Chef Ingrid Hoffmann preparing affogatos during Latin Food Fest. Photo by Chris Brake
The popular and congenial Chef Ricardo Zarate has been chosen as Title Chef of the fourth annual ¡Latin Food Fest! 2016. The Latin food, wine and spirits event takes place the weekend of March 18th to 21st. At the signature event, the Grande Tasting, guests will enjoy culinary delights from the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico, Portugal and Spain. The Grande Tasting will take place both Saturday and Sunday. Last year 20,000 people attended the event, making it the largest Latin food festival in America.
Celebrity chefs, along with distilleries and wineries, will gather at Grand Park in Downtown LA for a non-stop celebration of food, spirits and wine. Besides Ricardo Zarate, who made his name as a cookbook author and through his restaurants, Picca, Mo Chica, and Paiche, participating chefs include Francisco “Paco” Perez, Santiago Laguna “Chago,” Connie Cossio, Ben Diaz, and Chuck Abair. ¡Latin Food Fest! will also feature an all-Latina cooking demonstration on-stage, including Univision morning chef/host Tati Polo (demonstrating Venezuelan), Chef Alicia Maher (demonstrating Salvadoran), Alejandra Schrader (demonstrating Venezuelan), Milbet Del Cid (demonstrating Guatemalan) and Natalie Curie (demonstrating Mexican).
Guests will also enjoy Latin wine and spirits-tasting journey to the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico, Portugal and Spain. Wines from Argentina, California, Mexico, Spain and spirits such as Bacanora, Cachaça, Mezcal, Raicilla, Rum, Sotol and Tequila. In addition to the tastings and cooking demos, there will be dancing, live music, and a silent auction. Tickets are $65 for General Admission on Saturday, which is 21 and over. On Sunday, tickets are only $10 for kids under 18, who will insist that they are no longer kids. Get your tickets here. ¡Latin Food Fest! 2016 is helping to bring awareness and raise funds for the fight against hunger.
