The Music Center Plaza Opening with Labor Day Weekend Activities

Photos by Karen Ostlund 
The Music Center Plaza, opened yesterday, August 28 - the newly renovated, outdoor urban space as “The Plaza for All”  after a 20-month, $41 million renovation.

The speakers, included Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Hilda L. Solis (First District) and Supervisor Sheila Kuehl (Third District), The Music Center Board Chair Lisa Specht, The Music Center President & CEO Rachel Moore, Rios Clementi Hale Studios Principal Bob Hale, Border Grill Chef/Co-Owner Susan Feniger and Chief Anthony Morales and Andrew Morales of the Gabrieleno Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians.

11AM, Aug.28 2019, (Left) Sheila Kuehl, Hilda L.Solis and Lisa Specht by fountain at Music Center Plaza, LA

“After nearly 20 years of imagining what The Music Center Plaza could be, our dream has finally become a reality,” said Lisa Specht, chair, The Music Center Board of Directors. “We are so grateful and appreciative of the steadfast support and critical funding from our partners, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and for the incredible generosity of our Plaza donors. The Plaza’s success speaks to the power of strong public-private partnership, which saw the creation of The Music Center in the mid-1960s and has now spearheaded the creation of a space—‘the plaza for all’—to be a gathering place of pride for all Angelenos.”

Music Center Plaza Opening, drummers by fountain, LED screen and Jacques Lipchitz “Peace on Earth” sculpture

More than 120 L.A.-based percussionists, representing many cultures of the county, joined together in a drum performance by The Music Center’s historic fountain. They were led by Gino Gamboa, a Music Center master teaching artist; Andrew Grueschow from Hands On’Semble; Malik Sow from Futa Toro West African Dance Ensemble; and Brian Yamami from TAIKOPROJECT. The event also featured the launch of two new 12’ x 20’ LED screens, which will be a platform for living video art.

Anthony and Andrew Morales

“The Music Center Plaza is a key component of the renovation plan for Downtown Los Angeles, securing Grand Avenue as a multicultural corridor and destination where L.A. County residents and visitors are welcome,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, who represents the First District, which includes The Music Center. “The renovation of The Music Center Plaza encourages greater access and enables everyone to more fully experience the wide breadth and diversity of the arts, culture and music of L.A. County and the First District.”

Major funding for the $41 million Plaza capital project came from the County of Los Angeles, which provided $30 million.

The Music Center has exceeded its $11 million capital campaign goal. Lead gifts were received from Lisa Specht, current chair of The Music Center, and vice chairs Robert J. Abernethy and Cindy Miscikowski and the Ring-Miscikowski Foundation/The Ring Foundation. Significant support was also received from The Blue Ribbon, Terri and Jerry Kohl, Marla and Cary Lefton, Merle and Peter Mullin, Mimi Song, Marie Song, Fredric Roberts and Eva and Marc Stern. Major grants were awarded by The Ahmanson Foundation, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation and The Rose Hills Foundation.

Rachel S. Moore

“More than 55 years ago, Dorothy Buffum Chandler aimed to ‘democratize’ the arts by creating a place where the public can join together as a community through mutual appreciation of arts and culture,” explained Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “With this renovation, The Music Center Plaza is now a warm, inviting and active space where all people can play, learn, create and participate with wonder, curiosity and imagination, and, most importantly, feel right at home.”
The award-winning, Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary architecture and design firm, Rios Clementi Hale Studios (RCH Studios) did the Plaza redesign. In its efforts to update the infrastructure and construct five new buildings—the Lisa Specht Welcome Center, permanent public restrooms and three dining locations (Abernethy’s, The Mullin Wine Bar and Go Get Em Tiger)—RCH Studios raised the Plaza to a single level and reconfigured the Grand Avenue stairs, which are now the Terri and Jerry Kohl Stairs, allowing for more open space during public events and performances.

Bob Hale

 To create a “front door” for The Music Center on Grand Avenue, RCH Studios’ design broadened The Music Center’s pedestrian entry and added two escalators to take guests up from Grand Avenue to the Plaza. The Plaza re-opening also included the relocation of the Jacques Lipchitz “Peace on Earth” sculpture, now located along Hope Street next to the Welcome Center in the Rose Hills Foundation Courtyard; and Robert Graham’s “Dance Door,” a bronze sculpture repositioned in The Fredric Roberts Garden adjacent to Go Get Em Tiger above Grand Avenue; as well as the restoration of four historic globe lighting fixtures, which now illuminate the Grand Avenue dining gardens.

