FOOD & WINE Magazine hosts its first Taste of Beverly Hills this weekend, featuring cooking demonstrations from some of the country’s most celebrated chefs, restaurant tastings, wine and mixology seminars, live musical performances, and appearances from top culinary personalities like Top Chef 6 winner, Michael Voltaggio and Chef Ludo Lefebvre of Ludo Bites.
Nancy Silverton's caprese was a hit with guests of Taste of Beverly Hills.
Firework Launch
Numerous U.S. and International wines to sample.
The four day event launched with a splash as the city of Beverly Hills celebrated its famed zip code, 90210 on September 2, 2010, with an event headlined by international pop sensation and Grammy nominee Natasha Bedingfield, along with CNN Talk Show host Larry King as master of ceremonies. Over four hundred VIP guests from the Kardashians to the Mayor of Beverly Hills were served unlimited bites from renowned Beverly Hills restaurants and chefs like Nic’s, Cabbage Patch, and Mr. Chow’s. Wolfgang Puck of Spago and Cut Beverly Hills also made a special appearance and shared some laughs with the Mayor.
Theme of the Day
Each day is centered on a different theme – Friday’s was the “Art of Mixing”, Saturday’s is “Date Night” and Sunday’s is “Art of Brunch” in the morning session and “BBQ in the Hills” in the evening. For example, on Friday night in honor of the “Art of Mixing”, SLS Hotel’s legendary mixologists were demonstrating how to make their famed nitrogen margaritas.
Pinky Vodka infused with rose and grapefruit makes a cosmo much more delightful!
Award-Winning Restaurants
Each day is a completely unique food and wine experience as the ‘menu’ changes. Different top-rated LA restaurants are featured each day or night so you can sample a variety of mouth-watering appetizers throughout the festival. From Mozza’s delicious burrata-pesto salad to Sushi Roku’s ahi tuna sashimi to Guelaguetza’s chicken tamales to Tasting Kitchen’s beet salad – the cuisine is representational of LA’s diverse culture and ethnicities.
Celebratory Ambience
The mood of the event is light and attendees, whether sampling a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Gramercy Cellars of Washington, munching on the newsworthy Nickel Diner maple-bacon donuts, watching a cooking demo by the Peninsula Beverly Hills’ executive chef or dancing to the tunes spun by KCRW’s Jason Bentley, fill the sparkling white-tent event with a sense of contentment and joy de vivre. But then, who can resist all you can eat and drink from over 50 restaurants, wineries and spirit makers?
Outstanding Musical Line-up
Musically, it is as diverse as the cuisine. On Thursday night, the pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield, gave an incredible concert with her band and Friday night, a free jazz ensemble rocked the house with their 8-piece band. Saturday night features Fitz & The Tantrums and Brent Bolthouse.
A free jazz ensemble, one of KCRW Jason Bentley's choice picks for the night.
Must-see Labor Day Event
This event is truly one to be explored and there is still time to get your tickets. Here are some upcoming events for tonight: Saturday, September 4, 2010 and the last day, Sunday, September 5, 2010.
Saturday, September 4th PM Highlights:
Delphine serves capered swordfish and Calvados caramel rice pudding.
Date Night
7:00pm – 11:00pm
Enjoy a beautiful evening of food, wine and entertainment with a significant other or friends, while partaking in some of the city’s top restaurants and their signature entrees. Spend one-on-one time with industry experts and delve into a beautiful variety of wines, showcasing vintners top wines, but also pouring some everyday selections.
* Live cooking demonstrations from favorite regional chefs
* Grand Tasting featuring 40+ hand-selected restaurants
* Wine sessions from Master Sommeliers, wine educators and winery owners
* Ludo Lefebvre – Cooking Demonstration Time: 7:30pm
* Tim Love- Cooking Demonstration Time: 8:30pm
Sunday, September 5th AM Highlights:
The Art of Brunch
10:00am – 3:00pm
No one does brunch like LA. Avoid the hour-and-a-half waits and come partake in an unparalleled brunch experience. LA’s finest brunch hot spots will be serving up each of their signature dishes along side free-flowing Bloody Marys, Bellinis and Mimosas.
* Live “Gospel Brunch” performance (modern interpretation)
* Brunch specialty drinks (i.e. Bloody Mary Bar, Mimosas and Belinis)
* Grand Tasting featuring 40+ hand-selected restaurants * Wine sessions from Master Sommeliers, wine educators and winery owners
* KCRW Pie Contest hosted by Evan Kleiman
* Live cooking demonstrations from favorite regional chefs
* Beer, wine & cocktail tastings
* LA’s best DJs
Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone’s rockstar wine
Sunday afternoon at the Chateau will feature Sommelier Belinda Chang who helms the wine program at NYC’s The Modern, Danny Meyer’s restaurant at MoMA. Come learn all about Chateauneuf as Belinda guides you through this land of 13 phenomenal grapes which combine to make the Rhone Valley’s rockstar blend. Don’t miss her trademark wine rap – you’ll be singing along in no time. (Admission is first-come, first-served for this event; doors open at 1:30 pm on Sunday.)
To purchase your tickets or to view more schedule highlights of the remaining Food & Wine Taste of Beverly Hills, click Taste of Beverly Hills.
