“Field to Fork” Goes Global at The LA Times “TASTE” Labor Day Week-end

(Gerry Furth-Sides, Darien Morea) Globally- inspired dishes are featured by the vast array of restaurants at the upcoming Los Angeles Times ” The Taste,’  the annual festival celebrating the flavors of the world in Southern California style.

Hosted by The Times’ Food staff and acclaimed L.A. chefs and bartenders, The Taste meanders over the backlot small-town atmosphere set at  Paramount Pictures Studios.  This ultimate block party takes place during the last official days of summer vacation over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1-3).  Admission to each of the five events includes unlimited tastings from the city’s best kitchens and a variety of wine, beer, and seasonal cocktails.  Details are below.

Two-day events featuring the best of LA area ethnic food

Field to Fork –  Sat., Sept. 2, noon to 3 p.m.

Hosted by Amy Scattergood, Times Food Editor, and Sang Yoon, Chef/Owner of Father’s Office and Lukshon;
Inspired by Southern California’s agricultural roots and DIY attitude, Korean chef, Yoon, and Miles Thompson (Michael’s) share their farmers market savvy by way of cooking demos and tastings.

Editor Scattergood will lead a discussion about the importance of farms with Romeo Coleman (Coleman Family Farms), Alex Weiser (Weiser Family Farms) and Wes Whitsell (Manuela). Ethnic and regional food samplings will be offered by restaurants, including Aqui es Texcoco, Banh Oui, Cento Pasta Bar, Coni’Seafood, Cruciferous, M Café, Maury’s Bagels, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Robert’s Catering Service and VCHOS Pupuseria Moderna.

Sunday Block Party – Sun., Sept. 3, noon to 3 p.m.

Hosts Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, and Sherry Yard, Chef/Owner of Tuck Room Tavern continue The backlot block party.  Restaurants include Cheezus, Cocobella Creamery, E.A.K. Ramen, Holtville Chicken & Chops, Hummus Yummy Food Truck, MessHall, Otium, Rosaliné, The Butcher’s Daughter and Tuck Room Tavern.

Former Spago pastry chef Sherry Yard will demystify pastry-baking and David LeFevre (Manhattan Beach Post) heads up a master class on making biscuits. Carter will host a panel discussion on brunch to include Chris Phelps (Salt’s Cure).

Evening events include:

Dinner with a Twist –Sat., Sept. 2, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, Jenn Harris, Times Deputy Food Editor, Antonia Lofaso, Chef/Owner of Scopa Italian Roots and Black Market Liquor Bar, and Marco A. Ramos, Mixologist at Scopa Italian Roots;

Restaurants include Barrel & Ashes, Beauty & Essex, Black Market Liquor Bar, Faith & Flower, Mayura Indian Restaurant, Pedalers Fork, Scopa Italian Roots, Szechuan Impression, The Bellwether, The Ponte, and Wolf.

L.A.’s dining and cocktail culture take the stage with a chef-bartender demos and signature drink showcases.

Flavors of L.A. – Sun., Sept. 3, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, and Gilberto Cetina Jr., Chef/Owner of Chichen Itza and Holbox; Closing night of The Taste highlight the depth and diversity of flavors that make Los Angeles so international with demos by Cetina, Wes Avila (Guerrilla Tacos) and the team behind Badmaash: Pawan, Nakul and Arjun Mahendro.

Columnist Gold will explore Korean barbecue with masters of the grill: Jenee Kim (Park’s Barbeque) and Chris Oh (Seoul Sausage Co.). Restaurants include Chichen Itza, Frankland’s Crab & Co., Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Holbox, Luv2eat Thai Bistro, Meals by Genet, Pasta Sisters, Revolutionario North African Tacos, Same Same and Worldwide Tacos.

Los Angeles Times The Taste presented by JetBlue Plus Card is produced in association with Best Events. The Collins College of Hospitality Management, L.A. Regional Food Bank, and Midnight Mission are the event’s charity beneficiaries. Opening Night ($150). Saturday and Sunday event tickets ($95 – $130). A $25 discount is available exclusively to Times subscribers. Details and tickets: latimes.com/TheTaste. Connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TheTasteLA (#TasteLA).