As the first renovation of the Plaza since The Music Center opened in 1964, this major makeover makes the space more accessible to all guests while accommodating much larger capacities than previously possible. In fact, the 36,000 square-foot plaza re-design doubles the occupancy of the space from 2,500 to 5,000 people. The expanded infrastructure effectively creates a fifth venue for The Music Center campus, offering a new food destination and meeting spot, while also empowering the performing arts center to provide free and low-cost programming in the space. New casual gardens of California native and low-water evergreen plantings also complement the space, providing places to relax and enjoy beautiful vistas of Grand Park and the civic center.

Abernethy’s, restaurant, will open Sept.5, with Top Chef finalist Shirley Chung

 The Plaza renovation includes a wide range of culinary options and price points. Abernethy’s, a full-service restaurant, will feature a new chef program, with Top Chef finalist Shirley Chung as its inaugural chef; The Mullin Wine Bar will serve wines hand-picked by L.A’s neighborhood wine shops and cocktails mixed by L.A.-based mixologists and provides an ever-changing food program with a “food truck in residence” and the coffee bar "Go Get Em Tiger" will offer a range of coffees and food items.

Drummers, Aug. 28, outside coffee bar "Go Get Em Tiger"

Two existing plaza level restaurants—Upstage Burger and Cocina Roja,  opened on the southeast and northeast sides of the Plaza when construction began.

Rachel S. Moore also announced a gift from Cindy Miscikowski and the Ring-Miscikowski/The Ring Foundation, which bestowed a $12 million gift to The Music Center to launch the TMC Arts Fund, which will broaden access to the arts for all communities of Los Angeles through public programs, education and dance. 

 “We are so grateful to Cindy Miscikowski and the Ring-Miscikowski/The Ring Foundation for their incredible generosity that will allow us to bring this beautiful Plaza to life,” Moore said. “We will focus on programs that bring people together in ways that enable them to discover their shared humanity, with an emphasis on events, concerts, activities and more that will be free to the public and that are relevant to and inclusive of the many communities and voices in the county.

”The Music Center has raised an additional $2 million for the fund, bringing the total to-date to $14 million, which nearly triples the original $5 million The Music Center committed to raise to support Plaza programming".

The Music Center Plaza’s New Amenities

The new plaza design is a natural extension of the Grand Avenue Project and will enhance the Grand Ave.

 Five new buildings were constructed on the Plaza:   

Lisa Specht Welcome Center will greet county residents, guests and the many tourists who visit The Music Center every day.
A 6’ by 20’ interactive touch screen included in the Welcome Center’s breezeway will provide information and personalized guidance for visitors about the entire Music Center complex, its resident companies, performances, food options and members of The Music Center community. The Welcome Center, located adjacent to Hope Street, also will serve as the public point for valet parking.
Abernethy’s, a new full-service restaurant seating 125 guests, will feature good eats, related and plated by rising Los Angeles chefs. As part of the Plaza restoration, The Music Center created Abernethy’s as a one-of-a-kind culinary arts adventure. Abernethy’s hosts a roster of emerging culinary artists with a new chef featured every quarter, offering an extended “pop-up” setting where diners enjoy an ever-changing culinary experience unlike anything in Los Angeles. These chefs were chosen by Abernethy’s  Culinary Advisors, a team of highly respected chefs and tastemakers who identified the most talented emerging chefs from around Los Angeles County. As previously announced, Chef Shirley Chung will open Abernethy’s on Thursday, September 5, 2019, with her signature delicious take on contemporary Chinese-American cuisine. Abernethy’s emerging chefs, including Pla and Fern Kaewtathip, Geter Atienza, Justin Fullilove and Ryan Costanza, will create personalized dishes inspired by the diverse people and cultures of Los Angeles. With a neutral color palette of gray, green and blue featuring furnishings of Calcutta marble, polished brass and white oak, Abernethy’s is located on The Music Center Plaza adjacent to Hope Street.

