Los Angeles Magazine’s The Food Event 2019 Triumphs
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Angeles magazine’s 15th annual The Food Event, miraculously held once again at the location of host-partner, Sadderock Ranch. The event featured tastings from 40 of Los Angeles iconic restaurants, as well as tastings from wineries, brews, spirits and decadent treats curated by the magazine’s editorial team.
A much more subdued Semler Ranch after the Woolsey fires in 2018 at 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
The event was moved to the smaller, spiffy private party venue to the west from the rolling, tree-shaded lawns of the Semler home, following the fires of 2018 that swept through the estate shortly after last year’s spectacular event. Malibu Family Wines producers of Saddlerock and Semler wines, was still very much in view with the wine booths and barrel tables.
A portrait of the day with the Semlers in the middle at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
A lovely little French Cafe was also installed on site by one sponsor, the Getty Museum. The MONET exhibit “cafe” announced this season’s event. The superb catering staff served up steak frites to go along with it.
Notable restaurants include: Alta Adams, Calabra, Fia, Gracias Madre, L’Antica Pizzeria de Michele, Pasta Sisters, Pikoh, and Yours Truly.
The event also introduced new chefs and chefs who have taken over important restaurants. From 71Above, Even the smallest dishes were carefully thought out. Here at the 71Above booth, a smile from Executive Chef Javier Lopez, who took over from none other than Chef Vartan Abgaryan. 71Above serves up Harry’s Berries Strawberries Verjus, Fromage Blanc Togorashi, Basil,
Even the smallest dishes were carefully thought out. Here 71Above serves up Harry’s Berries Strawberries Verjus, Fromage Blanc Togorashi, Basil, at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
A smile from Executive Chef Javier Lopez of 71 Above, below at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
Italian! Dina Cervoni was only too happy to help us with the pan “scraps” and a crunchy corner piece of delectable lasagna from Pasta Sisters, at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
Italian! L’Antica Pizzeria de Michele at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
Cooking demonstrations by chefs Brendan Collins (Fia Restaurant), Vartan Abgaryan of Yours Truly, Keith Corbin and Anne Conness (Jaffa), took place at one end of the party in a shaded tent with ample seating.
Brendan Collins doing his demo and his dish from Fia Restaurant at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
Disarming Chef Vartan Abgaryan demonstrated pastry dough making for the best piece of pizza in the world at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
A view from the demo tent at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
Restaurants also offering unlimited samples: 71Above, Calabra, Coin & Candor, Crème Caramel, Delicious at the Dunbar, Drago Centro, Eataly LA, Hamasaku, HomeState, Jaffa, Jame Enoteca, L’Antica Pizzeria de Michele, Lady M, Lark Cake Shop, LBK La Pizza Napoletana, Le Grand, Luv2Eat Thai Bistro, Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria, Makani, Manuela, Michael’s, My Little Dumpling, RiceBox, Ronan, Salazar, Spoon & Pork, STK Steakhouse, Supercool Creamery, Terranea Resort, Tesse, Wally’s.
A huge hit of the day right at the gate: TESSE’s short rib nestled into an onion ring, topped by a dollop of applesauce at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
Hamasaku Chef’ Takahashi’s performance prep at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event drew a happy, rare long line
Italian! EATALY’s crew grilled entire pork loins on site served in a fresh baked bun at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
Wacky, delicious freshly made ice cream from Supercool Creamery at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
Boutique wine tastings, craft brews, and creative cocktails will also be served. On this list: Beekeeper Cellars, Chateau Michael Kumsiashvili, Détente, Diniz Cellars, Domaine de Cala, Frank Family Vineyards, Goldschmidt Vineyards, Guarachi Family Wines, Hornitos, House of Suntory, Hoyt Family Vineyards, Josh Cellars, Maker’s Mark, Malibu Family Wines, Modus Operandi Cellars, Paul Lato Wines, Stella Artois, Trujillo Wines, Vignobles Sullivan, Zacamesa
A farewell toast with a LAWLESS wine – guests could take their personally engraved glasses home at the 2019 Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event
When I drove out of the 14t Los Angeles magazine’s The Food Event, the 14th Annual Epicurean Extravaganza in 2018 on a glorious, cloudless day, top down on the convertible and swinging all the way around from Kanan Dune to Mulholland Drive to the beach, I remember thinking, “it doesn’t get better than this.” The Woolsey fires took place two weeks later, destroying much of Saddlerock Ranch. So this year’s event really honored the remaining land.
One last look back from the Mulholland Gate at Los Angeles Magazine’s THE FOOD EVENT 2019
For more detailed information, including sponsors, please visit //www.lamag.com/thefoodevent2019.
Gerry Furth-Sides 
Barbara Hansen 
Chef-owner Alain Cohen 
Roberta Deen 
Jose Martinez 
Nivedita Basu 