Event Radar! 8 Great Summer Food Events

Jul 31, 2013

LOCAL LOS ANGELES EVENTS AND BEYOND

Summer is in full swing, but just in case you still haven’t fully gotten your festival fix, here are a few up and coming events to make sure land on your foodie radar.

Wine, food, travel? It’s all here – read on for my must-do list:

// #1. Learn About Wine’s Rosenthal Private Estate Visit: Tour, Wine Tasting & Picnic · Sat, Aug. 10th 11AM and 2:15PM

Are you a wine-o-phobe? Make sure to check out the 10th annual tasting and picnic lunch at the Private Estate of George Rosenthal, owner of one of the premier producers in the region. Wine Educator Ian Blackhurst sure knows his wine, and by the end of one of his wine classes, you will know yours too.

SESSION 1 – 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM click here // SESSION 2 – 2:15 PM – 4:15 PM click here.

Read about one of my recent experiences with Learn About Wine, here.

Or check out their Calendar of Events for a list of ongoing sessions.

// # 2. THE TASTE · Friday, Aug 30th-Sept 1st

How about sampling all of Los Angeles’ best in one place? The Taste is back again at Paramount Studios lot and this year features five distinctive events across Labor Day Weekend.

There’s an Opening Night kick-off celebration on Friday, a Flavors of L.A. event hosted by Jonathan Gold on Saturday and a Cocktail Confidential party with Matthew Biancaniello on Sunday — that’s just a few of the many TASTE events featuring unlimited tastings, specialty cocktails, wine seminars, live demos… etc. The Taste is always a fun day/night for a food lover… get tickets while you can and make sure you come hungry (and don’t forget to bring the Tums)! You will eat, and eat…

Opening Night: $125, limited availability
A 20% discount on individual tickets is available to all Los Angeles Times members
For those looking to make a weekend out of it, select area hotels are offering ticket and accommodation packages

Having a good time at 8th Annual LA Wine Festival

// #3. California Beer Festival, Frank G. Bonelli Park, San Dimas, CA · Sept. 7th

“This lake side Craft Beer festival features over 70 craft brews on tap, food trucks, live music and bikini Bocce Ball. CBF is the event of the year for any beer enthusiast. CBF’s main goal is to shine a light on the craft beer movement and celebrate great beer!”

Tickets start at $45 and include booze and entertainment. Sept. 7th 12:30-5PM

// #4. 20th Annual Los Feliz Village Street Fair · Sat, Sept. 7th 12 noon-11 PM

“Started in the early 1990’s by a few restaurant owners who wanted to thank the community for their patronage, the fair has grown into an explosion of talented local shop & restaurant owners, artists and musicians bringing their very best to attendees more diverse than most cities in the U.S.”

Walk the neighborhood and check out local musicians, dancers, circus acts and great local food. The event is family friendly and best of all, admission is FREE!

// #5. 626 Night Market · August 31st and September 1st 4 PM-1 AM

For another event on the cheap, check out 626 Night Market at the Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia, this festival touts itself as “the largest Asian night market in America.” With over 150 vendors featuring Asian street foods, merchandise, beer & spirits, live musical acts, artists, films and games. It’s a delicious – DO.

Final Event Labor Day weekend! August 31st: 4pm – 1am

Tickets are just $2-$3 and parking is FREE. Think globally, eat locally 🙂

// #6. 4th Annual BAM Festival · Sat, Oct. 5th 1-5 PM at the 18th Street Arts Center

“30+ Breweries, 3 Bands, Contemporary Art Galleries, Open Artist Studios, 4 Wineries & Gourmet Food Trucks…” Need I say more?

Check out their Facebook page for more info, here.

BONUS EVENTS!!

FAR AND NEAR – FANCY A WEEKEND GETAWAY??

// #7. Hawaii Food and Wine Festival · Sept. 1-Maui; Sept. 5-9

O’ahu, HI is just a hop, skip and jump across the Pacific Ocean (about a 4.5 hour plane ride from Cali) so for those of us looking for a weekend getaway (who wouldn’t like to be in Hawaii right about now!?) there are two festivals around Labor Day weekend to get your tummy grumbling.

This year, you’ll find local LA chefs like Nancy Silverton, Celestino Drago, Sang Yoon and Ricardo Zarate cooking up some special treats with local chef celebs (Top Chef’s Sheldon Simeon, Iron Chef Morimoto) for guests in attendance to this year’s fest.

For tickets and accommodations visit their website. (hint: I’ll be there!)

// #8. Kā’anapali Fresh · Friday & Saturday, Aug. 30th and Aug. 31st

For a more “local” Hawaii experience Kā’anapali, MAUI is holding their second annual food festival, Kā’anapali Fresh, a 2-day summer event highlighting Kā’anapali’s “grown-on-Maui” products, local farmers and chefs.

Check out their website for tickets and accommodation info. Here’s a video recap from a recent Maui festival I attended this year.