The Mullin Wine Bar serves specialty wines curated by neighborhood wine shops, muddles cocktails created by local mixologists and offers a rotating array of dishes provided by some of Los Angeles’ most popular food trucks.
The Mullin Wine Bar’s mixologist is Los Angeles bartender Christiaan Röllich from a.o.c. and Lucques and author of Bar Chef: Handcrafted Cocktails.  The Mullin Wine Bar offers visitors a broad selection of California wines in a sleek, sophisticated setting. Featuring a sleek, architectural palette with dark Armani marble, textured wallcovering and dark rich walnut wood with brass accents, and is located adjacent to Grand Avenue.

Go Get Em Tiger (GGET) is the newest white Carrara marbled coffee house is on The Music Center Plaza. The third wave coffee bar features world-class roasts and innovative food items.

The Music Center Plaza Labor Day Weekend activities:
The public is welcome to celebrate the opening of The Music Center Plaza at several free public events.

Both Go Get Em Tiger and The Mullin Wine Bar will host special grand openings with music, games and special treats for Grand Avenue residents, businesses and neighbors in Downtown Los Angeles.
Friday, August 30, 2019:  7:00 p.m.–midnight
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA: Cumbia

The Music Center will bring its highly popular, free Dance DTLA back to its Plaza “home” to celebrate the official grand opening of The Music Center Plaza. Dance lovers will enjoy an evening of Cumbia under the summer stars with beginner dance lessons, followed by extended hours of dancing and music until midnight. This evening of The Music Center’s Dance DTLA is made possible with support by Bank of America. The Music Center’s Dance DTLA series is generously funded by Cindy Miscikowski and The Ring-Miscikowski Foundation/The Ring Foundation and the Marcia Israel Foundation.

Saturday, August 31, 2019:  4:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Plaza for All Celebration featuring Los Angeles Master Chorale’s Big Sing 2019
4:00 p.m. Event begins in Grand Park
5:00 p.m. Procession from Grand Park to the Plaza
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Big Sing 2019
The Music Center is partnering with Los Angeles-based LA Commons, which engages communities in artistic and cultural expression, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, The Music Center’s longest-standing resident company, for a big community celebration of the Plaza. Complete with singing, music, dance and visual art, the Plaza for All Celebration will invite Angelenos to commemorate and embrace the new public space as the county’s “plaza for all.” The free event will include a public procession featuring performers and members of the many communities that comprise all five districts of Los Angeles County, with the event commencing at Grand Park and culminating at The Music Center Plaza. The celebration will continue in a giant sing-along as the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s annual Big Sing event brings thousands together as one community to sing popular songs under the direction of Grant Gershon, Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director, and special guest conductors. Food will be available for purchase from local food trucks. The Plaza for All Celebration is made possible with support from The Grand. Big Sing 2019 is made possible by generous support from The Lovelace Family Trust, Terri and Jerry Kohl, and Philip A. Swan.

Sunday, September 1, 2019:  Noon–6:00 p.m.
The Music Center’s Splash Plaza Bash
All are welcome as The Music Center Plaza becomes a free, fun casual hangout on a long holiday weekend. The newly renovated space will be transformed into a giant, fun backyard party filled with free games and activities, splashing in The Music Center fountain, great food and a live broadcast on the giant LED screens of the Los Angeles Dodgers away game. Abernethy’s first five emerging chefs will be on hand preparing and selling their individual versions of backyard bites and treats

Thursday, September 5, 2019:  5:00 p.m.
Abernethy’s: Grand Opening
Abernethy’s grand opening menu features the cultural creations of Shirley Chung, Top Chef alum and the restaurant’s inaugural chef. Abernethy’s features a one-of-a-kind emerging chef program with a group of legendary chefs and tastemakers from L.A: Chefs Govind Armstrong, Susan Feniger, Ray Garcia, Curtis Stone and Niki Nakayama.

The plaza is redesign to offer permanent public restrooms in a new building located on the Plaza on the Hope Street side adjacent to The Music Center’s Mark Taper Forum. The restrooms feature an open-air handwashing station with views of the garden.
Location: Metro stop: Civic Center.   135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
More info: musiccenter.org/plaza

          

Recap of “Honda Evening Under the Stars” Food & Wine Festival 2019

Photos by Karen Ostlund

Kenny G at HONDA Aug.24

 American Honda in Torrance presented its 33rd annual “Honda Evening Under the Stars” Gourmet Food & Wine Festival last Saturday, August 24, to benefit pediatric care at Torrance Memorial Medical Center.

