Los Angeles Times THE TASTE 2018 announced lineup for Laborday

Photos by Karen Ostlund
Los Angeles Times Announced Lineup of Chefs, Bartenders
and Restaurants Participating in The Taste, Aug. 31 to Sept 2nd at Paramount Studios.

Los Angeles THE TASTE at Paramount, daylight

 Highlights of THE TASTE 2018 will include pittmaster Burt Bakman (Trudy’s Underground Barbecue), leading a barbeque how-to; Ricardo Zarate (Rosaliné) and Jonathan Yao (Kato) sharing insight into what makes their dishes so Instagram-able; and Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama (n/naka) showcasing Japanese cuisine.


New this year: THE TASTE will travel to Costa Mesa over three days, Oct. 19 -  21 2018.

Los Angeles THE TASTE at Paramount, evening light

The Los Angeles Times announced the lineup for The Taste, its annual festival celebrating Southern California’s culinary scene. Hosted by The Times’ acclaimed Food staff, The Taste will transform the Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood,CA backlot into the ultimate evening block party over three nights during Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31 to Sept. 2).
This year, The Taste will pay homage to the chefs and restaurants who have helped make Los Angeles one of the most exciting places in the world to eat. Admission to each of the three events includes unlimited tastings from the city’s best restaurants and sips of seasonal cocktails, plus cooking demos and talks from renowned chefs.

OTIUM restaurant ceviche

Friday, Aug. 31, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
L.A.’s pop-up and underground restaurants will take the stage with a demo of Cajun-by-way-of-Compton cuisine from chef Michael Lawless (Shad’s New Cali Catering). Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Ludo Bird) will showcase his French flair. Master of the grill, Burt Bakman (Trudy’s Underground Barbecue), will lead a barbeque how-to. Ricardo Zarate (Rosaliné) and Jonathan Yao (Kato) will provide a glimpse of what makes their dishes imminently Instagram-able. The Bar Stage will be serving up white wines of Italy with Wes Hagen of J. Wilkes Wines. Restaurants include: Amor y Tacos, Baltaire Restaurant, Bone Kettle, Casa Vega, Chao Krung, Farmhouse, Hinoki & the Bird, Otium, Pop’s Bagels and Wanderlust Creamery.

Saturday, Sept. 1, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Delicious food will be the special of the night as Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama (n/naka) showcase Japanese cuisine and Briana Valdez (HomeState) celebrates breakfast all day with a demo of her signature dishes. Sommelier Ira Norof will give you 101 reasons to drink wine.
Restaurants include: Cento Pasta Bar, Border Grill, Crustacean Beverly Hills, Jaffa, Kali Restaurant, Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria, Mayura Indian Restaurant, Prawn, Taste of Tehran, Trois Mec and Winston Pies.

PRAWN restaurant risotto

  

Sunday, Sept. 2, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Experience the diversity of flavors in our fair city when Sean Lowenthal (Little Beast Restaurant) and L.A. Times Test Kitchen Director Noelle Carter highlight Southern cooking, Minh Phan (Porridge + Puffs) shares her technique for elevating porridge, and Charles Olalia (Rice Bar/Ma’am Sir) gives a master class on Filipino cuisine. Wine expert Christine Dalton will raise a glass to rosé.
Restaurants include: 71Above, Banh Oui, Coni’Seafood, Holbox/Chichen Itza, Hotville Chicken, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Inko Nito, Kobee Factory & Syrian Kitchen, Meals by Genet and Prince of Venice.
Los Angeles Times’ The Taste, presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, is produced in association with Best Events. The Collins College of Hospitality Management and L.A. Regional Food Bank are the event’s charity beneficiaries.

71Above restaurant

One ticket provides unlimited tastings at the annual food and drink festival
on the Paramount backlot over Labor Day weekend. Tickets range from $115 to $165; a $10 discount will be available exclusively to Times subscribers. The Taste travels to Costa Mesa over three days,  Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 21. latimes.com/TheTaste. Connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TheTasteLA (#TasteLA).                     

Bone Kettle restaurant Chili Garlic Noodles w/pork