LAFW on Grand (Photo by Elise Thompson)
It’s that time again! Los Angeles Food and Wine will be bringing us a five-day culinary extravaganza starting Wednesday, August 22, 2018, and culminating Sunday, August 26, 2018, with the Grand Tasting at The Barker Hanger. Now in its eighth year, LAFW brings out the country’s best chefs, using high-end ingredients and au courant cooking methods. It is a great opportunity to see what is happening on the restaurant scene, and if you are going to get foie gras, caviar and uni anywhere, this is the place.
Events include cooking demos, an exclusive lunch and dinner series, and huge tasting events where you can sample some of the best food that the chefs could offer while strolling along a red carpet on Grand Avenue in the shadow of Walt Disney Hall and the Broad, listening to top-notch entertainment like a live DJ set by Questlove.
Mark Peel’s Salmon from the 2012 LAFW Sunday Grand Tasting (Elise Thompson)
ULTIMATE BITES OF L.A.
Thursday, August 23, 2018, 7 P.M. – 10 P.M.
The first “Marquee Event” on Grand Avenue will be hosted by local luminaries Alvin Cailan of Eggslut and Antonia Lofaso of Black Market Liquor Bar and Scopa Italian Roots. This evening event features some of the best chefs in Los Angeles. Some of our favorites include Ted Hopson of The Bellwether, Nickolas Erven of Rappahannock Oyster Bar, Tin Vuong of Little Sister, Ian Gresik of The Arbour and Holly Jivin of The Bazaar.
DOWNTOWN: Grand Avenue & 1st Street
General Admission | 7:00 p.m. entry: $175.00
VIP Admission | 6:30 p.m. entry: $225.00
HEAT ON THE STREET
Friday, August 24, 2018, 7 P.M. – 10 P.M.
Replacing the traditional Asian-themed Night Market, this new fiesta, hosted by Robert Irvine, Susan Feniger, Mary Sue Milliken, and Aarón Sánchez, will feature Latin flavors with dishes like ceviche, and tacos, paired with cervezas and tequila, along with the traditional wine. Participating chefs include Brian Malarkey of Herb and Wood in San Diego, Jimmy Shaw of the Loteria Grill, John Cox of The Bear and Star in Los Olivos, Mark Kiffin of Santa Fe’s The Compound Restaurant, and Nyesha Arrington of Eat Native LA.
DOWNTOWN: Grand Avenue & 1st Street
General Admission | 7:00 p.m. entry: $150.00
VIP Admission | 6:30 p.m. entry: $195.00
LEXUS GRAND TASTING SATURDAY
Saturday, August 25, 2018 12 Noon – 3 P.M.
Both of the Grand Tastings will be taking place on the Westside, at Santa Monica Airport in the popular event space, The Barker Hangar. You will have a chance to meet and take pictures with the event’s hosts, Curtis Stone, Lexus Culinary Master Michelle Bernstein, and Alex Seidel. This casual afternoon strolling event offers more than 200 wines, plus tastes from over 25 chefs, including Brendan Collins of Wilshire Restaurant, Timothy Hollingsworth of Otium, Mark Kiffin of Santa Fe’s Compound Restaurant, Mark Mollica of La Vecchi Cucina, Chris Santos and John Tesar. And if you are an Instagrammer, the daytime Grand Tastings will have the best light.
SANTA MONICA: Barker Hangar General Admission | 12:00 p.m. entry: $175.00
VIP Admission | 11:30 a.m. entry: $225.00
SATURDAY LIVE ON GRAND AVE
Saturday, August 25, 2018 – 7 P.M. – 10 P.M.
If you can only make it to one of these events, this is the one not to miss. Also, if you pronounce the word “party” like “paaartaaay,” this is the event for you. Hosted by celebrity Chef Curtis Stone (Gwen, Maude) and actress Tiffani Thiessen, the chefs seriously bring it for the last of the big night-time marquee events. Enjoy small plates from chefs like Dakota Weiss of Sweetfin Poke, Ricardo Zarate of Once, Adam Sobel of Cal Mare, Vartan Abgaryan of 71Above, David Lefevre of MB Post, Fishing with Dynamite and The Arthur J, Brian Malarkey of San Diego’s Herb and Wood and Kyle Johnson of Bourbon Steak. Oh, and Joe Sasto, he of the barbershop moustache from last season’s Top Chef. Guests tend to dress very elegant and are usually more interested in the champagne and cocktails than the food as this event progresses. With Special Guest DJ Questlove spinning, get ready to dance the night away.
DOWNTOWN: Grand Avenue & 1st Street
General Admission | 7:00 p.m. entry: $195.00
VIP Admission | 6:30 p.m. entry: $250.00
LEXUS GRAND TASTING SUNDAY
Sunday, August 26, 2018 12 noon – 3 P.M.
As with the Saturday Grand Tasting, Sunday’s event will be taking place on the Westside, at Santa Monica Airport in the popular event space, The Barker Hangar. Hosted by Curtis Stone, Michelle Bernstein, and Alex Seidel. This casual afternoon strolling event offers more than 200 wines, plus tastes from over 25 chefs, including John Cox of The Bear and Star in Los Olivos, Jason Fullilove of Barbara Jean LA and his new project, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, plus Michael Ginor of Hudson Valley Foie Gras. Last year Michael Ginor made adorable and addictive little foie gras tarts, so I’m very excited to see what he whips up this year!
SANTA MONICA: Barker Hangar
General Admission | 12:00 p.m. entry: $175.00
VIP Admission | 11:30 a.m. entry: $225.00
LUNCH AND DINNER SERIES
Our recommendations:
Dinner at Big Boi with Chef Barb Batiste and Alvin Cailan
Wednesday, August 22, 2018, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
One of two kickoff dinners, Big Boi on the Westside will be serving Filipino dishes created by Barb Batiste (B Sweet) and Alvin Cailan’s (Eggslut). 30 guests will enjoy the old friends’ special meal, and be entered in a raffle for two round trip tickets to the Philippines, a culinary tour for two and a hotel stay from The Philippine Tourism Office. ($150)
Power Lunch at Rossoblu with Chefs Steve Samson & Alex Seidel
Friday, August 24, 2018, 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Chef Steve Samson’s restaurant, Rossoblu has made a name for itself with unparalleled pastas and Italian dumplings from the chef’s hometown of Bologna, Italy. He will be joined by Alex Seidel from Denver, Colorado, to present “what is sure to be a more than memorable lunch.” ($125)
Power Lunch at DAMA with Chefs Antonia Lofaso and Aarón Sánchez
Friday, August 24, 2018, 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
DAMA, a new Latin American restaurant from Chef Antonia Lofaso of Black Market Liquor Bar and Scopa Italian Roots is located at City Market South in Downtown’s fashion district. Join her and celebrity chef Aarón Sánchez for a four-course lunch. ($125.00)
LAFW is ready to show off the best locations in LA and the best chefs from around the country. So shine your dancing shoes and whet your appetite for a week of events you won’t soon forget!
LAFW Grand Tasting (Photo by Bob lee)
