The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival returns for its second year with three sessions over the weekend of Friday, November 7 – Sunday, November 9. Friday and Saturday will feature Grand Tasting events while Sunday will conclude with The Final Bite: Peroni’s Italian Affair, an Italian-themed celebration hosted by Peroni, the official beer partner of The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival.
The 2025 Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival will bring together a star-studded lineup of notable chefs from across the nation and Southern California including culinary icons and rising stars shaping the future of LA dining. Each of the three sessions will feature over thirty chefs presenting their signature bites along with beverage selections from top regional and
award-winning wineries, and craft cocktails from top mixologists at walk-around tastings that will also include other immersive pop-ups and brand installations. Live entertainment will include top DJ sets will round out the experience.
Featured chef personalities include Stephanie Izard, Gabe Bertaccini, Antonia Lofaso, Giorgio Rapicavoli, Brooke Williamson, and brother duo Michael and Bryan Voltaggio. appearances from Ludo Lefebvre of Petit Trois, Michael Symon of Lola, Claudette Zepeda of Leu Leu, Rashida Holmes of Bridgetown Roti, Avner Levi of CENTO Pasta and Raw Bar, and Jazz Singsanong of Jitlada. AWFF is produced by a21, the team behind some of the country’s top culinary festivals.
This year’s event will be co-hosted by Tastemade, known for its leading food and lifestyle brand engaging audiences on major social and streaming platforms.
The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival is proud to support Event Zero Inc., a non-profit organization to help make the festival more sustainable.
Guests can choose between General or VIP admission. VIP pass holders enjoy early entry one hour before general admission and access to exclusive lounges offering exclusive bites and cocktails. A special weekend pass maximises savings by offers access to all three days.
For tickets and more information, visit https://www.lawineandfood.com/.
Los Angeles magazine will host its 19th annual The Food Event at the iconic Calamigos Ranch on Sunday November 16th, 12:00 – 3pm.
The much-anticipated epicurean extravaganza will feature samples from some of the city’s finest restaurants, along with premier wines, spirits and cocktail tastings, craft beer, live music, and more.
Mexico City’s celebrated modern Mexican dining concept, La Popular is making its much anticipated debut in the heart of Hollywood at the newly reimagined Ovation Hollywood, formerly Hollywood & Highland.
Executive Chef Arevalo unveils a menu that celebrates traditional Mexican dishes with bold, inventive tweaks.
Starters range from the Ahi Tuna tostadas with chipotle aioli and crisped leeks to the seafood ceviche brightened with citrus and serrano.
The Soups & Salads section features a richly layered tortilla soup with fried ancho chiles and chicharron, and Corn Off The Cob Salad dressed in Tajín-lime vinaigrette.
Taco Plates features classics like carnitas and ribeye along with the more inventive creamy chipotle shrimp taco with refried beans and rice.
Enchiladas too upgrade tradition in smoky short rib Colorado, the Queso, the Suizas shrimp and pulled hicken.
Mexican staples in Platos Especiales include braised quesabirria with consommé, a hearty burrito with birria, carnitas, or chicken, the Asada with chimichurri butter, and the chicken mole Poblano with sesame and spice.
Sides recall the street culture with street corn, Tajín fries, and golden fried plantains.
A special Kids Menu features favorites like chicken or steak tacos, a gooey cheese quesadilla, a hearty chicken bowl with rice and beans, and a classic kids burrito with flour tortilla, rice, beans, and cheese that help make La Popular a family outing.
Dulces favorites include warm Churros dipped in rich chocolate and silky cajeta sauce, and flan topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel. There’s also a decadent Turtle Pie with peanut butter, chocolate, caramel, and candied pecans.
The beverage portfolio emphasizes single-origin tequilas and mezcals, barrel-to-glass sourcing of agave spirits in all their diversity. The equila & Mezcal collection spans Blancos, Reposados, Añejos, Cristalinos, Rosas, and rare Single-Origin Mezcals from Espadín to Tobalá and Arroqueño.
There’s a curated wine list and a craft-forward beer selection that integrates both Mexican and local producers. Inventive cocktailslist complement both the menu and evolving guest preferences that incorporates a sophisticated non-alcoholic craft selection.
La Popular will officially open on Monday, September 22nd, 2025, Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 midnight.
The upcoming second annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival, the two-night strolling culinary extravaganza will feature an Opening Night Celebration on Friday, September 12th, 2025, and a Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 13th, 2025.
Both evenings will feature an all-star lineup of 23 of the best chefs and restaurants, wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, non-alcoholic beverages, and live entertainment.
Chef talent lineup announced to date includes a lineup of 46 top chefs, with more expected to be announced soon. They include:
Event Host Chef Neal Fraser: Redbird, Vibiana– Downtown Los Angeles, CA
The festival will be held at Manhattan Village in a 40,000-square-foot outdoor space located at the end of the Veterans Parkway Greenbelt Path, a beautiful landscaped trail that runs through Manhattan Beach to Hermosa Beach. Manhattan Village will offer complimentary parking, allowing guests an easy walk to the event,. Guests are also encouraged to use Lyft rideshare services.
