The Brea Chamber of Commerce will kick off the Memorial Day weekend with Its family friendly event The Taste of Brea on Thursday, May 23, 5 – 9pm. The event will take place on 330 West Birch Street Brea in Downtown Brea amid a backdrop of cute boutiques, shops and eateries.
The ticket includes all-you-can-enjoy strolling event featuring over 100 local and regional restaurants, breweries and wineries. Live music, featuring the band Cold Duck.
This year’s restaurants include Blue Scoop Creamery, Bruxie, Brunos, California Fish Grill, Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen, Chubby Sushi & Ramen, Chunk-N-Chip, Fogo de Chao, Kristi’s Catering & Events, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, Loaded Café, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Old Brea Chop House, Protein Lab, and SweetPeas.
This year’s beverage participants include Brewheim Beer Makers, Broken Timbers Brewing Company, Carbon Canyon Coffee, Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen, Falkner Winery, Lasorda Family Wines, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, Polar Beverages, PRP Wine, The Tap Truck, The Bruery, and Wine Guy & Wine Gal.
Many local chamber members and businesses will also be setting up information booths. Exhibitors include Chevron, Dr. Squatch, Alex Horowitz Group, Aloha Veterinary Hospital, Advantage Care Chiropractic, Brea Dentistry, Brea Olinda Unified School District – Career Technical Education Program, Brea Diamond Direct, Brea Modern Dentistry, Brea Police Explorers, Brea Police Department- Know Your Limit, Brea Police Department SWAT Truck, City of Brea – Experience the Arts, Credit Union of Southern California, Custom Comfort Mattress, Darryl & JJ Jones, Dignity Memorial, Kaleo Marketing, Leaf Filter, Navy Federal Credit Union, Reborn Cabinets, Smile Design Advanced Dentistry and many more.
The Taste of Brea is the largest, regional food fair in Orange County; for more information and tickets, please visit tasteofbrea.com
The inaugural Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival will land on the Santa Monica Pier for three days of food and wine festivities March 1st – March 3rd during the art festival Frieze Week Los Angeles which takes place February 26th – March 3rd.
The festival will feature a mix of high-profile culinary and beverage talent, favorite local restaurants, and cultural initiatives with a lineup of 90 participating chefs.
Participating restaurants include award-winning Neapolitan pizza restaurant Pizzana from Daniele Uditi; acclaimed Thai restaurant Jitlada; Holbox, recently ranked #5 on the LA Times 101 Best Restaurants list; Chef Sathia Sun of new Italian hotspot Donna’s; Bridgetown Roti from famed Caribbean pop-up from chef Rashida Holmes; Chinese-Peruvian restaurant Chifa from Humberto Leon, founder of Opening Ceremony fashion brand, and Ricardina Leon; Bé Ù viet-street food; Koreatown smashburger spot Love Hour; Santa Monica seafood restaurants Crudo e Nudo and Isla; Michelin-starred Camphor; Xuntos tapas bar; French bistro Pasjoli; Guerilla Tacos, the popular street-taco restaurant that originated as a food truck from Chef Wes Avila.
The festival is dedicated to highlighting female-owned restaurants in LA. As such, its official nonprofit partner is Regarding Her (RE:Her), a national nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the growth of women entrepreneurs and leaders in food and beverage and advocate gender parity in restaurants.
The festival is presented by IMG, the company behind global events that include The Taste of London, Frieze, and New York Fashion Week: The Shows.
Hours are 7:30pm – 10pm on Friday and Saturday; 12:30pm-3pm on Sunday, and ticket options include daily pricing as well as packages.
Heritage Fire Los Angeles, the festival celebrating pasture diversity and family farming, is back this year after the pandemic hiatus at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel 4pm – 7pm Sunday December 3.
The live-fire nationwide food and wine festival focuses on heirloom produce and heritage breeds of the past before industrial agriculture, when breeds were selected and bred to develop traits that made them adapt to the local environment and thrive under the simpler, more natural farming practices and cultural conditions of those times.
The festival’s national tour stops in 14 cities showcasing an array of sustainably sourced food from the region’s top family farms and local purveyors, and prepared by some of the region’s best chefs. Each destination attracts over 20 local chefs at a three-hour live-fire event, with each chef preparing a signature dish for an all-inclusive walk-around reception feast with products from locally sourced farms and sponsors. Guests vote for the ‘Best Bite of the Day’, and the chef who accumulates the highest number of votes earns the title of Heritage Hero.
The festival also makes a point of going strawless, offering napkins upon request, water use protocols in prep kitchens, digitizing handbooks and documents, using eco-friendly cleaning materials without pesticides, and other efforts for reducing its carbon footprint, all facilitated with a dedicated festival app. With this educational messaging directed at the 10,000 guests, 250-plus chefs, and 150-plus family farms and numerous culinary schools each year, the festival hopes to make a long-term impact.
