The Taste: Secrets from the Kitchen and Cellar

The Taste: Secrets from the Kitchen and Cellar
9900 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
events.latimes.com/taste
Event Date: Saturday, 09/03/2011 from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM

This year, The Los Angeles Times and Food & Wine magazine collaborated on a 4-day food event during Labor Day weekend. The Taste was 9 events in 3 locations around Los Angeles (Downtown, Hollywood, Beverly Hills) and hosted by several celebrity chefs like Roy Choi, Susan Feniger, and Giada de Laurentiis. Several other well-known chefs, such as Ricardo Zarate, Ludo Lefebvre, John Sedlar, Michael Voltaggio, etc. were in attendance at the events.

Tickets ranged from $125-$150, an average non-VIP ticket price for food events in LA, but a couple of weeks before the event, 40% off promo codes and deals appeared online, making the event more appealing and affordable. Even though I wanted to attend more than several events, I limited myself to 1 event for the sake of my wallet and increasing waistline.

Chopin Open Vodka Bar

The Counter Beef Mini Burger, Pancetta, Cambozola and Mushroom Port Wine Reduction on a Sweet Bun

Picca Beef Wrap, Quinoa Risotto, Rocto Sauce

RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen Glazed Pork Belly Bun

Sotto Crispy Pork Belly Porcetto w/ Green Tomato Mostarda & Malibu Wild Fennel

Public Kitchen & Bar Ciabbata Pork Sausage

Simon LA Braised Shortrib w/ Creamy Farro, Pea Puree, Toasted Pinenuts, Merlot Glaze

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Tender Greens Agave Cupcake w/ Mascarpone Frosting & Caramelized Puffed Rice & Black Mission Fig

Tender Greens Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon w/ Corn, Arugula, Roasted Pepper, Red Onion, Cherry Tomato, and Lemon Basil Aioli

Oliverio at Avalon Hotel Orecchiette w/ Lamb Ragu

Osteria la Buca

Sam’s By the Beach Wild Boar Lasagna

Scarpetta Polenta w/ Truffled Mushrooms

Kerrygold Variety of Cheeses

Enoteca Drago Cherry Balsamic Glazed Roasted Pork Belly

Mr. Chow Shrimp w/ Glazed Walnuts

Mezze Ginger Cookie w/ Honey Milk Sorbet

McCormick & Schmick’s Pacific Seafood Grill

Larsen’s Steakhouse Prime New York Strip, Creamed Spinach, Garlic Mashed Potatoes

K-Zo Spicy Tuna & Rice Cake

Wood & Vine Duck Galantine (left) and Foie Gras & Pork Terrine (right)

Wood & Vine Chicken Liver Mousse (left) and Saucisson Sec (right)

Interview w/ Chef Ludo and Krissy Lefebvre by Russ Parsons

I’ve been to several food events this year and after awhile they all seem the same. Most restaurants put out the same dishes at food events and most of the dishes don’t properly represent the restaurant. From tons of restaurants, I only ever find a couple of dishes that I find tasty. But compared to other food events, I enjoyed this more, because of the ample seating and tables and non-eating activities like cooking demonstrations, interviews, and chef discussion panels.

xox -

Joanna