The Los Angeles edition of America’s beloved, live-fire, open-air culinary experience Heritage Fire will take place at Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 6 at 4:15pm, with an early VIP access at 3:30pm.
The all-inclusive, walk-around tour will feature a lineup of local chefs grilling globally inspired, heritage-breeds al fresco. The offerings include a wide array of meats and heirloom vegetables from the region’s top family farms and local purveyors to educate consumers and offer hands-on experience with ethically sourced food sourced straight from the farm to the table. The feast will be complemented by a variety of beverages from local wineries.
The all-star cast of top chefs from Los Angeles and beyond will include Phi Martin of Black Cat BBQ, Ben Diaz of Cork Fire Kitchen, Javier Lopez of 71Above, Uyen Le of Bé Ù, Marcos & Nayomie Mendoza of Cuernavaca’s Grill, Alex & Elvia Garcia of Evil Cooks, Daniel Castillo & Nick Echaore of Heritage Barbecue, Owen Jay Hankle of Smoke&Ashes, Robert Liberato of STK Steakhouse, Jackson Kalb of Jemma Hollywood, Lucy Haro of Qusqo, and more.
Free-flowing drinks will be available from Two Times Oak, Clink Different, El Jimador Tequila, Franciscan Estate, Freemark Abbey Napa Valley, Frey Ranch Farmers + Distillers, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, Westward Whiskey, Garrison Brothers Distillery, Glenfiddich, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Polemonium Wines, Diplomatic Rum, Rums of Puerto Rico, and Una Vodka. Non-alcoholic drinks include of LaCroix Sparkling Water. The event will also feature permanent jewelry by Link x Lou and a produce stand by Farm Lot 59.
Tickets include unlimited curated dishes, beverage pairings, live entertainment and more. The evening culminates with guests voting for the ‘Best Bite of the Day’ and the announcement of one Heritage Hero champion. Attendees must be 21+ to attend.
Project by Project will hold its annual fundraiser Plate by Plate at the Wallis Annenberg at California Science Center in Los Angeles on Saturday September 14, 6 – 10pm.
Asian American community’s top chefs, restaurants, leaders, beverage and culinary brands, leaders and influencers will gather to celebrate 24 years of philanthropy and service within the Southern California Asian American community.
The general admission ticket will include samples of signature dishes from over 25 restaurants. They include Marco Polo, Wildwonder, Kazu Nori, Brique, Farmhouse Kitchen, Masarap cafe, Yoboseyo Suprette, Emporium Thai, Jemma Hollywood, One Hot Minute, Sunmerry Bakery cafe, Yoju, Turok’s Cheesecakes, 626 Hospitality, Flouring, Alexander’s Steakhouse, Chubby foods, Meet Fresh, Easy Tomorrow, Carasau Restaurante, Rakkan Ramen, Intercrew LA, Banh Khot Lady, Mochima, and Cafe Dulce.
Drinks include Suntory, Pacific International Liquor, Krikori Rice Whiskey, Asahi, The Plug, Only Hydration, and Matchako.
A VIP ticket will include one hour of early access to the event, as well as an exclusive VIP-only lounge access.
Live entertainment to amp up the fun include peformances by violinist Jessica Chen and Cellist Henry Chen, lyra performers Ruby and Shelbee, dance by Miss Shu Mai, a magic show by Anna DeGuzman, and caricatures by James.
A silent auction will invite bids on gift cards from museums, entertainment parks, restaurants, and liquor brands.
And if you want still more fun, you can attend the highly celebrated after-party.
The theme for this this year’s event is Food Insecurity in AAPI Communities, highlighting the issue’s impact on access to healthy, culturally relevant food. Event proceeds benefit this year’s beneficiary partner Thai Community Development Center.
The three local chapters of Project by Project in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco select a local AAPI non-profit partner annually to develop a year long partnership to consult, raise awareness and funds. For the past 26 years, PbP has championed philanthropic endeavors and partnered with over 50 AAPI non-profits in the three local communities with outreach, public awareness, and fundraising efforts in 19 campaign themes – from mental health, domestic violence, sustainability, homelessness, to even voter engagement and education access. The annual tasting benefit is one of PbP-LA’s signature events of the year.
For more information and tickets, please visit https://www.projectbyproject.org/ and https://www.platebyplate.org/los-angeles
The Los Angeles Times will again host Food Bowl, its annual culinary festival celebrating Southern California’s evolving food scene at the Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot. Cookbook authors and renowned chefs from hundreds of restaurants will delight foodies with cooking demonstrations, cookbook signings and unlimited tastings from top restaurants, with libations from wineries, breweries and distilleries, against a backdrop of live music and DJ sets.