The Los Angeles stop features an all-star cast of top chefs that includes Ian Mafnas, owner, Qiana Mafnas, chef Axiom Kitchen; Eduardo Osorio, chef Yardbird; Françoise Claquin, owner Brulee LA; Justin Escobedo, owner El Gueero y La Flaca; Carlo Guardado, chef Herb & Sea; Kim Prince, owner Hotville Chicken; Alan Cruz, chef owner A’S BBQ; Elisha Ben-Haim, chef and culinary director American Beauty; Daniel Castillo, pitmaster, Nicholas Echaore, executive chef Heritage BBQ; Francisco Aguilar, chef owner Simon.
Beverages will include premium wines, spirits, beer, and cider, along with craft cocktails like infused smoked old fashion spirits, signature punches, Manhattan Project style cocktails, tiki bar concoctions, heritage rum carts, mezcal bars, and other premium spirits. Live entertainment will round out the festivities.
All tickets are all-inclusive food and beverage, with a VIP Access ticket offering early entry. Attendees must be 21+ to attend.For more information and tickets, please visit https://heritagefiretour.com/los-angeles.
Pasadena magazine will present its 1st Annual Taste of Pasadena, a strolling culinary festival featuring unlimited tastings by some of the best restaurants from Pasadena, and around the San Gabriel Valley. The inaugural celebration will take place on Friday, October 6th at the Pasadena Convention Center 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
A wide array of culinary offerings include Arth Bar + Kitchen, Cabrera’s Mexican Cuisine, Celestino Ristorante, Champion’s Curry, Engine Co. No. 28, Farina Pizza, Five 55, Fogo De Chao, Granville, Great Maple, Mama M Sushi, Lunasia Modern Dim Sum & Cuisine, Kaviar, Pez Cantina, The Luggage Room Pizzeria & La Grande Orange, Osawa Shabu Shabu & Sushi, The Raymond 1886, Santa Anita Park, Twohey’s, with more expected to be announced later.
Desserts will be provided by Beard Papa’s Pasadena, Bertha Mae’s Brownie Co., Esther & Olivia BouqCakes, I Like Pike Bakeshop, Marsatta Chocolate, Ms. Rhonda’s Crack-N-Pop, and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Wines will be poured by Adobe Road Winery (Sonoma County), Bernardus Winery (Carmel Valley), Bouchaine Vineyards (Carneros Napa Valley), Defiance Vineyard (Paso Robles), The Mill Keeper by Gamble Family Vineyards (Napa Valley), Tercero Wines (Santa Barbara), Vino Los Angeles (Mexico), Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards (Temecula Valley), and more.
Spirits, Cocktails, Beer, Music, and Special Experiences courtesy of Acqua Panna, Cerveceria Del Pueblo, Balcones, Corbin Cash Distillery, Casa Azul Tequila, Dough Ball Whiskey, Frey Ranch Farmers + Distillers, Knox & Dobson, Mezcal 33, Old Hillside Bourbon, Rancho La Gloria Tequila, Shelter Distilling, and many more.
Partners and sponsors include AbilityFirst, Pasadena Convention Center, Visit Pasadena, Sodexo Live!, Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, Yelp, and Viva LA.
For more information and tickets, please visit Pasadenamag.com/taste.
California Spirit will return this year to Fox Studios Commissary Lawn, to bring L.A. foodies up close and personal with some the city’s top chefs for an evening of culinary arts, cocktails, and creativity celebrating the American Cancer Society’s progress in the fight against cancer.
Represented chefs include Nancy Silverton of Mozza, Suzanne Goin of A.O.C., Katianna Hong & John Hong of Yangban, Burt Bakman of Slab, Govind Armstrong of The Lobster, Jazz Singalong of Jitlada, Lien Ta & Jonathan Whitener of Here’s Looking At You, Jorge Alvarez of Tacos 1986, Mark Rosati of Shake Shack, Pawan, Nakul & Arjun Mahendro of Badmaash, Tyler Malek of Salt & Straw.
Pouring will be Peroni, Justin Wine, Eleven Eleven, Monkey Shoulder, Charles Krug, Ehlers Estate, Pasqua, J. Lohr, Ettole, Valdo, Milagro Tequila, Hendrick’s Gin, and Reyka vodka.
The event includes inspirational speakers, live and silent auctions, and will be hosted by Billy Harris. Flowers will be available for the event’s Garden of Hope ‘In Honor Of’ or ‘In Memory Of a loved one who has survived, is fighting or has lost the battle against cancer. The flowers with names of loved ones will be displayed in the Garden of Hope.
