The Taste in Los Angeles, CA

Feed Your Inner Foodie at The Taste in LA

Just because food is literally a necessity for life doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to enjoy it, photograph it, share it online, download the recipe, make it for your friends, let them photograph it, and then enjoy it again, right? If this belief resonates with you, then you’ll be in good company at The Taste in Los Angeles, CA this September (2^nd through 4^th).

Every year, the LA Times Food staff hosts the country’s most delicious food festival featuring the city’s hottest culinary treats and cocktails for you to indulge in. Just check out this free sample we’ve put together to get a taste of what’s in store.

Bon Appétit – Opening Night

What better way to kick off a three-day food fest than with a meticulously prepared selection of food and spirits? You’ll get the chance to dive mouth first into some of the best dishes from restaurants like Love & Salt, Son of a Gun, and Badmaash. Plus you’ll be mingling with the stars of the event, like LA Times Test Kitchen Director Noelle Carter, Restaurant Critic Jonathan Gold, LA Times Food editors, local chefs, and mixologists.

To prepare for this culinary soiree, you’ll want an empty stomach, a clean palate, and a fully charged phone battery.

From Grain to Guacamole – Day 2

The energy level really begins to rise on the second day of The Taste, starting with an appetizing talk on the artisan grain movement led by LA Times Food Editor Amy Scattergood. Surrounding the main event will be curated tastings of local flavors, like a live demo from Chef Michael Cimarusti, who will share his secrets for running a socially conscious kitchen and why he supports sustainable seafood.

Return later that evening for Dinner with a Twist featuring Jonathan Gold, Jenn Harris, and renowned Chef Ray Garcia. Enjoy some beautiful outdoor dining along with demonstrations on how food and cocktails mix to create the perfect pairings. Garcia will showcase Mexican-American flavors with his cooking, while Beverage Director Michael Lay pours the ideal spirits to balance and accent each plate.

Food Festival Block Party!

Remember the last awesome backyard cookout you went to? Times that by about a million and you’re just getting close to The Taste’s Sunday Block Party. A nod to both food and fun, this outdoor celebration will feature Cake Master Duff Goldman as he creates his pastry masterpieces, plus a number of Mexican-fare demos and a fascinating discussion on resourceful cooking and how to maximize ingredients. Jonathan Gold joins three well-respected chefs for a roundtable discussion on contemporary Filipino cuisine.

Meanwhile, food demos include transformative Thai cooking, freestyled Korean, and a cocktail class on what to do with aperitifs, bitter liqueurs, and rosé wines.

Want to Reserve a Table?

Tickets are on sale now for The Taste in LA, but this extremely popular event could sell out fast. To reserve your spot, head to the LA Times website and decide which events you’ll want to attend. We recommend the weekend pass, which gets you into the opening night ceremony and all four events on Saturday and Sunday.