Manhattan Beach Food & Wine will benefit the Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP). Long co-chaired by chef Marcus Samuelsson, C•CAP is a workforce development nonprofit that provides underserved teens pathways to pursue careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Annually, C•CAP provides culinary, job and life skills in 186 schools across the United States.
Festival tickets are on sale now, with regular admission from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and a Delta VIP Early Entry Pass from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
The 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine, a two-night strolling culinary extravaganza will feature an opening night celebration on Friday, September 12th, 2025, and Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 13th 2025 with an all-star lineup of 40 top chefs.
With the dates approaching soon, event organizers hosted a preview event at the Westridge Hotel in Manhattan Beach on August 21, 6pm. Restaurants participating in the food festival showed up to share the excitement and provide a sneak peak into the upcoming extravaganza of tastes and indulgences.
During the formal presentation the organizers mused on how the event got started. Shelby Russell stood in a nearby parking lot and conceived of this event. Sherry yard recalled how she traveled to food events all over the world and wondered, why not here? “I live right down the street and I could walk here.”
The rest, as they say, is history. Already in its second year, the event is set to feature twice as many chefs and beverage participants.
The 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine is a 21+ event. Event tickets are now on sale, with Regular Admission 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm each evening, as well as a Delta VIP Early Entry Pass from 6:00 pm on.
Guests are encouraged to utilize Lyft rideshare services as the event serves alcoholic beverages. Walking to the event is encouraged, with complimentary parking also available at Manhattan Village.
St. Vincent Meals on Wheels will once again host its fourth annual Hollywood Under the Stars gala fundraiser at the Paramount Pictures lot on Saturday June 21, 6:30p.m.
The evening kicks off with a champagne and cocktail VIP Hour in the iconic Paramount Theater hosted by longtime Circle of Angels donors and 2024 Special Honorees Ian McShane and Gwen Humble-McShane featuring bites crafted by VIP Angel Chef Hosts Giuseppe Gentile and Francesco Zimone from Florence Osteria & Piano Bar and L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele.
Then, nearly a dozen celebrated Angeleno chefs and pâtissiers will showcase a chef-curated tasting menu from 2025 Culinary Angels, who include Chefs Mihir Lad (Arth Bar + Kitchen), Nika Shoemaker-Machado (Georgia’s Restaurant), John Sungkamee (Thai Emporium), Armando Quiroz (City Club LA), and Noah Clark (BOX Chicken). Desserts will be provided by this year’s Sweet Angels Saffy’s, Bertha Mae’s Brownie Co., Lark Cake Shop, and Marsatta Chocolate.
A brief formal presentation at approximately 8:00 pm will highlight the depth and breadth of services provided to seniors in LA County by St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.
Nelly Llanos-Kilroy will be honored with the St. Vincent Meals on Wheels Crystal Angel of Service Award in recognition of her decades of unwavering support for the organization and exemplifying the spirit of community at St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.
Guests continue the celebration with signature cocktails and dancing under the stars to the lively sounds of a 10-piece live band the de Bois All Stars.
Longtime donor and volunteer Rick Llanos will be back as the Honorary Host of Hollywood Under the Stars 2025. Rick’s connection to St. Vincent Meals on Wheels spans generations, beginning in his childhood when his mother, Nelly, and her close friend Kathy Kilroy collaborated with SVMOW’s founder, Sister Alice Marie, in the 1970s. Together, Rick, Nelly, and their family continue to actively support SVMOW by participating in events and sharing the organization’s incredible achievements.
St. Vincent Meals on Wheels supports those who are homebound and vulnerable throughout LA County, preparing and delivering food to those in need. These services are particularly in need during emergencies like the recent fires in LA. The need for fundraising and the support of donors is currently heightened by the cutbacks in federal funding even as Los Angeles County is experiencing the fastest-growing population of seniors facing food and housing insecurities.
Corporate and community sponsors include Kroger, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul; individual supporters like Rick Llanos and Nelly Llanos-Kilroy; and media sponsor Times Direct.
With Paramount Pictures as the venue for the evening, guests are encouraged to dress recalling the nostalgia for Old Hollywood. Although tables will be reserved, guests are encouraged to mingle and visit all the restaurant stations and bars.
For more information and tickets to Hollywood Under the Stars, please visit: www.svmow.org/hollywood
The Mushroom Council is touring the nation this spring to spotlight the flavor, versatility and sustainability of fresh mushrooms and the dedication of farmers who help bring this superfood from farm to plate.
The Los Angeles stop of the gourmet roadshow celebrated all things mushroom at a cocktail reception at Century City Italian specialty market Eataly’s Terra Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge on Monday, June 2, 7 pm.
The event launched the restaurant’s month-long Mushroom Monday promotion featuring a mushroom-forward tasting menu of signature dishes and mushroom infused cocktails created by Eataly’s chefs.
