Masters of Taste 2022

Ethnic Surprises at Masters of Taste 2022

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French Macaron was the star at the etoilefilantepatisserie booth (www.etoilefilantepatisserie.com) Radiant Vicky Escalante specializes in character Macarons.

(Gerry Furth-Sides) If Italian and soul food and Thai were insanely popular at the 2022 sold out Masters of Taste 2022 it is no surprise. The news is all the surprising twists of why for these ethnic and regional favorites.

A Masters of Taste directory map of the 100+ savory and sweet Culinary Masters plus vendor booths

Over 100 savory Culinary Masters and restaurants, plus unique sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters. Top Beverage Masters featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and bars, along with select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment. ease see www.MastersofTasteLA.com for details and tickets.


100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2022 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services.

Masters of Taste 2022 directly benefits Union Station Homeless Services

Bigger-than-Life, 786 degrees‘s Master Pizzaiolo Ali Haider Ali, greeted Masters of Taste 2022 visitors right inside the gate. He worked the Rose Bowl Stadium as it would be his own small kitchen.  But when I asked him about his VPN insignia on his chef coat and if he knew American founder, Peppe Miele, he paid attention.  His respect and the significance for the history, integrity and authenticity of pizza is what has made his pies so popular. Margherita Napolitana D.O.C., the pizza that earned him the Vera Pizza Napolitana certification, the mozzarella di Buffalo is imported form the Campania region of Italy.

Master Pizzaiolo, Ali Haider, 786 degrees, with his VPN sleeve badge at Masters of Taste 2022

Master Pizzaiolo, Ali Haider of 786 Degrees Pizza in Pasadena and Sun Valley, is considered the “thinking man’s creator of pizza. He is also spiritual and explains that the number “786” has beautiful meaning in some cultures of, “May God Shower blessings upon you.” 

Ali’s pizza awards are numerous. They include an 8 time national and world championships under his belt.  And 786 has received as best restaurant. accolades from almost every food publication to Forbes Magazine

How could it not be a best bite? Ali even sources his authentic exotic spices internationally. Here, the thin crust crunch and chew of a Classic Pistachio Pesto – Bianca (Vegetarian 🌱!)Pistachio Pesto, buttery creamy Cheese, Fontina, Fresh Mozzarella, Napoli sea salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, seasoned with Oregano, Thyme & Rosemary.

Bianca (Vegetarian) pizza with homemade pistachio pesto from 786 Degrees at Masters of Taste 2022

Egypt 🇪🇬 Smoked Mozzarella, Egyptian garlic yogurt sauce, Lamb and Beef Mixed KOFTA, Roasted onions, Egyptian herbs, spices, olive oil & Himalayan salt. With halal meat.

from 786 Degrees’s Egypt 🇪🇬 Smoked Mozzarella at Masters of Taste 2022

Italian cuisine always reigned in Southern California. Celestino Drago and his brothers who are from Sicily only strengthened this belief with their excellent, consistent Southern Italian cuisine and hospitality to match.

The Drago brothers, legendary Celestino at left and Celestino owner, Calogero top right, “at work” making it play at Masters of Taste 2022. Note the Parmigano Reggiano “bowl!”

The people already won us over for the sold out Masters of Taste 2022 even before we got onto the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl.  Everyone was just so happy to to be out together with people.  The vendor participant were no exception. Drago’s Executive Catering Chef, lively Fredy Esobar, here with Taste & Company owner-chef, Cynthia Mamukari.

 

Drago’s Executive Catering Chef, lFredy Esobar, with Taste & Company owner-chef, Cynthia Mamukari at Masters of Taste 2022

And coming back full circle to French cuisine, Chef Gabriel Capelli at historic The Raymond 1886 is Italian. But he served an unusual dish often found on French menus, Pigeonneau, or squab, on French menus. It takes a deft hand to pull off although the dish is prepared with young pigeons that have never flown. So it has a milder, and tenderer meat than an adult pigeon.

Italian Chef Gabriel Capelli at The Raymond 1886 served Pigeonneau, A French dish of Squab Leg with spinach puree and citrus gastrique at Masters of Taste 2022

The twist on regional southern food that has captured the hearts of Southern California diners at least is “hot & spicy” fried chicken. The all heart service of Gus’s world Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken helps keep it at the top of the list.

