The Taste is back this Labor Day Weekend…stay in LA and Eat!!! Presented by the LA Times, the annual food and wine festival has once again lured the top chefs in Los Angeles to participate in this spectacular event.

On Friday, September 4, enjoy a special opening night soirée where The Times’ hosts and their co-hosts will mingle with a more intimate crowd. You’ll also have a chance to rub shoulders with many of the weekend’s participating chefs and bartenders. Your ticket includes a focused collection of tastings, distinctive beer and wine offerings. There are limited tickets for this event.

Saturday, September 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Field to Fork – Hosted by Russ Parsons, Times Food Writer and Columnist, and Gary Menes, Chef/Owner of Le Comptoir;
California’s bounty of fresh produce inspires this homage to seasonal cooking, punctuated with engaging demos from Jessica Koslow (Sqirl), James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef Sherry Yard (Helm’s Bakery) and Niki Nakayama (n/naka). In addition to offering a glimpse into these locally-inspired perspectives, the event will feature a roundtable moderated by Parsons that examines the rise of the “root-to-stem” philosophy with Menes, Bruce Kalman (Union) and Ari Taymor (Alma). Restaurants include Hinoki & The Bird, Kye’s, M Café, Mayura Indian Cuisine, Michael’s on Naples and Westside Tavern, along with Choctal ice cream.

Saturday, Sept. 5th, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. – Dinner with a Twist – Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, Jenn Harris, Times Deputy Food Editor, Michael Fiorelli, Chef of Love & Salt, and Master Bartender Vincenzo Maríanella; The city’s boldest bites and cutting-edge libations come together in a celebration of pairings highlighted by demos from Love & Salt’s Fiorelli and Marianella; The Church Key’s Steven Fretz and Devon Espinosa; and Petit Trois’ Ludo Lefebvre. Belgian Chef Daniel Joly and Master Beer Sommelier Marc Stroobandt will be on hand for a food and beer pairing demo presented by Stella Artois, and Los Angeles’ innovative cocktail scene will shine in a group demo from Bricia Lopez (Guelaguetza), Zach Patterson (Melrose Umbrella Co.) and Josh Goldman (Soigne Group). Restaurants include Aqui es Texcoco, Diablo Taco, Ensaymada Project, Estrella, Ford’s Filling Station, Rocio’s Mole de los Dioses and The Churchill.

On Saturday night, be sure to look for John D’Alvia of Prestige Wine Imports, the exclusive U.S. importer for Gruppo Mezzacorona. “We will be pouring wines from Trentino Alto-Adige and Sicily, two of the more popular wine growing regions in Italy. From Trentino Alto-Adige, we are offering Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio–a wonderful, crisp and mineral rich wine–as well as Cliffhanger Pinot Grigio and Rosso, which are Mezzacorona’s riserva tier varieties, and a sparkling rose from Rotari. From Sicily, we will be pouring Baci Vivaci, a sparkling Grillo–the most prominent white grape grown on the island–as well as Goosebump, a velvety red blend of Nero d’Avola–the most prominent red grape grown on the island–Syrah, and Merlot. These wines are exceptionally approachable, perfectly balanced, and deliver on value.” – John D’Alvia.  www.mezzacorona.it  www.prestigewineimports.com

Sunday September 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Sunday Brunch and BBQ – Hosted by Amy Scattergood, Times Food Editor, Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, and Corina Weibel, Chef/Co-Owner of Canelé; Over-the-top eats from some of the city’s favorite brunch purveyors and pit masters will be served up in conjunction with demos by Carter, Weibel, Roy Choi (Kogi/A-Frame/POT) and Neil Strawder (Bigmista’s Barbecue). Scattergood will lead a discussion focused on the varied, innovative ways that fire is used in the kitchen with Quinn Hatfield (Odys + Penelope), Michael Kahikina (Barrel and Ashes) and Francisco Perez (Aqui es Texcoco). Restaurants include Canelé, Doomie’s Home Cookin’, POT, The Churchill and The Hudson, along with Diablo Pops.

Sunday September 6, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. – Flavors of L.A. – Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, and Carlos Salgado, Chef of Taco María; The depth, breadth and diversity of flavor that make Los Angeles one of the most exciting places to dine are showcased in the closing-night celebration. Taco maestros Salgado and Wes Avila (Guerilla Tacos), along with critically-lauded chefs Curtis Stone (Maude) and Suzanne Tracht (Jar), will each choose a favorite dish to demo for festival-goers. Delving into the latest SoCal culinary phenomenon, Gold will discuss Things in a Bowl with Alvin Cailan (Ramen Champ/Eggslut), Christine Moore (Lincoln/Little Flower Candy Co.) and Minh Phan (Porridge + Puffs). Restaurants include Bar Pintxo, CHAYA, Gasolina Café, Joe’s Restaurant, Madcapra, Racion and Worldwide Tacos.

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

Parking for all events will be located in the Paramount Pictures Studios parking structures:

Paramount Pictures Gower parking structure – 801 N. Gower Street, LA, 90038
Paramount Pictures Van Ness parking structure – 783 N. Van Ness Avenue, LA 90038

Parking charge will be $13 and is CASH ONLY.

When programming your GPS to reach the event, please program in the parking structure address listed above and please do not attempt to enter the Paramount Pictures lot via either entrance on Melrose Avenue. The Melrose Avenue entrances will not be working parking entrances for the event and you will be redirected.

Public Transport / Taxi drop / Arriving on foot: Please proceed to either the Gower or Van Ness gate. No entry will be permitted through the Melrose gates.

What: THE TASTE 2015
Where: The Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Avenue CA 90038
When: Labor Day Weekend

2022 UPDATE: Unfortunately for all of us The Taste event is no longer taking place and the website has been shut down. See Destinations Section for a full list of food festivals or CLICK HERE for a direct link to the best LA annual Food Events.Visit the Stories Section; under Dining Drinking – the Events Page to read reviews of these food events or CLICK HERE for the direct link.