours sessions,  listed below.
Each of the five events, , will showcase the people, eats and trends at the heart of L.A.'s dining scene along with unlimited tastings and specialty cocktails.

Hourly schedule of daily cooking demonstrations, food & cocktail tasting: http://events.latimes.com/taste/schedule

Susan Feniger’s Street Food book-signing

Two weeks before THE TASTE, takes over Paramount Pictures Studios, the LA Times has announced the rockstar roster of chefs, bartenders and restaurants participating in the annual Labor Day weekend celebration of the Southern California culinary scene;

Opening Night Presented by Tequila Don Julio  
Friday,  Aug. 30th, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
The festivities will start on a high note with a special soirée attended by all TASTE event hosts and many of the weekend's participating chefs and bartenders. All will join the party on the backlot to enjoy a premium collection of tastings, distinctive cocktail and wine offerings as well as live entertainment. Restaurants will include Bagatelle, Bedford and Burns, Candela Taco Bar & Lounge, Carson House, Coco Laurent, Firefly, Fishing With Dynamite, La Sandía, Lotería Grill, Manhattan Beach Post, Pizzeria Mozza, Oliverio at Avalon Hotel, STK, Taberna Arr óz Y Vi, THE Blvd at Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Alex Weiser, David Le Fevre & Ray Garcia w. host Russ Parsons

Field to Fork – Hosted by Russ Parsons, Times Food Editor, and Michael Cimarusti, Chef/Owner of Providence, Chef/Partner of Connie and Ted's;  
Saturday  Aug. 31st, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Spotlighting seasonal and sustainable dining, this event will feature demos by Ari Taymor (Alma), Sherry Yard (Helms Bakery), Ray Garcia (FIG), and Cimarusti, who will also participate in a panel, "Fish or Famine: Sustainability & the Seafood on Your Plate" with Parsons moderating. Wine experts will share tips for pairing the perfect glass with locally-sourced dishes at two tasting sessions. Participating restaurants include  Canelé, DOMA, Farmshop, good girl dinette, Hamasuku, Michael's on Naples, Momed, Mr Chow, Muddy Leek, Nobu, Pizza Antica, RivaBella, Sun Café Organic & The Curious Palate.

Stella Artois, Leffe & Hoegaarden beer booth,
let you keep the beer-glass

Flavors of L.A. – Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, and Sang Yoon, Chef/Owner of Father's Office and Lukshon. Saturday,  Aug. 31st, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
An homage to everything that makes the Southland a world-class dining destination starting with a compelling look at "The Power of Pop-ups" led by Gold with Gary Menes (Le Comptoir), Craig Thornton (Wolvesmouth) and Nguyen Tran (Starry Kitchen). Cooking demos from Yoon, Brooke Williamson (Hudson House/The Tripel), Bryant Ng (Spice Table), Josef Centeno (Baco Mercat/Bar Ama) and a mixology session with Robin Chopra (Coraz ón y Miel) will round out the locally-flavored programming. Participating restaurants include 800° Degrees, Angelini Osteria, Border Grill, Bulgarini Gelato, Chakra Indian Cuisine, Chichén Itzá, City Tavern, Mayura, Meals by Genet, Pinches Tacos & Wood & Vine.

Mariachi performances outside Hoy Café

Labor Day Block Party – Hosted by Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, and Nancy Silverton, Chef/Co-Owner of Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza, and Founder of La Brea Bakery;
Sunday  Sept. 1st, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This end-of-summer bash will offer an inside look at barbecue with "Going Whole Hog: Tales from Masters of Competition BBQ," a panel led by Carter that features Ryan Chester (The Rub Co.), Sylvia Curry (Lady of Q) and Neil Strawder (Bigmista's Barbecue).
Attendees will also be treated to cooking demos from Silverton and Fred Eric (D'Elish), and Times Columnist Steve Lopez's crowd-pleasing Firehouse Cook-off. Participating restaurants include BOA Steakhouse, Bibigo, Brite Spot, Café Gratitude, Coni'Seafood, Freddy Smalls: Bar & Kitchen, Got Kosher?, Haven Gastropub, Juan's Restaurante, Kings Row Gastropub, Pizzeria il Fico, Pono Burger, Rosebud Cakes and Waffles de Liege.

BOA’s beef filet a popular choice among meat eaters

Cocktail Confidential – Hosted by Betty Hallock, Times Deputy Food Editor, Jessica Gelt, Times Food & Night Life Writer, and Cocktail Chef Matthew Biancaniello, Los Angeles Cocktail Chef;         
Sunday Sept. 1st, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Blurring the lines between cooking and bartending, the final evening will center on a farm-to-glass craft cocktail demo presented by Hallock, Gelt and Biancaniello. Taking it a step further, some of L.A.'s boldest pairs, John Sedlar and Julian Cox (Rivera) and Kuniko Yagi and Brandyn Tepper (Hinoki & the Bird), will share their inspiration for food and drink combinations. Participating restaurants include Chi Lin, Cliff's Edge, Jitlada, L&E Oyster Bar, Manhattan Beach Creamery, Mexikosher, The Pub at Golden Road Brewing, Stella Barra, The Cake Mamas, The Corner Door, The Counter, The Park Restaurant, Worldwide Tacos and Zengo.

Chef Marc Boussarie from The Counter - famous for
its burgers

Los Angeles Times THE TASTE is produced in association with Best Events. 
                                      
Sponsors include Cadillac, Icelandic Glacial, Stella Artois, Svedka and Sysco.  latimes.com/thetaste

 

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