Gus’s World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken‘s crew – after serving a steady stream of guests for four hours- with as much Southern charm as the food at Masters of Taste 2022

The smile says it all at Masters of Taste 2022 about why Georgia’s Soul Food has propelled itself into the mainstream in Southern California (Long Beach, Anaheim) the past few years. With a strong start as a catering company using treasured family recipes, the suburban locations have also attracter new customers.

The smile says it all at Masters of Taste 2022 about why Georgia’s Soul Food has propelled itself into the mainstream in Southern California (Long Beach, Anaheim) the past few years

I have never understood why the universally appealing flavors and friendliest people the world serving it, Thai, was considered exotic. Re-enforcing the popularity with an eye popping, inter-active performance dish is 2019 Michelin Bib Gourmand Chef Vanda Apasadu of Ayara Thai.

Chef Vanda is the Host Chef of Masters of Taste 2022 and helped arrange an entire Thai Pavilion at the event. After working with Chef Tommy Tang, who is considered the father of Modern Thai cuisine after introducing it to Los Angeles and New York diners, I’m so pleased at this recognition.

Chef Vanda Arapaho of Ayara Thai.

Masters of Taste 2022 Preview Promises!

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) The invite that arrives this year signaled the transition of lockdown to a party!

The invite two years after the last preview party to the Masters of Taste 2022 preview party!

The festive and fun 5thAnniversary Masters of Taste preview promises the L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival will be the welcome back public event after two years. The Sunday,April 3rd, 2022, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm takes place on the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl! 

VIP tickets are already sold out for the Masters of Taste 2022

The food at the preview, in the locker room of the historic Rose Bowl. In the locker room! (due to threat of rain). This is the ultimate behind-the-scenes experience and you get the same exhilarating feeling at the Masters of Taste event itself.

Love at first bite: Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery’s the Cornbread Cupcakes with almond, chicken liver mousse, luxando cherries and chive sprinkles are alone worth coming to the Masters of Taste 2022! “That’s why I am the head cheese! says Agnes.
Horrible glare lights, a camera in a hurry and the most refined, decadent cornbread cupcakes in the world by Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery at the Masters of Taste 2022 preview party!
Gabi James’ Albondigas lush Chimayo at the Masters of Taste 2022 preview party
Gretchen’s festive southern Jambalaya from Georgia’s Restaurant at the Masters of Taste 2022 preview
Cru winery’s 2017 Vineyard (@cruwinery) Montage Pinot Noir Noodle, is a natural pairing with Ayara Thai’s (@ayarathai) Chef Vanda Asaphahu’s Boat Beef Noodle Soup

Masters of Taste is introducing Chef Vanda Asapahu as it’s first-ever female Host Chef of Masters of Taste, which also happens to mark the 5th Anniversary of this celebrated event. This year, Masters of Taste falls in April, during which Thai New Year, Songkran, is also celebrated. Chef Vanda has invited 3 other L.A. Thai restaurants, to participate in the SongkranThai SELECT Pavilion, a celebration spanning the Rose Bowl’s end zone.

Masters of Taste 2022 happy media, here Jose Martinez of LA

The special pavilion will feature traditional Thai sundry general store and Songkran festival. As a culinary challenge, each Thai restaurant will prepare a dish, dessert, and/or cocktail using a common paste, sahm kler (which translates to “3 buddies”), and comprises white peppercorn, garlic, and cilantro root. This aromatic mixture is used in a variety of Thai dishes and is quite possibly the reason why Thai food is so special.

100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2022 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a nonprofit organization committed to providing permanent solutions to end homelessness and rebuild lives. Headquartered in Pasadena, CA, Union Station has served the community for nearly 50 years. Today it is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families.

Cheers! Masters of Taste has raised over $2 Million in support of Union Station Homeless Services life-saving programs.

Union Station Homeless Services’ mission is guided by the belief that everyone deserves a life of dignity and a place to call home. In the last four years Masters of Taste has raised over $2 Million in support of Union Station Homeless Services life-saving programs.

