Chef Ingrid Hoffmann preparing affogatos during Latin Food Fest. Photo by Chris Brake
Welcome to the beginning of Food Event season! We can barely keep up, but we wanted to make sure you all knew about The Latin Food Fest taking place this weekend. The signature event, Gran Tasting, will be taking place at The Santa Monica Pier Saturday afternoon. From 12 noon until 3pm, guests can enjoy 150 food, beverage, wine, beer and spirits stations, Cooking Demos, a Wine Workshop, Best of Fest Awards, Live Art and Live Music. Chefs Marcela Valladolid and Enrique Olvera will conduct cooking demonstrations on the main stage, discuss culinary trends, and sign copies of their books.
The planned menu includes Venezuela Arepas, Salvadoran Pupusas, Cuban Ropa Vieja, Argentine Empanadas, Spanish Paella, Oaxacan Corn, Chilean Cebiche, Brazilian Moqueca and more from chefs like Josiah Citrin, Ricardo Zarate, Javier Plascentia, and Dona Kailita,
Beverages include Agave Liquor, Bacanora, Cachaca, Mezcal, Pisco, Popo, Pulque, Raicilla, Rum, Sotol, and Tequila. There will also be generous pours of wines from Argentina, Chile, Napa, Portugal, and Spain alongside beer that includes Tona Cerveza from Nicaragua, Estrella Damm from Spain, and Estrella Cerveza from Mexico — and a Michelada contest.
The tickets are super-reasonable for an LA food event. If you don’t plan to drink, the Gran Tasting Designated Driver is only $25. For your boozy pals, it’s still only $39 for General Admission. Early admission tickets, which give you an 11am entry before the crowds descend is $49. Gran Tasting VIP gives you access to an entire VIP area with special plates and drinks as well as a gift bag.
