Ethnic Restaurants + Products Stand Out at PPLA Food Fare 2018

March 7, 2018

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) New ethnic restaurants, newly renamed ethnic restaurants with expanded authentic menus and classic eateries with ethnic products for sale highlighted the best-ever event PPLA FOOD FARE 2018. The feeling of genuine hospitality and generosity lent good cheer from beginning to end.

Multi-generations at the food fare. Sophy Cohen with dad, Alain (top) and the absolutely terrific volunteer crew (bottom)

And it all started with a cheerful, helpful and welcoming head valet from Chuck Pic’s valet service. Even the lady driver in this grab shot is smiling!

FoodFare is the time to meet a number of Los Angeles legendary chefs who are ethnic cuisine masters. It was so crowded this year that we did not get back to their booths!

LA legendary executive chefs! Left to Right: Olivier Rouselle of the LUXE HOTEL, Josiah Citrin of Melisse and Charcoal Venice and Hamasaku’s Yoja Takahashi,who recently opened UMI in El Segundo.

The first Foodfare honoree in 2010, Chef Alain Giraud, helped his wife, Catherine Giraud’s company, Lavender Blue, with her booth this year!

The youngest volunteer participants, now “veterans” stand out each year. Dedicated and still exuberant, they are often the third generation in their family to help out.

All dressed up to taste in the morning and now ready to work in the evening

And then there is the food! (We did not even get a chance to look at the wine and beer samplings plus the silent wine auction – a full event in and of itself!

The silent auction table filled with local and international wines

Longtime favorites include Angelini Osteria with their signature spinach lasagna. We are so honored to have a corner piece! This was at the beginning of the evening because long lines quickly formed.

Angelini Osteria with their signature spinach lasagna

This year’s news is the new products now being sold by restaurants. Famous chef Gino Angeleni has tomato sauces, olive oil, and dressings.

Chef Gino Angelini’s new products

//localfoodeater.com/39th-annual-ppla-food-fare-2017-is-best-yet/

The Drago family’s signature wild mushroom soup

Celestino Drago was a PPLA Food Fare honoree in 2014 and The Drago family of restaurants are always well represented throughout the city and Pasadena. They brought their mushroom soup, always a favorite bite.

This year they also brought their newest product from Drago’s Cantina: Cucumber Jalapeño cocktails – in a box.

Drago’s Cantina’s cocktails – in a box.

Other Italian restaurants include the Italian-inspired Porta Via in Beverly Hills and our own California-inspired Rosti Tuscan Kitchen serves up signature chicken and salads. Rao’s Hollywood made famous in New York is always a draw. RAOS sauces are also found in markets now.

RAOS famous meatballs coming up! (above and below)

The eastern European cuisine new restaurant DOMA in the marina area also served succulent meatballs, these made of chicken. The dish was from a family recipe, made from scratch and excellent.

Chef Christina of Doma Kitchen

Asian cuisine was ready at the opening with Takami Sushi, one of the annual returning restaurants.

Takami Chefs ready to go at the opening

Takami refined, flavorful ceviche and “chips”

From Latino kitchens comes Border Grill, Petty Cash Taqueria, and Pinches Tacos, inspired by Chef Toribio Prado.

//localfoodeater.com/chefspotlight/star-chef-toribio-prados-meteoric-career/

Border Grill’s beloved other half, Susan Feniger

Got Kosher? Bakery introduces their newly renamed HARISSA RESTAURANT to the event. Chef Alain Cohen has participated for the past ten years in PPLA food fare. //localfoodeater.com/tempting-summer-sandwiches-the-got-kosher-restaurant-style/

French-Tunisian Chef Alain Cohen and daughter Sophy

Halal and Kosher were represented at PPLA FOOD FARE 2018. Kosher is Halal (following all of their rules) but Halal is not Kosher because there are more rules in Kosher!

The Halal Guys “roamed the room” with trays serving food

The best California cuisine classic restaurant, Michael’s, had an Asian inspired dish this year. Their Grilled Broccoli was served with yuzu kosho aioli + blood orange. It was thoughtfully paired with a Malibu Vineyards 2012 Pinot Noir, from our Semlar family friends.

Jeni’s Ice Cream, a community-minded company new to Los Angeles is a first-time participant. Jeni’s is the best of American regional.

Jeni’s Ice Cream

New restaurants and restaurants not even open yet were welcome additions.

Chef Jonathan Aviles of the New Salazar in the Los Feliz area

A delicious bite with the tenderest octopus we’ve ever had by Chef/Partner Jessica Largey of Simone in the Arts District downtown. The restaurant will open later this spring.

Chef/Partner, Jessica Llargey of SIMONE in DTLA

Other restaurants include: HomeState, Kato, Pedaler’s Fork, Playa Provisions / Hudson House / The Tripel / Small Batch/Da KikoKiko, Poke 2 Go, Ray’s and Stark Bar, SOCA, Sumo Dog, Sweet & Savory, The Bel-Air, Tuck Room Tavern, Upper West Restaurant, Vucacious Catering, and Wokstar Catering (Sweet & Sour Chronicles), AR Cucina, Baltaire, Boneyard Bistro, Castle’s Catering, Clementine, Cookie Good, Craft Los Angeles and Factor’s Famous Deli.

Engaging and genuine as he is talented and supportive, Foodfare 2018 honoree Chef Chris Phelps, chef/owner of salt’s cure + breakfast by salt’s cure, talking with Bonnie Levin (far right), past event chair on this year’s decor & space planning (which was as roomy as possible) and a PPLA guild member.