Friday, Sept. 20, 8 – 11 p.m, with VIP early entry at 7 p.m kicks off the weekend celebration. Food Bowl will honor The Times Restaurant of the Year, Baroo, and Gold Award honoree, Mariscos Jalisco, with a special awards presentation hosted by The Times Food team. Baroo and Mariscos Jalisco will also serve special bites for VIP ticket holders, prior to general admission entry. The L.A. Times Food Stage will feature talks, demonstrations and cookbook signings by award-winning chefs and social media food stars, including Josh Scherer, of The Mythical Cookbook and Tue Nguyen of Di An. The VIP lounge will feature exclusive tastings from Michelin-starred chef Jordan Kahn of Meteora and James Beard award-winning chef Dave Beran of Pasjoli and cocktails from Level 8 by Beverage Director Melina Meza.
Participating restaurants include Amiga Amore, Azizam, Ban Ban Burger, Baroo, Bee Taqueria, Cento, Chao Krung & Tuk Tuk Thai, Checker Hall, Crudo e Nudo, East Side Cheesecakes, Evil Cooks, Guelaguetza, Guzzu Bento-ya, Hatchet Hall, Holey Grail Donuts, HomeState, III Mas Bakery & Deli, Jitlada, Luv2eat Thai Bistro, Mariscos Jalisco, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Mírate, Paradise Dynasty & Le Shrimp Noodle Bar, Perilla LA, Pink Taco, Rita’s Deluxe, Ronan, Saltie Girl, Saucy Chick Goat Mafia, Si! Mon, SoulPhil, Spoon & Pork, Sushi Nikkei, Villa’s Tacos and Wife and the Somm.
Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 – 10 pm,with VIP early entry at 6 pm. Saturday’s festivities will include unlimited tastings from more than 40 restaurants, demos and cookbook signings from Tamron Hall and Lish Steiling of A Confident Cook and Owen Han of Stacked: The Art of the Perfect Sandwich, plus a cooking demo from William Tew of Cathay Pacific and Adrienne Borlongan of Wanderlust Creamery Presents: The World of Ice Cream, with a signing to follow, presented by Cathay Pacific & Hong Kong Tourism Board. Saturday’s VIP lounge will honor the top two restaurants on The Times 101 Best Restaurants of 2023 list, with bites from Michelin-starred chef Jon Yao of Kato and James Beard-award winning chef Justin Pichetrungsi of Anajak Thai, plus specialty cocktails from the Mírate bar by Beverage Director Maxwell Reis.
Participating restaurants include 626 Hospitality Group, Bar Chelou, Baroo, Bistro Na’s, Borekas Sephardic Pastries, The Brothers Sushi, Budonoki x Mini Kabob, Burritos La Palma, Chichén Itzá, Cobi’s, Donna’s, DulanVILLE, El Ruso, Evil Cooks, Fluffy McCloud’s, Heng Heng Chicken Rice, Holbox, Holy Basil, Hui Tou Xiang, Jeff’s Table, LaSorted’s, Lei’d Cookies, Little Fatty & Fatty Mart, Love & Salt, Moo’s Craft Barbecue, OyBar, Pizzana, Poltergeist, Ponchos Tlayudas, Steep LA, Stella, Trophies Burger Club, Tsubaki, Wanderlust Creamery and XUNTOS.
Sunday, Sept. 22, 12 – 3 pm, with VIP early entry at 11 am. Food Bowl’s finale will feature an afternoon of tastings, music and live demos for all ages, including cookbook signings and demonstrations by award-winning chefs Nancy Silverton of The Cookie that Changed My Life, and Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson of Kismet: Bright, Fresh, Vegetable-Loving Recipes, plus author and social media star Yumna Jawad of The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook). Sunday VIP guests will also enjoy bites from chef Drew Rosenberg of CUT Beverly Hills and chef Jesus “Chuy” Cervantes of Damian with specialty cocktails from Level 8 by Beverage Director Melina Meza.
Participating restaurants include All About the Cinnamon, Amphai Northern Thai Food Club, Apollonia’s Pizzeria, Ayara Thai, Baar Baar, Baroo, Brique French Toastery, The Brothers Sushi, Camphor, Ceci’s Gastronomia, Cha ReDefine, Dino’s Famous Chicken, DOMESTIC, El Ruso, Evil Cooks, Grá, Hamasaku, Janté Cheesecakes, LaSorted’s, Lucky Bird, Lustig, Maison Matho, Mayura Indian Restaurant, Ocean Prime Beverly Hills, OyBar, Petit Trois, Petramale Pizza, Pop’s Bagels, Socalo, Steep LA, Stir Crazy, Tacos 1986, Voodoo Vin and The Waterfront.