The event takes place every year the same weekend as LA Food & Wine Festival here in LA, and features a concert by saxophonist Kenny G with band, along with dishes of the best in South Bay cuisine.

 Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kenny G has grafted elements of R&B, pop and Latin to a jazz foundation to become a premiere artist in contemporary jazz, since 3 decades and released 23 albums.

“Honda Evening Under the Stars celebrates the friendship between the community and local business,” said Steve Morikawa, vice president, Corporate Affairs, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Honda is proud to join our friends and partners in supporting the health and wellbeing of our children.”

Honda Evening Under the Stars Auction, Aug.24

Disneyland Sommeliers

Absolution Pale Ale, fish & chips

This year’s proceeds will benefit children’s healthcare at Torrance Memorial. It recently opened in the Donald and Priscilla Hunt Tower of the third-floor Pat and Ellen Theodora Pediatric & Young Adult Pavilion and the fourth-floor Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  Both floors feature spacious private rooms with extra space for parents to be near their children during hospitalization.

“We are so grateful that American Honda has once again selected Torrance Memorial Medical Center to benefit from this longstanding community tradition,” Laura Schenasi, executive vice president, Torrance Memorial Foundation, said. “The proceeds from this magical evening will advance our fundraising goals toward providing the most advanced care possible to the children and young adults in our community.” The following restaurants and beverage partners offered fare and tastings at the festival. Many of the restaurants have a second location in Los Angeles:

Benihana restaurant

Fleming's steakhouse

Benihana
Bettolino Kitchen
Depot
DoubleTree Torrance - South Bay / Andre's Restaurant
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Palos Verdes Golf Club
Paul Martin’s American Grill
Professional Wines
Red Car Brewery & Restaurant

Sushi Chef Inst. w.Coffee Bean coffee

Rolling Hills Country Club

Rolling Hills Country Club
Sodexo
Sushi Chef Institute
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
The Honda Classic PGA Tour
Wooden Valley
Select wines poured by Sommeliers from the Disneyland® Resort
 In addition to the very best in South Bay cuisine, professional sommeliers from The Disneyland Resort will be on hand to serve and educate guests on approximately 80 varietals of wine.

Los Verdes Golf Club

DEPOT white fish

American Honda created the Gourmet Food & Wine Festival in partnership with the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce in 1987 as a way to bring corporate business, residents, and local commerce together for a relaxing community celebration. Through Honda Evening Under the Stars, Honda and the festival’s restaurant and beverage partners have raised millions of dollars and demonstrated a long-standing commitment to bettering the health care of children in the South Bay.

Kenny G band at stage after show

 www.torrancememorial.org/EveningUndertheStars         www.facebook.com/eveningunderthestars

Barbara Eden Celebrated Birthday with Opening of "I Dream Of Jeannie" Exhibit

Barbara Eden’s new lobby exhibit at The Hollywood Museum opened to the public today, August 22nd 2019.
Photos by Karen Ostlund
Celebrity guests gathered around the birthday cake to sing happy birthday to Barbara Eden.
Photo below, back row: Roslyn Kind, Don Most, Erin Murphy, Judy Tenuta, Elaine Ballace, Ilene Graff and Ashley Cusato.
Front row: Donelle Dadigan, Leonard Maltin, Elliott Gould, Barbara Eden, Peter Marshall, Loni Anderson, Anson Williams and Dawn Wells.
Speakers and guest of honor were Leonard Maltin, Donelle Dadigan, Elliott Gould, Barbara Eden, Peter Marshall, Loni Anderson, and Anson Williams.

A special birthday cake, in celebration of Ms Eden's Birthday (August 23rd), was supplied by Sweet Lady Jane's bakery.

It started 1965, when producer Sidney Sheldon signed Barbara Eden to star in his up-and-coming fantasy sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie" that would air on NBC. The year before, in 1964 "Bewitched" was the number-two show on television.Barbara Eden played the role as Jeannie for five years and 139 episodes.
In the eight episodes, Eden donned a brunette wig to portray Jeannie's evil sister (also named Jeannie) who lusts after Tony Nelson, and in at least one episode played Jeannie's hapless mother.