General Admission is at 4:00 p.m., with an early VIP Hour 3:00 p.m, and guests are encouraged to ‘Pink Out’ by wearing pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
All proceeds from California Spirit benefit the American Cancer Society’s mission to save and celebrate lives, and fight for a world without cancer. Co-Founded by Wolfgang Puck and Sherry Lansing in 1984, California Spirit has raised more than $18 million for the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society is the largest private funder of cancer research in the United States, with more than $5 billion invested in life-saving research for cancer prevention, detection and treatment.
Quietly opened in November 2022, one of Westwood’s newest cocktail and dining destination beckons with its New American, global Angeleno cuisine. Helmed by Chef Fidel Guzman, its menu focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
The To Start features dishes like Brown Butter Labneh, Hummus with chili crisps, Burrata with grilled and flambé peaches, Esquites, Mushroom Arancini, Shrimp Toast, Steak Tartare, Shawarma, and Bone Marrow & Black Garlic.
Handmade Pastas include Rigatoni Diavola, Cacio e Pepe, and Bolognese.
The Entrées boast selections such as Pan Roasted Pork Chop with a togarashi-whiskey glaze, Steak Frites, Wolfsglen Burger with candied bacon, spicy aioli, and arugula, Beyond Burger, Roast Chicken with aji verde and pea tendrils, Seared Salmon served with a pineapple ginger glaze and miso potato purée, Seared Striped Bass, and Cauliflower Steak with curry and raisin chutney.
Desserts include Homemade Peach Pie, Mango Sweet Rice, Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake, and Ricotta Donuts with blueberry compote and lemon curd.
Signature bar offerings include the Razz-Mez-Tazz with mezcal, mango, spicy bitter, agave and Tajin, Purple Rain with gin, blueberry purée, lemon, and butterfly pea flower, Geisha’s Kiss with Masumi sparkling sake, elderflower liqueur, and lychee purée, and Black Gold with Neft vodka, simply syrup, cucumbers, and activated charcoal. Wine, Red Wine, Rosé, Sparking, Beer and cider are also available.
Inspired by the legacy of John Wolfskill, a former state senator and pioneer rancher who played a pivotal role in the development of Westwood Village, the restaurant is located in a historic 1930s two-story building with beautiful high ceilings, modern design, a patio for al fresco dining, and private event spaces.
The restaurant’s rich history, elegant ambiance, and menu blends history, culture, and cuisine into a unique dining experience with friends, intimate gatherings, and special events. Of note is a Howlin’ Hour Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 pm-6:00 pm and Late-Night Howlin’ Hour Friday and Saturday from 11:00 pm-12:30 am.
For more information and reservations,please visit www.Wolfsglen.com.
Los Angeles Times’ Food Bowl, the annual celebration of Southern California’s food scene returns in September, along with its centerpiece Night Market at Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot. The three-day outdoor food and drink festival Sept. 22, 23 & 24 features unlimited tastings from more than 120 restaurants per session, live cooking demonstrations from world-renowned chefs and culinary personalities and DJs.
Three themed events include:
Fiesta Friday,” Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. The all-inclusive celebration of L.A.’s Latin American flavors will feature restaurants, cocktails and more from Mexico, the Caribbean and beyond, with cooking demonstrations from Bricia Lopez (Guelaguetza) and Danny Trejo (Trejo’s Tacos). VIP tickets are available for purchase and include early event entry, plus drive-on parking and access to an exclusive lounge. Participating restaurants include: A’s BBQ, Alfalfa, Anajak Thai, Awan, Bake Some Noise, Belles Beach House, Blue Plate Oysterette, Bridgetown Roti, Broad Street Oyster Co., By-You Dogg, Caviar Kaspia, Chichén Itzá, Coucou, Dino’s Famous Chicken, Dulanville Food Truck, East Side Cheesecakes, El Barrio Cantina, El Ruso, Evil Cooks, Farmhouse Kitchen, Fishing with Dynamite, Ggiata, Guelaguetza, Heavy Handed, Holbox, I Love Micheladas, Ilé Bistro, Kogi BBQ, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, LA Cha Cha Chá, La Sorted’s Pizza, Love Hour, Love.Life, Luv2eat Thai Bistro, Maple Block Chicken, Mini Kabob, Mírate, Moto Ramen, Nossa Caipirinha Bar, Paradise Dynasty, Park’s BBQ, Puesto, Ronan, Soulmate, Tacos 1986, Tallula’s, Villa’s Tacos and Wanderlust Creamery.