L.A. Regional Food Bank is returning as the charity partner of Food Bowl. VIP tickets, provide early entry, access to exclusive food and drink offerings in a VIP lounge and onsite parking.
For more information and tickets, please visit lafoodbowl.com.
Manhattan Beach Food & Wine founder Shelby Russell recently announced the launch of the inaugural Manhattan Beach Food & Wine at a press event conference at the Westdrift Manhattan Beach hotel.
The inaugural is planned as a spectacular two-night strolling culinary extravaganza with an Opening Night celebration on Friday October 11, and a Grand Tasting on Saturday October 12. The gourmet festival will bring together the industry’s top tastemakers and connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of chefs, restaurants, wineries, spirits, cocktails, breweries, and non-alcoholic beverages, along with live entertainment.
The venue is a 40,000-square-foot outdoor space in Manhattan Village located at the end of the Veterans Parkway Greenbelt Path. The venue features a beautifully landscaped trail that runs through Manhattan Beach to Hermosa Beach, letting guests walk or bike to the event. Although Manhattan Village will offer complimentary parking, guests are encouraged to use rideshare services.
The culinary extravaganza will feature a lineup of 50 of the Best Chefs representing not only the local cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Los Angeles, but state-wide from Solvang, Palm Springs, San Francisco and beyond – from across North America, from Denver, New York, New Orleans, Vancouver, and Mexico.
The all-Star Chef Lineup has already enlisted impressive talent that includes:
Event Host Chef Neal Fraser: Redbird, Vibiana – Downtown Los Angeles, CA
A VIP Power Hour will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Regular Admission will be from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The event is strictly 21+ event as the event is serving alcoholic beverages.
This year’s event beneficiary is Careers through Culinary Arts 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 across the entire state of Arizona, as well as in Baltimore, Camden, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City & Long Island, Newark, Philadelphia, suburban Maryland, and Washington DC.
Orange Coast Magazine will host its annual Best of Orange County party at South Coast Plaza on July 25, 6pm; the event will celebrate the winners of the magazine’s 2024 Best New Restaurants issue.
Your party ticket gives you an evening full of unlimited tastings from over twenty different eateries, cocktails, beer, and wine along with music, entertainment and fun activities like a Selfie Booth.
This year’s vendors include 608 Dahlia, Artisan 7 Leaves & Crema Bakery, Blossoms and Brass, Bouillon Moulin, Cha Redefine, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, Le Shrimp Noodle Bar, Maizano, OEB Breakfast, Oliver’s Trattoria, Portillo’s, Puesto, Rare Society, Shootz, Starfish Newport Beach, Súp Wellness, The Plot, Webb’s Grainworks, Westwood Coast, and Xacalli Kitchen.
Beverages will be provided by Mezcal 33, J. Lohr, Mountain Valley Spring Water, Mezcal Rosaluna, Mission Cocktails, Hi-Time Wine Cellars, and Rad Soda.
The event is indoors with an outdoor walkway, and dress code is bright and vibrant summer chic. Self parking is complimentary at South Coast Plaza. Event is 21 & over and pets are not allowed.
Proceeds will benefit Casa Orange County, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children.
The Grand Tasting Pavilion at South Coast Plaza is located off of Sunflower Ave between Nordstrom and Maggiano’s Little Italy, near Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center, with event check-in facing Sunflower Ave.
AltaMed is bringing its much anticipated signature food and wine celebration East LA Meets Napa to LA Union Station on Friday July 19, 7:00 p.m. Now in its sixteenth year, the event features top Los Angeles restaurants and award-winning wines from Mexican-American vintners and premium spirits against a backdrop of live music and Latino art.
Participating restaurants include Pez Coastal Kitchen, Maizano, La Diosa de los Moles, Porto’s Bakery and Café, Genovese’s Kitchen, Don Chente, King Taco, Gloria’s Restaurant & Bar, Maizano Cocina,, Tepeyac Restaurant, Asado & Chimi Argentine BBQ, Barranco Peruvian Tapas & Pisco Lounge, Bike Brewery, Bistro Provincia Fusion Cuisine & Bar, Butcher’s Block LA, Casanova Fish Tacos, Chago Tortas Ahogadas, Sysco LA, and more.
Participating vintners representing the Mexican American Vintners Association include: Aldina Vineyards, Casa Martinez Wines, Delgadillo Cellars, Encanto Vineyards, Esfuerzo Wines, and more.
Grammy nominated vocal group DW3 will perform their unique blend of urban Latin music that blends soul music, jazz, Spanish rock. Their set list offers an artful balance between smooth, seductive ballads and up-tempo dance/funk jams. Their Billboard charting hits include I Got You featuring Gerald Albright and Let the Music, I Can’t Tell You Why, and California Dreamin from their hit 2013 and 2015 albums On the Floor and Vintage Truth.