"I dream of Jeannie" costume

The Hollywood Museum's Founder, Donelle Dadigan, is pleased to welcome one of Hollywood’s most  enduring stars and everyone’s favorite Jeannie, Barbara Eden.
Her NBC "I Dream of Jeannie" TV series was one of Hollywood's most successful, popular and longest running programs spanning more than five decades on network TV and in syndication worldwide.
From feature films to starring in television series, numerous musical guest appearances and touring Broadway musical productions, Barbara Eden’s career has spanned for more than six decades earning her the title of Hollywood Entertainment Icon.
She began her career when she was signed by 20th Century Fox as a contract player.  It was soon after that Barbara was cast to star in the studio's TV version of its hit motion picture, "How to Marry a Millionaire", recreating the role made famous by Marilyn Monroe.

Ms. Eden is loaning her original costume and a genie bottle, used for shooting the series, for this once in this lifetime exhibit.

Original Genie bottle at The Hollywood Museum

In addition, the rare and never before displayed original bottle used on the pilot for the series will be on display, along with five screen accurate bottles representing five seasons, by Mario Della Casa.
A special birthday cake, in celebration of Ms Eden's Birthday (August 23rd), was supplied by Sweet Lady Jane's bakery.

Myself w/ Dream Of Jeannie poster

MUSEUM INFO: www.TheHollywoodMuseum.com
1660 N. Highland Ave. (at Hollywood Blvd.), Los Angeles, CA 90028
 Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
TICKETS: $15 Adults: $12 Seniors (62+): $12 for students with ID and $5 Children under 5.

The Debut Of "THE MAX FACTOR" Documentary at The Max Factor Building

(Left) Julia Kuperberg, Bonnie Pointer, Lee Purcell, Vin Di Bono, Donelle Dadigan, Anita Pointer, Leonard Maltin and Clara Kuperberg

The Debut Of "THE MAX FACTOR" Documentary, produced by Wichita Films at The Max Factor Building

Photos by Karen Ostlund

August 11, Donelle Dadigan and Lee Purcell hosted a special screening, of the documentary - THE MAX FACTOR, on the astounding life of the Hollywood King of Make-up Max Factor at The Hollywood Museum.
 The film was followed by a Q & A with film critic Leonard Maltin  and filmmakers sisters Clara Kuperberg and Julia Kuperberg, who are multiple award-winning documentary filmmakers, selected twice at the Cannes Film Festival.
The after reception was sponsored by Emerald Hare Wines.

 The film includes classic film clips featuring the stars Factor working with round off this look behind the scenes, and appearances by Jaclyn Smith and Lee Purcell, who tell us what Max Factor meant to them, as well as Donelle Dadigan (President and Founder of The Hollywood Museum located in the Historic Max Factor Building).

Max Factor's cosmetics 1935

Max Factor invented lip gloss, foundation and wand-applicator mascara and was Hollywood's most sought-after makeup artist, painting the faces of everyone from Judy Garland to Joan Crawford to Bette Davis. He was the first one who came up with the idea of celebrity endorsements for beauty lines.
Max Factor revolutionized the beauty industry, but what is not known, were his struggles as a Polish Jew, who found his way to the Russian court, making wigs for the Tsar.
The threat of anti-semitism forced him to move his family to America by using his make-up skills to escape. Because of rampant antisemitism in the early 1900s, he and his family fled to America where relatives were living, using his make-up skills to escape. 
Max Factor moved to Hollywood at the right moment, because theatre make-up did not work very well with projectors and close-ups, and the introduction of Technicolor created other problems, Factor brilliantly resolved.
The grand opening of on November 26, 1935 of the new “Max Factor Make-Up Studio” was as glamorous as a Hollywood film premiere with 3500 guests.

In 1913 Cecil B. DeMille's The Squaw Man lent wigs and mustaches made from real hair, which was a novelty. He resolved the problem of melting lipstick by testing new products in a kissing machine and changed the looks of many stars by means of a beauty calibrator. In 1935 he had created a make-up empire which allowed him to ask the famous architect S. Charles Lee to build an art-deco office for him which is now the Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles.
The filmmakers Clara and Julia Kuperberg interviewed film historian Marc Wanemaker who talks about the achievements of Max Factor, while Donelle Dadigan shows us around the Museum, and the actresses.

