Our Pick of the week is the Taste. If you are a true foodie….this is an AMAZING event. I have attended before and am scheduled to go this weekend as well. Be prepared to EAT!

Presented by the LA Times, the annual food and wine festival has brought together the top chefs in Los Angeles to create a memorable and tasty event.

Why leave town, when you can stay in LA and EAT? This is THE place to be in Los Angeles this weekend!

The event takes place at the famed Paramount Studios, home to many TV shows and movies. It makes for an exquisite venues for a fun festive weekend of eating and drinking.

Enjoy a special opening night soirée where The Times’ hosts and their co-hosts will mingle with a more intimate crowd.

The Times’ renowned Food staff, the festival’s co-hosts, and participating chefs and bartenders gather for a soiree with a focused collection of tastings, premium cocktail and wine offerings, and live entertainment. Restaurants include CAFÉ del REY, DeSano Pizza Bakery, Girasol, Guelaguetza, Hamasaku, Mexicali Taco & Co., Pedalers Fork, Phorage, Plan Check, Sotto, Sushi Roku, THE Blvd Restaurant, Waterloo & City.

Opening Night. Fri., Aug. 29, 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. (21+)

Field to Fork – Hosted by Russ Parsons, Times Food Editor, and Nancy Silverton, Chef/Co-Owner of Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza, and Founder of La Brea Bakery. A day inspired by fresh, seasonal dishes made lovingly with local ingredients; Sat., Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dinner with a Twist – Hosted by Betty Hallock, Times Deputy Food Editor; Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic; John Sedlar, Chef/Owner of Rivera; and Master Bartender Julian Cox. An evening destined to deliver this town’s tastiest plates and complementary pours; Sat., Aug. 30, 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. (21+)

Sunday Brunch – Hosted by Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, and Thomas Keller, Chef/Proprietor of The French Laundry, Per Se, Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery and Ad Hoc. An homage to the most beloved mash-up of mealtimes, brunch; Sun., Aug. 31, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (All ages)

Flavors of LA – Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, and Michael Cimarusti, Chef/Owner of Providence, Chef/Partner of Connie and Ted’s. A tour of the world’s most authentic flavors through essential L.A.-based chefs and local restaurants; Sun., Aug. 31, 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. (21+)

The closing night spotlights the city’s rich and varied tastes with demos from Cimarusti, Evan Kleiman (KCRW’s “Good Food”), Jimmy Shaw (Lotería Grill) and Amelia Posada (Lindy & Grundy). Exploring the art and science of foraging, Gold will talk found fare with chefs Ari Taymor (Alma) and Wes Avila (Guerrilla Tacos) and wild food expert Pascal Baudar.

Culinary mixologist Tricia Carr will cap off the evening with a crushed cocktails how-to. Restaurants include Acabar, Ayara Thai Cuisine, Border Grill, Fishing with Dynamite, Horse Thief BBQ, Manhattan Beach Post, Meals by Genet, Mr. Chow, Osteria and Pizzeria Mozza, Phorage, Pine & Crane, Urban Garden.

Opening Night tickets are $150. Tickets for each of the Saturday and Sunday events range from $100 to $175, and a $25 discount on individual tickets is available exclusively to Los Angeles Times members. Buy Tickets Here!

What: THE TASTE 2014
Where: The Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Avenue CA 90038
When: Labor Day Weekend
Website: http://events.latimes.com/taste/