Monday, September 12, 2011

THE TASTE'S "Picnic In The Park"

It is hard to believe that we are at the closing event for the 2011 Los Angeles Times | FOOD & WINE'S THE TASTE! I must say though, that they've saved the best for last. I couldn't think of a better way to spend Labor Day than THE TASTE "Picnic In The Park".

The events atmosphere was electric and definitely designed to be a picnic atmosphere geared for the entire family to enjoy. There were a kid friendly foods, and activities throughout the afternoon. The first wine and food Festival that I have attended that had family-focused day.




Melissa D'Arabian
The cooking demos included Food Network's Melissa d'Arabian, renowned actress Debi Mazar and her husband Gabriele Corcos who host popular online cooking series "Under the Tuscan Gun" as well as the cooking channel's "Extra-Virgin".






This delightful afternoon culminated with a one hour question and answer session with the event's Host, Giada De Laurentis. Giada, as always was generous with the audience answering all their questions as well as taking the time at the end of the session to pose for pictures and sign autographs!

All in all, the 2011 THE TASTE  was a tremendous success from the friendly Festival staff to the Exhibitors and Restaurants who participated in feeding us and entertaining us. I can't wait for next year's THE TASTE!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

THE TASTE'S "STREET EATS" @ The Studios at Paramount





Our Sunday continued at The Studios at Paramount in Hollywood with the evening event "Street Eats" hosted by Top Chef Master, author, restauranteur and one half of the "To Hot Tamales" Susan Feniger!

The backlot streets of Paramount Studios was the perfect setting to showcase a virtual cornucopia of Street cuisine that is Los Angeles. It's not often that you get to taste and experience the amazing array food trucks in such a close proximity to each other. It was a delicious and fun way to have dinner on Sunday.

Chef Fabio Viviani
In addition the cooking demos were the best! you haven't lived until you have Top Chef favorite Fabio Viviani teach you how to make gnocchi and then throw some at the audience so that we can experience the consistency of the gnocchi first hand! Fabio's wit and joie de vivre are only matched by his enjoyment and passion for teaching. Fabio is a joy to watch in action!

Chef Alex Guarnaschelli
For me there is only one person that can successfully follow Fabio and that person is Food Network's judge on Chopped as well as her own show Alex's Day Off, Alex Guarnaschelli. Chef Alex regaled us with stories about how it feels to be in a studio for 14 hours eating strange food made out of those infamous Chopped baskets, as well as the judges interactions with the contestants while cooking under such strenuous conditions.Alex cooked for us of beautiful dishes with the freshest of ingredients and the simplicity that made us all want to go home and try them!

THE TASTE Fashion Bites Brunch





I cannot think of a more exciting place to have Sunday brunch band the world famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills! Dozens of fine restaurants from Fig & Olive, Napa Valley Grille, Nate 'N Al's to Cafe Rodeo served us fantastic and scrumptious eats.

The atmosphere was magical as all the shops on Rodeo Drive were open for business!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

THE TASTE'S "Secrets from the Kitchen & Cellars"


THE TASTE continued today with  "Secrets from the Kitchen & Cellars", an afternoon filled with fabulous food, insightful and informative cooking demos and wine and spirit tastings.

We started the morning by visiting the dozens of restaurants and exhibitors of wines and spirits participating in the event. Among the restaurants that we stopped by were La Seine, Mr. Chow, Black Market, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Sam's by the Beah, my personal favorite, Scarpetta @ The Montage, and many others.

We chatted with Chef Scott Conant about the fabulous Scarpetta Restaurant's Sunday brunch! The brunch is to die for and it's where I celebrated my 60th birthday with 10 of my closest friends and family.

Chef Drago
Our next stop was at the cooking demos at the tents. First up was chef Celestino Drago of the Drago Ristorante in Santa Monica as well as Pastaio, Drago Centro. Chef demonstrated for us to beautiful rissotto with organic beets. The dish was both beautiful and delightfully flavorful ( yes, we all got to taste it)!

Chef Scott Conant
Our next stop was to be with chef Scott Conant at the second tent. Chef shared with us to dishes from his childhood, simple pasta with garlic and a warm pasta salad with buffalo mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes. Remember the pasta water should taste like "BROTH"!

Our next presenter was Claire Robinson, the Food Network's host "5 Ingredient Fix" as well as Food Network's Challenge. There is nothing that Claire cannot do you five simple ingredients and her imagination.while creating dishes, Claire regaled us with behind the scenes stories about both of her shows. Claire is a talented chef and his delightful to get to know and talk.



Next stop for us the Paramount Studios backlot and Tacos and Tequila Tryst.

Friday, September 2, 2011

The Los Angeles Times | FOOD & WINE'S The TASTE Kick's Off With BURGERS & BEER



The official kickoff to the fantastic weekend events for The Los Angeles Times | FOOD & WINE'S The TASTE began tonight with Burgers and Beers!

Chef Alex, Bianca The Foodie, Claire Robinson
The red carpet was jumping with famous chefs, television celebrities, and foodies.  Food Network stars such as Claire Robinson, Chef Scott Conant, Aarti Sequeira, Candace Nelson (the Queen of cupcakes) and Alex Guarnaschelli were greeted by the media.

Bianca The Foodie & Kathy Griffin
We got a chance to speak to BRAVO TV's and Emmy award winner Kathy Griffin. Kathy was having a ball meeting fans, eating delicious burgers from over 30+ of Los Angeles great restaurants.

Bianca The Foodie & Fabio Viviani
Top Chef's Fabio Viviani was excited to have THE TASTE in his back yard. Fabio was also looking forward to his demo at THE TASTE's "Street Eats" on the Paramount Lot Sunday, Sept. 4th. Tickets are still available at THE TASTE website.

The deliciously prepared burger samples were beautifully displayed by the participating restaurants which included Delphine, LA Market, The Counter Burger, STK, The Yard, Kaibi Burger, City Tavern, Westside Tavern, and others.

Wines and Spirits were flowing from the likes of Peroni Beer, Blue Moon Beer, Cupcake Wines, etc.

The weekend's first cooking demo was presented by Marc Boussaire, The Counter's Executive Chef. The TASTE could not have chosen a better chef to begin a weekend full of information, good food and fun! Chef Marc has it all, great skills, good looks and a wonderful personality.


Next up is Saturday's "Secrets from the Kitchen & Cellar on Saturday, Sept. 3rd from 11-3 in Beverly Hills. Tickets are available at THE TASTE website or at the door.