The Max Factor documentary screening, Aug.11 at The Hollywood Museum

HOURS: Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
TICKETS: $15 Adults: $12 Seniors (62+): $12 for students with ID and $5 Children under 5.
ADDRESS: 1660 N. Highland Ave. (at Hollywood Blvd.), Los Angeles, CA 90028
MUSEUM INFO: www.TheHollywoodMuseum.com
FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/TheHollywoodMuseum
TWITTER: @HollywoodMuseum 
INSTAGRAM: @HollywoodMuseum

Recap of 6th Annual Stu and The Kid’s "Flavors of Asia"

#StuAndTheKids  #FlavorsOfAsia
Photos by Karen Ostlund

Thai dancers at Vibiana, Aug.4

Sunday August 4th,the 6th annual Stu and The Kid’s "Flavors of Asia"  food fest fundraiser returned to Los Angeles and Vibiana's Cathedral with Thai-flavored food & wine.

Chef Stuart Skversky

The event was was hosted by Chef Stuart Skversky and his friends, who gave attendees a rare chance to experience original dishes created by Los Angeles’ Asian-food-loving chefs expressed through Far East influences.
 In 2009, Stuart Skversky, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and rising-star chef, made a dramatic life change by giving up a promising culinary career in Los Angeles to move to Chiang Mai, becoming a full-time volunteer at the Wat Don Chan (a local Buddhist temple), teaching local children English, cooking and baking. He recognized a need to help prepare these at-risk Hill Tribe kids following their graduation, and to prepare them for adulthood.
Funds raised go directly to the children’s education, school uniforms, supplies, housing, food and tuition for higher education.
 Stu and The Kids has raised over $658,000 for the charity in total, including last year’s record of $164,000 accumulated from the Los Angeles festival, in addition to fundraising on the east coast and online donations during 2018.

All of the proceeds from the event were used towards scholarships for university education to help underserved and orphaned Hill Tribe kids in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Tender Greens, shrimp toast

                                                     
Among the participating chefs for this year’s event were hosts Neal and Amy Fraser, Vibiana; Walter and Marguerite Manzke, République; Hugo Bolanos, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air; Eric Klein, Wolfgang Puck Catering; Eric Bost,Auburn; Gilberto Cetina, Chicken Itza, Holbox; Matt Lee, Restaurant 917; Jason Neroni, The Rose Café;  Sherry Yard,The Tuck Room; Warren and Rose Schwartz, Magpies Softserve; Mei Lin, Nightshade; Food Network’s Jet Tila; Sarintip "Jazz" Singsanong, Jitlada; and Chef/Author Robert Danhi.

Wolfgang Puck Catering, sweet banana, rice milk, Jellyfish

               

Ayara :Thai crispy rice salad

Sinner and Saints desserts

Singha soda water and LEO beer

 Beverages are plentiful to pair with spicy food and this year’s top-shelf purveyors list features a Thai-inspired cocktail made by tipple-smith Joshua Lucas and crisp summer selections from Bodega Wine Bar. Singha and Leo are featured Thai beers and Winebow Fine Wine+Spirits includes a fantastic range of wineries. Non-alcoholic choices are supplied by Herb + Orchard’s ready-made water infusions and Stu and The Kids famous fresh Coconut Bar.
The Flavors of Asia Food Fest fundraiser also showcased the exotic Thai culture. Guests experienced an educational presentation, activities for all ages including a vivid display of Northern Thai umbrellas and lanterns from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, performances of Thai music and an authentic Muay Thai boxing demonstration.
The silent auction was benefiting Stu and The Kids, and offered  photography of Chiang Mai locations, hand-made Hill Tribe bags and silver jewelry, gift baskets, autographed cookbooks and dinners at many of Los Angeles’ best restaurants. StuAndTheKids.org

Jet Tila's new cookbook, 101 Epic Dishes

   

Jet Tila's salmon, palmsugar and herbs

LA Times THE TASTE 2019 Announced Chefs, Bartenders and Restaurants for Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 30 - Sept.1st

The 10th annual food and drink festival returns to the Paramount Pictures Studios backlot this Labor Day weekend.

Photos by Karen Ostlund

Los Angeles Times THE TASTE at night

The 10th annual food and drink festival returns to the Paramount Pictures Studios backlot
this Labor Day weekend.