Passed appetizers included spiedinos of Cremini mushrooms and cippolini with balsamic. There was fritto of crispy tempura oyster mushroom with thyme aioli. Pizza alla palla featured roasted cremini and button mushrooms with mozzarella and provolone.
Mushroom tasting stations displayed Insalata Spinaci with baby spinach and roasted shiitake mushrooms with sherry vinaigrette and parmigiano. A housemade casarecce pasta featured a mixed mushroom ragù with fresh herbs and Grana Padano. A gnocchi with sausage and oyster mushroom ragù was topped with pecorino romano. Portabella mushrooms were grilled with rosemary oil. A Double R Ranch striploin steak featured maitake compound butter.
Two signature cocktails included Beech, Please! – a white beech mushroom–infused Botanist gin, Campari, Baldoria Umami vermouth. Shroom Service featured Japanese whiskey, shiitake mushroom cordial and soda.
Table displays featured a gamut of mushrooms.
The formal presentation featured remarks by a Mushroom Council spokeswoman and Eataly’s culinary team.
If you hadn’t had your fill of mushrooms yet, there was a gift bag on your way out, with – you guessed it – more mushrooms to cook at home!
Photo Credit: Nicholas Gingold | Craft Media Solutions
To honor firefighters, first responders, and community heroes for their efforts during the recent wildfires, Chefs ❤️ LA hosted a fundraiser at Lawry’s The Prime Rib Beverly Hills on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
Brad Metzger, President of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions and Founder/Producer of LA Chef Con, and Jacqui Leanza, Managing Partner of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions joined Tiffany Stith, COO of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc., and Ryan Wilson, CEO of Lawry’s Restaurants to put the event together.
The line up of L.A.’s top chefs included Curtis Stone, Michael Cimarusti, Suzanne Goin, Nyesha Arrington who all volunteered their time and talent pro bono.
The evening was hosted by Somebody Feed Phil creator Phil Rosenthal, Nine-time James Beard Award-Winning journalist Ruth Reichl, Los Angeles Times food columnist Jenn Harris, Brad Metzger, Jacqui Leanza, and auctioneer Billy Harris.
The VIP Michelin Experience Hour featured eight Michelin Chef Tastings and an elegant Eight-Course Tasting Menu for 262 guests.
It showcased seven signature dishes from culinary icons including William Bradley, Josiah Citrin, Michael Cimarusti, Jordan Kahn, Niki Nakayama & Carole Lida-Nakayama, Jon Yao, and Curtis Stone, along with Astrea Caviar, six premium wines, and three craft cocktails that included Chef Michael Voltaggio’s Marcado 28 Tequila and Chef Elizabeth Falkner’s T’MARO Amaro.
Chef Daniel Boulud and his team prepared a delicate Mushroom Consommé to substitute for their Lobster Bisque for those with shellfish allergies, while Chef Suzanne Goin crafted an alternative to her signature salad for guests with pork or dairy restrictions.
The all-star lineup of chefs included Daniel Boulud, Jonathan Waxman, Ludovic Lefebvre, Nyesha Arrington, Suzanne Goin, Tiffany Dela Pena, Timothy Cardenas, Burt Bakman, Jeremy Fox, Katianna & John Hong, Andreas Roller, Clemence de Lutz + Sherry Yard.
Billy Harris led the Live Auction offering unique experiences that included: New York Culinary Getaway, a luxury NYC experience with stays at 1 Hotel, exclusive dinners at Le Bernardin and Peter Luger, and an insider’s tour with Andrew Friedman, Ultimate LA Taco & Tequila Experience, a private taco crawl with Bill Esparza and Chef Michael Voltaggio, Wynn Las Vegas Luxury Package, a premier getaway with top-tier accommodations and exclusive tastings from Wynn’s celebrated chefs, Michelin-Starred San Diego Culinary Getaway, a four-night stay at the newly reimagined Lafayette Hotel with exclusive tastings at Addison, Juniper & Ivy, and more, Los Angeles Luxury Staycation with oceanfront stays at Casa del Mar and Shutters, with VIP dining experiences at Funke, Bestia, Lulu, and Majordomo.
Los Angeles Deputy Fire Chief Jaime Moore, CAL FIRE Division Chief Anthony Jones, CAL FIRE Prevention Specialist Chloe Castillo, U.S. Army Veteran, CAL FIRE Division Chief Matthew Edmiston, and Ventura County Fire Andy Vansciver attended as Guests of Honor.
Co-Event Producer Jacqui Leanza managed the development of the CHEFS ❤️ LA website, managed the ticketing platform, addressed dietary restrictions and allergies, and oversaw charity and sponsor relations.
All event VIP Tickets as well as Dinner Tickets sold out within fifteen minutes on Saturday, February 1st, underscoring the public’s desire to support wildfire relief.
The evening’s Live Auction alone raised over $104,000. The evening’s final tally exceeded over $850,000. All proceeds benefited World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care, which provides critical support to hospitality workers affected by the wildfires.
For more information, and to donate or find ways to support World Central Kitchen or Restaurants Care, please visit www.WCK.org or www.RestaurantsCare.org
