Jonathan Gold and Phil Rosenthal on the LA Times Culinary Stage at The Taste
If you surveyed most foodies in Southern California, they would tell you that The Taste, held over three days of Labor Day weekend, is the place to go to enjoy not only well-known and hugely loved food and beverage favorites from some of L.A.’s top places and prestige vendors, but to sample and savor new items from up-and-coming restaurants and other purveyors.
Five separate events featured dishes from 110 of LA’s best restaurants during this year’s edition of The Taste, eld September 1-3 on the Hollywood backlot of Paramount Pictures Studios.
Among the eateries participating: Alexander’s Steakhouse, Baltaire, recent New York City imports Beauty & Essex & TAO, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Border Grill, Fat Dragon, Genghis Cohen, Holy Cow, Loteria! Grill, M Cafe, Mayura, Mr. Chow, Ocean Prime, Otium, Pasta Sisters, Rosaline, Shake Shack, Slapfish, Sweetfin, Szechuan Impression, Tar & Roses, Wolf And Worldwide Tacos.
The events included gastronomic fests entitled Opening Night, Field To Fork, Dinner With A Twist, Sunday Block Party and the grand finale, Flavors of LA.
Part of every session included cooking and mixology demonstrations with some of the city’s top chefs, mixologists and food experts from the Los Angeles Times, the event’s main sponsor– and one of the funniest was the conversation between LA Times Pulitzer prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold and Phil Rosenthal, the creator of the classic comedy “Everybody Loves Raymond” who now hosts a show appropriately titled “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having.”
In another session, Gold interviewed actor turned taco master Danny Trejo (Trejo’s Tacos, Cantina, Coffee & Donuts) about some of his favorite dishes, which include vegan cauliflower tacos.
Some of the other culinary stars from LA vibrant food community participating were Sang Yoon of Lukshon and Father’s Office,, Dakota Weiss (Estrella), Sherry Yard (Talk Room Tavern), Jet Tila (Cutthroat Kitchen), Jenee Kim (Parks BBQ), Gilberto Cetina Jr. (Chichen Itza), Antonia Lofaso (Scopa Italian roots and Black Market)), Chris Phelps (Salt’s Cure), Jonathan Whitener (Here’s Looking At You), Chris Oh (Seoul Sausage Company)) and David LeFevre (Manhattan Beach Post).
The range of beer, wine, spirits and creative cocktails being shaken and stirred was off the charts. Among those pouring: Don Julio, Estancia Wines, Hornitos, Knob Creek, Icelandic Glacial, Ketel One, Southern Wine & Spirits, Tom Gore Vineyards and the perennial favorite at the festival, Stella Artois. Stella always produces a beautiful space in which to pour its many varieties along with some tasty accompaniments by its resident chefs. Another hot item: its famous glassware for various types of brews, which many guests take home.
Presenting sponsors included JetBlue and Stella Artois. A host of other brands like Geary’s, Christofle, Don Julio, Jim Beam and Ketel One were also on board as sponsors for The Taste.
