6th Annual Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, LA
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| @lafoodwine |
When: Thursday, August 25- Sunday, August 28, 2016
Hot Spot: Headquartered in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, with main events directly in front of the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad museum (with closures along Grand Avenue, between 1st and 3rdstreet), the 6th annual Los Angeles Food & Wine festival will also feature tastings, dinners, lunches, seminars, cooking demonstrations, and special events located across parts of greater Los Angeles including Downtown, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Hollywood, and more.
Deets: The west coast’s most highly-anticipated Los Angeles Food & Wine festival arrived with a splash across the city kicking off on Grand Avenue with Amazon “Eat the World” hosted by Emeril Lagasse and culminating in a delicious last course on Sunday afternoon at the Lexus Grand Tasting held at Barker Hangar.Presented by Coastal Luxury Management and founding partners FOOD & WINEand Lexus, the 6th annual celebration was an affair to remember. “We set out to honor the great culinary talents and stars of this city and celebrate those who influence the next generation of chefs,” says festival founder David Bernahl of Coastal Luxury Management. “We are in our sixth year and intend to continue to get even better with every year!”
An all-star lineup and “best in class” descended on the city as local culinary rising stars and nationally accomplished celebrity chefs collided including Hugh Acheson, Duff Goldman, Tyler Florence, Elizabeth Falkner, Rick Bayless, Stephanie Izard, Antonia Lofaso, Aarón Sánchez, Fabio Viviani, Jet Tila, Brian Malarkey, Bruce Kalman, and Jon Shook, to name just a few. Highlights and notable mentions that were seen, heard, and tasted throughout the weekend’s festivities included:
Thursday, August 25, 2016 – Amazon “Eat the World” with Emeril Lagasse
Host Emeril Lagasse shared his globe-trekking adventures from his new show streaming on Amazon Prime September 2, 2016, such as re-uniting with fellow chef Aarón Sánchez who joined him on the Cuba episode over a nosh of Emeril’s Fried Chicken. Other highlights include bites of Corn Agnolotti with Truffle from Chef Ian Gresik’s (Drago Centro); Chef Ryan Denicola’s (Chi Spacca) unforgetteable Charcuterie Board; and Chef Gregg Wiele (Patina) shaving fresh truffles as the aroma permeated several blocks of Grand Avenue.
Friday, August 26, 2016 - Power Lunch Series Across Los Angeles
Hailing from San Antonio, TX, and “Rising Star” Chef as named by Restaurant Hospitality, Chef Jason Dady dropping by the “Dine with the Ladies” Lexus Lunch prepared by Antonia Lofaso and Lexus Culinary Master Stephanie Izard and held at Scopa Italian Roots, sharing recipes, tips, and secrets with guests; Vartan Abgaryan(71 Above) and George Mendes (Aldea, Lupulo, Bica) shucked shigoku oysters in preparation for the spectacular lunch held 71 floors above street level; as well as an exclusive tour of The Broad contemporary art museum prior to an unparalleled lunch from Chef Timothy Hollingsworth (Otium), Jeremy Fox (Rustic Canyon) and Jon Shook (Animal, Le Petit Trois, Trois Mec, Trois Familia, Son of a Gun, Jon & Vinny’s), who joined forces at Otium.
Friday, August 26, 2016 - Eater Presents Night Market with Jet Tila and Brian Malarkey
Ice cream sandwiches held snugly in cookies baked by Jon and Vinny served from Sweet Lucie’s Ice Cream truck; Delectable sushi handrolls from Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill; Paul Lee (Patina) serving frozen foie gras with strawberry jam & candied pistachio; BadMaash’s sizzling lamb burger with spiced mayo on brioche bread; and Andrea Borgen’s (Barcito) “Smoking Young Gun” cocktail which was a hit among the imbibers.
Saturday, August 27, 2016 – LIVE on Grand with Tyler Florence
The evening’s host chef Tyler Florence (Wayfarer Tavern) dishing up a scrumptious Shrimp and Grits, Nguyen Tran (Starry Kitchen) donning his best banana suit served up Tofu Balls; Dakota Weiss (Sweetfin Poke, Estrella) delivered fresh poke that flew off of the table alongside a summery and zingy Tomato Gazpacho; Chef Fernando Darin (Ray’s & Stark Bar) rolled out fresh spaghetti alla Chitarra on Grand Avenue–one of the stand-out dishes that night with the longest line–all before hip hop artists De La Soul were introduced by MC and festival founder, David Bernahl, as they took the stage electrifying the crowds.
Saturday, August 27, 2016 – LEXUS Grand Tasting
The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica was transformed as chefs including Bruce Kalman (Union, Knead & Co. Pasta Bar + Market) turned out mouthwatering bites of Grilled Octopus with chick pea conserva, housemade yogurt and dukkah; CHAYA Downtown’s Chef Joji Inoue’s beautifully plated and Instagram-worthy Sea Urchin ice cream sandwiches; Chef Mark Mollica (La Vecchia Cucina) cooked up deep earth flavors of Portabello Mushroom and Truffle Raviolo; and Food Network’s “Restaurant: Impossible” host Robert Irvine’s growing legion of fans waited for their photo opp throughout the afternoon.
Sunday, August 28, 2016 – LEXUS Grand Tasting
A breezy Sunday in Santa Monica ended the culinary extravaganza as guests had the opportunity to enjoy a mouthwatering Salt & Straw Apple Pie A la Mode thanks to Tyler Malek; Halibut with Pineapple and Rice Noodle from Charles Phan (Slanted Door Group); a decadent and over-the-top dessert bar from The Peninsula Beverly Hills complete with Habanero Honey Dew shooters; to a buttery and flaky Clam “Po Boy” Sandwich from Chef Kevin Nashan (Sidney Street Café).
Hint For The Average Socialite: Tickets are available to purchase by visiting LAFW.com or by calling 855-433-LAFW (5239).
What's Trending: @lafoodwine #lafoodwine #foodies @Emeril @HughAcheson @Rick_Bayless @cheffalkner @ChefBenFord @RobertIrvine
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