Saturday Night Flavor, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. Spotlighting global cuisine that reflects quintessential L.A., Saturday will feature cooking demonstrations from Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn (Le Du, Bangkok), Justin Pichetrungsi (Anajak Thai), Ahmad Alzahabi (The Golden Balance), Nick DiGiovanni (YouTube, “MasterChef”) and Food Network’s Aarti Sequeira (“Unwind: A Devotional Cookbook for the Harried and Hungry). Participating restaurants include: 626 Hospitality Group, Amiga Amore, Awan, Bake Some Noise, Blue Plate Oysterette, Botanica, Broad Street Oyster Co., By-You Dogg, Cabra, Camphor, Caviar Kaspia, Chao Krung Thai & Tuk Tuk Thai, Chimmelier, Dino’s Famous Chicken, Dulanville Food Truck, East Side Cheesecakes, El Ruso, Evil Cooks, Farmhouse Kitchen, Genghis Cohen, Girl & the Goat, Hamasaku, Holbox, Holy Basil, Ilé Bistro, Intercrew LA, Kato, Kinn, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, Le Coupé, Loreto, Love.Life, Lunetta, Luv2eat Thai Bistro, n/soto, Open Market, Osteria Mamma, Paradise Dynasty, Poncho’s Tlayudas, Salt & Straw, Sichuan Impression, Stella, Stellar Pizza, STK Steakhouse, Sunday Gravy, Tacos 1986, The Brothers Sushi, Villa’s Tacos and Xuntos.
Backlot Brunch Sept. 24 at 12 pm Sunday’s brunch event will turn the backlot into an afternoon block party for all ages, featuring barbecue, burgers and cooking demonstrations from Tiffani Thiessen (“Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers”), Timothy Hollingsworth (Otium) and Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster, Hav & Mar). Participating restaurants include: Alfalfa, Awan, Bake Some Noise, Bridgetown Roti, Brique French Toastery, Broad Street Oyster Co., By-You Dogg, Caviar Kaspia, De La Nonna, Di Di, Ditroit Taqueria, Dulanville Food Truck, El Ruso, Farmhouse Kitchen, Goodboybob Coffee Roasters, Guzzu Bento-ya, Happy Ice, Heritage Barbecue, Holey Grail Donuts, Ilé Bistro, Jitlada, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, La Sorted’s Pizza, Le Shrimp Noodle Bar, Love.Life, Mírate, Mo’s House of Axe, Moo’s Craft Barbecue, Mozza Restaurant Group, Ospi, Jame, Jemma, Jemma di Mare, Paderia Bakehouse, Paloma Venice, Pasjoli, Pop’s Bagels, Prime Pizza, Ray’s BBQ, Rocco’s Deli Italiano, Saltie Girl, Slab, Stellar Pizza, Tacos 1986, The Brothers Sushi, Tulsi Indian Eatery, Turok’s Cheesecake and West & Co.
The 7th Annual Festival Chapin will return to Lafayette Park in Los Angeles on Saturday August 26 & Sunday August 27. The free festival celebrates Guatemalan culture and its vibrant community via the country’s historic folklore, music, arts & crafts and gastronomy.
Chapín is a word that many Guatemalans use to describe their ethnicity with pride, and the history of the word dates back to the 15th century, when Chapines were a type of popular platform in Spain. The footwear f eventually disappeared but the name persists as an adjective for a person from Guatemala.
Metro Los Angeles is also home to several notable Guatemalans, including the prominent street artist Mauricio “Cache” Reyes, as well as a plethora of Guatemalan restaurants serving up delicious traditional dishes. Many of them will be represented at the Festival. Food available for purchase will including the rich, traditional foods of Guatemala like garnachas (similar to a Mexican ‘sope’), shucos (Guatemalan-style hot dogs), chicken pepian, enchiladas, and hilachas (stewed meat).
Footwear, pottery, jewelry, clothes, tablecloths, and traditional purses. A health fair will provide health information from L.A. Care, Dignity Health, Molina Healthcare, Party Time Pediatric Dentist, Smile California Medi-cal Dental insurance, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs among others.
The Central American country of the Republic of Guatemala historically formed the core of the Maya civilization, one of the most highly developed societies in the history of the Americas and the world. After being subjugated by Spanish rule, Guatemala became an independent republic in 1821. A decades-long civil war that began in the 1950s provided the impetus for generations of Guatemalans to seek a better life abroad, often in states like Florida, Texas, and California.
Metro Los Angeles is home to one of the largest Guatemalan populations outside of Guatemala.
Communities with substantial numbers of Guatemalans include the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Hawthorne, Palmdale, Inglewood, Paramount and the unincorporated communities of Lennox and Val Verde.
Chapin Summer Festival Inc. is a non-profit organization based in California that’s committed to promoting the art and culture of Guatemala abroad. Its mission is to offer resources to educational institutions in Guatemala that help to promote the education, health and well-being for children from less-advantaged homes in the country.