All event proceeds support AltaMed Foundation with its mission to reduce health care disparities and ensure that underserved neighborhoods of Southern California can access quality, culturally competent care. Since 1969, AltaMed has focused on prevention and care for the whole individual, providing a comprehensive range of primary health, dental, behavioral, and senior care services and specialty care to over 500,000 people across Los Angeles and Orange counties.
This year’s East LA Meets Napa fundraiser kicks off a series of events commemorating AltaMed’s 55th anniversary. Next in the line-up is AltaMed 55th Anniversary Gala Noche de Salud y Arte on Friday, September 27 in Beverly Hills. The Gala will be followed by Tardeada Comida y Vino on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at the Heritage Museum of Orange County in Santa Ana for experiencing the richness of Latin food in Orange County, and wines from from Latino-owned vineyards in California along with Latino art and entertainment. Hosted by AltaMed Foundation’s Women’s Committee, this event will raise funds for vital health services such as mammograms, diabetes screenings and women’s wellness exams.
The seventh annual Masters of Taste returns to the Iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl on Sunday, April 7th, 2024. The event is expected to bring over 3,000 food and beverage enthusiasts to sample signature dishes and handcrafted drinks, wines, craft brews, and non-alcoholic drinks from over 100 Culinary and Beverage Masters. Live entertainment will add to the festivities.
This year’s event is hosted by husband and wife team of Chef Bret Thompson and Lucy Thompson-Ramirez, who have made a significant impact on LA’s culinary scene. In 2015, they opened Pez Cantina, a seasonal, modern, coastal-inspired Mexican restaurant and bar in downtown Los Angeles, and in 2021 expanding with LA Burrito in Montebello. This year they will open Pez Coastal Kitchen in Pasadena featuring seasonal sea-to-table and farm-to-table California cuisine, and specializing in cured, smoked and dry-aged meats and seafood.
The annual culinary extravaganza benefits Union Station Homeless Services, whose mission is to create lasting solutions for homelessness through housing, support services, and community connections in 38 cities from Eagle Rock to Pomona. Its Housing First model has achieved a 97% success rate. Masters of Taste has raised approximately $3 Million over the last six years.
Masters of Taste 2024 is a 21+ and completely outdoors; all guests will receive their own utensils and hand sanitizer. A VIP Power Hour from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm precedes General Admission from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Have Some Madeira M’dear! This was the message of a wine tasting event on Tuesday, October 24 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills.
The event was hosted by five Madeira wine producers that included Justino’s Madeira Wines / Broadbent Selections, Blandy’s / Cossart Gordon / Miles, Henriques & Henriques, Vinhos Barbeito / The Rare Wine Company, and D’Oliveiras / The Rare Wine Company.
A fortified wine made on the Portuguese Madeira Islands off the coast of Africa, Madeira has a long history dating back to the end of the 15th century when the islands were a standard port of call for ships headed for the New World or East Indies. To prevent the wine from spoiling, neutral grape spirits were added, and on the long sea voyages, the wines would be exposed to excessive heat and movement which transformed the flavor of the wine. This was discovered when an unsold shipment of wine returned to the islands after a round trip.
The wine is produced in a variety of styles ranging from dry wines which can be enjoyed on their own as an apéritif, to sweet wines that usually go with dessert. Cheaper versions often flavored with salt and pepper are used for cooking.
Madeira is touted as a wine for everyone and every occasion, and to educate you on the subject, the hosts organized a series of seminars.
Pairing Madeira Wine with Food: The seminar was lead by Sommelier and Wines of Portugal brand ambassador Eugénio Jardim. From dry to sweet, Madeira is a wine with intense freshness as a result of its typical acidity and a bouquet of aromas that develop during the aging process, producing complex, rich, and intense wines. As a result, Madeira can be paired with many types of foods, and five styles of Madeira were paired with five different food flavors.
Madeira and Cocktails: While typically served as an aperitif or a dessert, Madeira wines are a great mix for cocktails. Camron Robertson, General Manager of Thunderbolt LA, showed how Madeira’s well-rounded flavor profile and balanced level of sweetness and acidity can enhance a range of cocktails.
Aged Madeira: Madeira’s unique aging process uses temperature to slow oxidation and promote longevity. Examples of wines in bottles over 300 years old maintain their quality practically unchanged. While the seminar did not serve any 100-year-old bottles, it did serve selections 25-35 years old.
A walk around tasting from 12-5pm with more wine selections from the producers and more food for experimentations in pairing rounded out a day full of take-aways on getting more enjoyment from your Madeira.
