The LA Times will reprise its second edition of The Taste, Costa Mesa Friday Oct. 18 – Saturday Oct. 19 at the Met in Costa Mesa. The festival consists of three events hosted by The Times’ Food section staff.
Each event features talks and cooking demonstrations by top chefs and mixologists, unlimited samples from top restaurants paired with a variety of wine, beer, and seasonal cocktails as well as entertainment, so get ready to sip, savor, and celebrate the capital of culinary innovation that is today’s Southern California!
Friday, Oct. 18, 7 to 10 p.m. L.A. Times Cooking Editor Genevieve Ko hosts the opening event featuring Syrian pastry chef Maher Nakhal of Le Mirage Pastry as he reveals the handcrafted artistry behind his authentic Middle Eastern desserts and French pastries. Times features writer Gustavo Arellano will host
critically acclaimed chef Ross Pangilinan of Terrace by Mix Mix showing his eclectic style using Euro-Filipino flavors through a demo of one of his signature dishes.
Participating restaurants include Filomena’s Italian Kitchen, Outpost Kitchen, Puesto, Tackle Box, The Ranch at Laguna Beach and WAVE Gourmet Burgers. The Courtyard will feature live music from the Westsiders, while the Grand Tasting Tent will feature DJ Garth Trinidad of KCRW.
Saturday, Oct. 19, noon to 3 p.m. Chef Carlos Salgado of Michelin-starred Taco María will provide a glimpse into his contemporary, Mexican-influenced cooking with L.A. Times Cooking Columnist Ben Mims. Taking the crowd on a wine tour through Monterey County, Rob Baker of Southern Glazer’s will lead a presentation on Bordeaux-style wine from Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Winery.
Restaurants include Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Mayors Table Pacific Pub & Kitchen, Mesa and Roba Noodle. The Courtyard will feature live music from the Boogaloo Assassins while the Grand Tasting Tent will feature DJ Scott Dallavo of KCRW with Todd Simon on trumpet.
Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 to 10 p.m. The Taste festivities continue Saturday evening as chef Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos cooks up his legendary Baja style fish tacos, while Michelin-starred chef Tony Esnault of Knife Pleat demonstrates modern, seasonal interpretations of classic French techniques with Times Senior Food Writer Jenn Harris.
Restaurants include Bluegold, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, Cucina Enoteca, Georgia’s Restaurant, Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar and Toast Kitchen + Bakery. The Courtyard will feature live music from the Boogaloo Assassins while the Grand Tasting Tent features DJ Anthony Valdez of KCRW.
A VIP access to each event presented by City National Bank gives you advance entrance, free parking, access to furnished lounges during the entire event, exclusive restrooms, exclusive spirit samplings of Roku Gin, Haku Vodka, and Toki Whisky by House of Suntory, a selection of premium wines, exclusive dishes by Mastro’s Steakhouse on Friday, and exclusive dishes by The Crack Shack on Saturday.
Travel Costa Mesa is offering special hotel & ticket Eatcation packages just for the event.
Given all the culinary fun at Paramount Studios at the LA edition of The Taste, the Costa Mesa edition should put a great closure on this year’s The Taste celebration!
For more information and tickets, please visit https://events.latimes.com/taste/costa-mesa