VIP tickets are sold out. It was so touching to hear the Mission representative tell the story of how he thought to give the event a chance five years ago as an alternative to the more tried-and-true methods of fundraising. And how phenomenal it was to see the successful response.

And to go from Master’s of Taste Preview Party 2022 is everyone’s regional favorite: a Brownie, this one from Bertha Mae’s Brownies with Sea Salt & Caramel

This year Masters of Taste 2022 will partner with Careers Through Culinary Arts Program, Los Angeles (C-CAP LA) to bring high school volunteer assistance at the event. Named a National Apprenticeship Program by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2021 , he non-profit Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) provides culinary, job, and life skills to over 20,000 middle-and-high school students in seven regions across the United States: New York City, Newark, Philadelphia and Camden, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C.,Maryland,Northern Virginia, and Arizona, including 7 Navajo Reservation schools.   

The Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) team headed up by Gail Carney, Lisa Fontanesi and Lori Wessell are professional-level volunteers at the Masters of Taste 2022

   

Masters of Taste Celebrates Ethnic Fare “Live” in 2022!

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) “They had me” at the Rose Bowl Event site. “They had me” at the free parking. And that’s even before reading the Masters of Taste 2022 of over 3,000 food and beverage enthusiasts together for one afternoon. This exhilarating festival 100- plus  Culinary Masters and restaurants, along with a huge variety sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters and Beverage Masters.

We are at the Rose Bowl! Masters of Taste 2022 coming up

The very top Beverage Masters Vendors will be featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and bars, along with select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment.   

We are at the Rose Bowl arriving in the tunnel! ! Masters of Taste 2022 coming up

The most amazing thing about Masters of Taste is that 100% of the proceeds go directly to benefit Union Station Homeless Services and not many food festivals can say that. Union Station Homeless Services is committed to ending homelessness in Los Angeles.”

Masters of Taste2022 will take place on Sunday, April 3rd, 2022. A VIP Power Hour will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm and General Admission will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Tickets to this event are only available for guests 21+ and over. For more information on Masters of Taste 2022 or to book your tickets directly, please visit//mastersoftastela.com/tickets/.

Down the stairs in the Rose Bowl ! Masters of Taste 2022 coming up

You are able to check out the individual restaurants by pressing on their website below:

The A-List of eateries at Masters of Taste 2022

Ayara Thai 2022 Host Chef Vanda Asapahu – Westcheste


Ayara Thai 2022 Host Chef Vanda Asapahu – Westchester 786 Degrees Chef Ali Haider – Pasadena, Sun Valley 1212 Santa Monica Chef Luca Maita – Santa Monica Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery Chef Thomas Kalb – Pasadena Alexander’s SteakhouseChef Richard Archuleta – PasadenaArth Bar + KitchenChef Sagar Ghosh – Culver City Bone KettleChef Erwin Tjahyadi – PasadenaCelestino RistoranteChef Calogero Drago – Pasadena Champion’s CURRY Chef Yoya Takahashi – Downtown, Los Angeles Drago Centro Chef Celestino Drago – Downtown, Los Angeles Five 55 Chef Austin Lee – Monterey Park Gabi James arah Gabriele & Adam Aros Redondo Beach Georgia’s Restaurant Nika Shoemaker-Machado – Anaheim, Long Beach

Georgia’s Restaurant Nika Shoemaker-Mac

Gracias Madre Chef Justin Haefler – West Hollywood, Newport Beach Granville Mark Dix – Studio City, Burbank, West Hollywood, Pasadena Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken  – Burbank, Long Beach, Los Angeles

Hank’s Chef Isaias Peña – Pacific Palisades Holy Basil Chef Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat & Tongkamal “Joy” Yuon – Downtown, Los Angeles Iron Teapot Dim Sum & Bar Sally Chan – Los Angeles Kye’s Feel Good Food Jeanne Cheng – Santa Monica La Bohéme Chef Atsushi Kenjo – West Hollywood Little Llama Peruvian Tacos Chef Jean Valcarcel – Downtown, Los Angeles Lunasia Chef Lee Han Fu – Pasadena, Alhambra, Cerritos Luv2Eat Thai Bistro Chef Somruthai “Fern” Kaewtathip & Chef Noree “Pla” Burapapituk – Los Angeles Mercado Chef Jose Acevedo – Hollywood, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica Mi Piace Chef Gille Saulnier – Pasadena Open Face Food Shop Chef Lene Houck – West Adams, Los Angeles

