LA Times’ The Taste (pic from 2016)

I always look forward to Labor Day Weekend because it’s around my birthday. And it feels like the Los Angeles Times is throwing me a personal party when they bring their food festival, The Taste, to the Paramount Studios. This year, the multi-day food festival begins on Friday, August 30 and continues through Sunday, September 1.

It’s been a few years since I went to the Taste (as mentioned, it’s always around my birthday so I’ve been out of town the last couple of years) so I’m really happy the events are only in the evenings now. They begin at 7:30 every night and goes through 10 p.m.

The first one on Friday, August 30 an Italian cooking demo, a mystery taste extravaganza with LA Times’ Lucas Kwan Peterson, a Tour de France of wine talk and more! But it would be a food festival without all the participating restaurants. I’m looking forward to bites from Fat Dragon, Free Play, Tacos 1986, Hamasaku, Lady M cakes, Ma’am Sir, Park’s BBQ, Redbird and so, so, so many more!

Then the next day, Saturday, August 31 features a cooking demo with Jitlada, a sake demo and more food! I can’t wait to check out Nic’s on Beverly, The Bellweather, Gus’ Famous Fried Chicken, Pikoh, Baltaire and way more than I can ever eat! I will have to bring a hollow leg!

The last day of the Taste will showcase cooking demos from Tacos 1986, Tartine with Chef Chris Bianco and the one I’m really excited for– chef Teresa Montano with Otono. Not a drinker? There’ll be a mocktails demo from Redbird’s Tobin Shea.

Some of my picks for restaurant bites include The Bazaar, Roberta’s Pizza, Luv2Eat Thai, Osteria Mozza, Le Comptoir, VCHOS Truck and yes, plenty more!

A few months ago, I tried Kelvin Slush and I’m happy to see they’re going to be at the Taste. The boozy slushies are just great- not too sweet and well balanced. Think craft cocktails but in a slush. I’m also happy to see local distilleries like Mulholland and Blinking Owl distilleries.

Keep an eye out for Lillet, Angel’s Envy whiskey, Leblon cachaca, Teeling whiskey, St. Germain, Santa Teresa rum and more to drink!

Can’t make it to LA for the Taste? Check out the event in Orange County October 18 and 19.

See you at the Taste!

Los Angeles Times’ The Taste

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