(Hollywood, CA, August 1st 2019) – The Los Angeles Times  announced the lineup for The Taste 2019  annual festival celebrating Southern California’s diverse culinary scene.

THE TASTE 2019 is hosted by LA Times’  Food staff, at the famous backlot of Paramount Studios, which will be transformed into the ultimate block party for three individual evening events, August 30 through September 1.

THE TASTE at Paramount Studios, daylight

Admission includes unlimited tastings from the area’s best restaurants, a variety of wine, beer and seasonal cocktails, plus access to cooking demonstrations and talks by renowned chefs.

Prawn Coastal restaurant

Friday, Aug. 30, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
L.A. Times Food Columnist Lucas Kwan Peterson will cook up a special on-stage presentation of one of his favorite projects for the Food section. Paola Da Re and Giorgia Sinatra (Pasta Sisters) will lead an Italian cooking demonstration with Chiara Soldati (La Scolca) who will lead a wine discussion, presented by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. The Times’ Wine Club will launch with a demo by expert Mark Oldman. Take a wine tour through France with Ira Norof (Southern Glazer’s), Erin Landsberg (American Wine & Spirits) and Troy Chappel (Southern Glazer’s). Restaurants include: 40 Love, Baldoria Bar + Kitchen, Bibigo Kitchen, Burritos La Palma, Casa Vega, Donut Friend, Fat Dragon, Izakaya Osen, LBK Pizzeria, Love & Salt, Ma’am Sir, Mainland Poke, MANEATINGPLANT, Park’s BBQ, Pop’s Bagels, Prawn Coastal, Rao’s Hollywood, Salazar, SLAB, Supercool Creamery and Wurstküche.

Baltair restaurant, NY bison, corn salad

Saturday, Aug. 31, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Delicious food and plenty of spice will be the order of the night with Kim Prince (Hotville Chicken) as she showcases her famous Nashville hot chicken with L.A. Times Senior Food Writer Jenn Harris. Chefs Pawan, Nakul and Arjun Mahendro (Badmaash) will demonstrate their mix of contemporary and nostalgic approaches in creating delicious Indian fare, hosted by Times Cooking Editor Genevieve Ko. Get a rice wine 101 with a sake demo by Courtney Kaplan (Ototo). The Bar Stage will feature Ira Norof and Wes Hagen (J. Wilkes Wines) talking wine, enlightenment and contentment. Restaurants include: Baltaire, Bull & Butterfly, Castaway, Coni’Seafood, Employees Only, Faith & Flower, Granville, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Little Sister, Madre, Mister O’s, Nic’s on Beverly, Ocean Prime, Pedalers Fork, Pikoh, Sosta, The Bellwether, Viviane and a special collaboration between Freedman’s and Genghis Cohen.

Gus's fried chicken

Sunday, Sept. 1, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Teresa Montaño (Otoño) will demonstrate how to cook one of her favorite Spanish-inspired dishes with L.A. Times Food Writer Amy Scattergood. Learn how to make the perfect Tijuana-style taco with Jorge Alvarez-Tostado and Victor Delgado (Tacos 1986). Chris Bianco (Tartine Bianco) will show home cooks how to make a relaxed Italian meal with Times Deputy Food Editor Andrea Chang. Tobin Shea (Redbird) will shake up a seasonal mocktail, and the Bar Stage will feature a discussion about women in wine with Ira Norof, Chiara Soldati and Lora Tagliarina (Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits). Restaurants include: Aqui es Texcoco, Bone Kettle, Cal Mare, Chao Krung, Eve, HomeState, Jitlada, Kobee Factory, Lalibela Ethiopian, Le Comptoir, LN2, Mora Italiano, Rappahannock Oyster Bar, Same Same, The Bazaar by José Andrés and Triple Beam Pizza.
Los Angeles Times’ The Taste 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. Tickets range from $115 to $190; a discount will be available exclusively to Times subscribers for select events starting July 19. For the second year in a row, The Taste will travel to Costa Mesa for three events over two days in October (Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19), with the programming lineup to be announced in September. Details and tickets: latimes.com/TheTaste.
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TheTasteLA (#TasteLA).

Coni'Seafood Ceviche

                                                             

Bone Kettle ravioli