Otus Thai Kitchen & Coffee Chef June Intrachat – West Hollywood Pez Cantina Chef Bret Thompson – Downtown, Los Angeles Poppy + Rose and Poppy & Seed Chef Michael Reed – Downtown, Los Angeles, Anaheim Qué Padre Chef Isaias Peña – Pacific Palisades Ramen Tatsunoya Chef Ryuta Kajiwara – Pasadena, Silver Lake Ruam Mitr Kwanklao Disbanchong & Benchawan Phoungtai – Los AngelesSantuari Chef Seth Greenberg – Toluca Lake Stand-Up Burgers Chef Kajsa Alger – Berkeley, Los AngelesTaishi Hainan Chicken Chef Theo Shio – Redondo Beach, Long BeachThe Colony Club and SO.PA Chef Michael Hung – Palm Springs The Raymond 1886 Chef Gabriel Cappelli – Pasadena

True Food KitchenChef Stephanie Nguyen – PasadenaVegan Sunday Supper Richard Klein – Los AngelesWe Olive Ervin Galvan – Pasadena World EmpanadasChef Matthew Hirtz – Burbank Yardbird Chef Eduardo Osorio – Los AngelesY uca’s RestaurantS ocorro “Mama Yuca’s” Herrera – Pasadena

Food Trucks: KabobaholicAli Pooya – Los Angeles, Orange CountyOkamoto Kitchen Gerald Abraham – Los AngelesThe Tropic TruckLauren Saravia – Los Angeles VCHOS Wendy Centeno – Los Angeles Wings N Waffles Jontae Vinson – Los Angeles, Orange County

Sweet Masters: A select group of Los Angeles Top Sweet Masters will showcase an assortment of delectable desserts such as Bertha Mae’s Brownies, unique Indian treats from Banana Leaf, handcrafted pudding from Better Together Sweets, custom cakes and desserts from Butter Cake Shoppe, French macarons and gourmet cookies from Etoile Filante Patisserie, deliciously scrumptious scratch baked custom cakes and cupcakes fromFantasy Frostings, Lark Cake Shop, Chocolatier Mignon Chocolate, Nomad Ice Pops, homemade premium sorbets from Pop’s Artisinal Creamery,  Nothing Bundt Cakes, and more. 

Bars & Spirits: 2022 Masters of Taste Platinum Sponsor Beam Suntory will be premiering their House of Suntory Tiny House on the 50 Yard Line along with a Maker’s Mark Lounge, and more. Some of L.A.’s top bartenders and cocktail bars will be creating first-rate craft cocktails, including Maxwell Reis ofGracias Madre and Miguel Perez of 1886 Bar at The Raymond. 

Top brands showcasing their finest spirits at Masters of Taste will include American Born Whiskey, Dulce Vida Tequila, High Road Spirits serving Lucky Dog Sake Juice Boxes, Knox & Dobson, Krafted Spirits, Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal, Pomp & Whimsy, Smoke Lab Vodka, Ventura Spirits, Veso Aperitifs, Wild Roots Organic Vodka, Xoloitzcuintle Tequila, and  Woodford Reserve will be exclusively featured in the Rose Bowl Court of Champions.

Wineries and Sake: A specially curated collection of Wine Masters will be showcasing their finest varietals including premium boutique winery Ascension Cellars, CRŪ Winery,Ferguson Family Wines, Golden Star Vineyards & Winery, Hitching Post Winery, Kikusi Brewery (Sake), Obvious Wines, Anderson Valley’s Navarro Vineyards, Seisyu Akagisan Sake,Tobias Glen Vineyard, and more.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages: A variety of premium non-alcoholic Beverage Masters will also be on hand for those who wish to hydrate, caffeinate or regenerate, such as Yerba Mate from Erva Brew Co., Humm Kombucha, distilled and elegantly blended non-alcoholic beverages from Optimist Drinks, boba milk tea from Sunright Tea Studio and Bearology, natural ginger beer from TrueRoots Brewing Co., handcrafted beverage starters from The Base Co., and more.

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