The Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival is back with a wide array of events. But we can only attend so many. There is a time to splurge, and we tell you when to do it. Here is where we recommend you empty our wallets and fill your bellies.
Thursday: Giada’s Fiesta Italiana “Los Angeles Food & Wine– where celebrity meets celebrity chef! Giada De Laurentiis plays host at this very special night alongside a line-up of culinary icons and their unique interpretations of Italian cuisine. Over two hundred wines from around the world will be poured alongside top brews and spirits. This is your chance to rub shoulders with culinary royalty while feasting and toasting to all that makes LA great – from rock stars to rock star chefs to Hollywood elites and unparalleled wines, this is the night not to be missed.”
VIP Access – Gets you early access a full 30 minutes before the General Admission and access to a VIP only area at the heart of the event. Very Limited quantities are available. 8/9/12, 7:00p – 10:00p Downtown: Nokia Plaza – L.A. Live Price: $195.00 VIP: $250.00
Friday: Lunch at Street with Susan Feniger & Kajsa Alger “Join celebrated chef Susan Feniger and her co-owner/chef Kajsa Alger as they lead a spice class of global proportions. Chat with Susan and Kajsa, co-authors of their new cookbook Susan Feniger’s STREET FOOD, irresistibly crispy, creamy, crunchy, spicy, sticky, sweet, in an intimate setting about exotic spices, global cooking and traveling the world, as they lead lunchers’ tastebuds along a culinary spice trail from world’s kitchen to their Hollywood restaurant. The conversation will include a generous sampling of STREET favorites, custom cocktails and wine. Guests will leave with customized spice packets to try cooking global goodies in their own kitchens. 8/10/12, 12:00p – 2:30p Hollywood: Dining Room – Street Price: $125.00″
Friday: Eater Presents Asian Night Market “Hosted by Andrew Zimmern (Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” franchise) at Downtown’s L.A. LIVE, the Asian Night Market will feature an abundance of unique tastings using Asian-inspired ingredients from some of the nation’s most influential chefs. Join us as we re-invent the classic Night Market into a multi-sensory street food experience that brings the flavor of Asian night markets from Taipei to Kuala Lumpur to the Nokia Plaza at LA Live! Serving up traditional as well as interpretive Asian street grub from both established restaurants and mom-and-pop joints, the Night Market recreates the celebratory chaos and delicious energy of the quintessential Asian Night Market experience with a distinct West Coast flavor. Along with tastings of street food from over 30 participating restaurants and eateries, admission includes custom cocktails, sake, shochu, beer and free-flowing wine. VIP Access – Gets you early access a full 30 minutes before the General Admission and access to a VIP only area at the heart of the event. Very Limited quantities are available. 8/10/12, 7:00p – 10:00p Downtown: Nokia Plaza – L.A. Live Price: $75.00 VIP: $125.00
Saturday: The Southern Brunch, Perfected “Combining the talents of Lexus Culinary Masters Michelle Bernstein and Dean Fearing, this one-of-a-kind cooking demonstration and tasting, complete with sparkling libations, will provide the fixings for a Perfect Southern Brunch. Help yourself to some good old Southern Hospitality with classic dishes, adapted by the hands of these award–winning chefs. Long known as the “Father of Southwestern Cuisine” and now the creator of a new generation of highly flavorful dishes, Chef Dean Fearing (Fearings’ Restaurant, Dallas, TX) knows the power of good comfort food. Paired with the famed latin-style cooking of Southeast-hailing Chef Michelle Bernstein (Michy’s & Sra. Martinez, Miami, FL), guests are in for a mouthwatering treat. It has been said, that true Southern hospitality begins in the kitchen, so experience it done right as this dynamic duo invites you into their kitchen for a fun and sumptuous adventure. 8/11/12, 10:30a – 11:45a Downtown: Diamond Ballroom Salon 4 – JW Marriott Price: $50.00″
Saturday: Lexus LIVE on the Plaza “An unbelievable strolling reception, capped with an extraordinary musical performance. 30 chefs and 200 wines will serve up delicious samples. This is the culmination of a city-wide celebration of all things Food, Wine, Celebrity and Los Angeles. VIP Access – Gets you a private Cooking Demonstration with the one and only Guy Fieri from 530pm -630pm and early access to the event. Very Limited Quantities are available. 8/11/12, 7:00p – 10:00p Downtown: Nokia Plaza – L.A. Live Price: $250.00 VIP: $350.00
Sunday: Cooking demo with Brian and Michael Voltaggio “Here at Los Angeles Food & Wine, we are thrilled to host a brotherly reunion of sorts as high-wattage siblings Michael and Bryan Voltaggio showcase their high-voltage cuisine. Michael’s signature style incorporates many molecular gastronomy techniques, in which science, art and food are synthesized. Bryan’s fluid grasp of haute-cuisine is also generation-next so join us as these former Top Chef rivals join forces for a Master Class that is sure to sell out. 8/12/12, 10:30a – 11:45a Downtown: Diamond Ballroom Salon 4 – JW Marriott Price: $50.00″
Sunday: Lexus Grand Tasting “The Lexus Grand Tasting at Los Angeles Food & Wine is the most spectacular opportunity to enjoy over 300 wines from 200 of the world’s most prestigious wineries. 30 Celebrity Chefs will showcase their culinary skills and provide delicious and decadent tasting samples of their cuisine. During this remarkable strolling event you will have access to book signings and photo sessions with some of the weekend’s biggest chef celebrities. This event takes place on the Event Deck at LA LIVE where the entire space is transformed into a feast for all senses! Don’t miss this great opportunity to experience food and wine at its best VIP Access – Gets you early access before General Admission and access to a VIP only area in the heart of the event. Very Limited Quantities are available. 8/12/12, 12:00p – 3:00p Downtown: Event Deck – L.A. Live Price: $150.00 VIP: $195.00″
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