Masters Of Taste Food & Beverage Festival

This year’s Masters of Taste at the Rose Bowl will be on Sunday April 7 at the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl Stadium. This outdoor culinary experience offers ticket holders ample sampling of small plates, and glasses of beer, wine, mezcal and other beverages. It’s an opportunity to taste exciting fare from over 100 Culinary Masters and restaurants throughout the Greater Los Angeles area in one venue.

Chef Bret Thompson and ‘Pez Boss’ Lucy Thompson-Ramirez

The hosts of this fundraising event for 2024 is Chef Bret Thompson and ‘Pez Boss’ Lucy Thompson-Ramirez, who will welcome guests at the VIP Power Hour from 3 to 4 p.m. This is a good time to arrive before thousands of attendees arrive at 4 to 7 p.m.

Recently I had the opportunity to preview some of the Masters who will attend this L.A.’s premier outdoor food and beverage festivals. This is the 7th year, that 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a non-profit organization providing over 50 years of homeless services and housing for thousands of neighbors.

Here’s My Culinary Masters Recommendation Guide:

Food Masters

The hosts have two wonderful restaurants – Pez Cantina and Pez Coastal Kitchen. Chef Bret Thompson of PEZ CANTINA made a tasty Albacore Tuna Tostada that dazzled in flavor with chipotle aioli and Baja ponzu. He also made a crispy Pacific Sea Bass that was served with Meyer Lemon risotto and a seafood Bolognese sauce.

PEZ CANTINA. Photo Jill Weinlein

PEZ COASTAL KITCHEN will open in Pasadena in 2024. The diverse menu featuring sea-to-table and farm-to-table cuisine, showcasing the best of seasonal California flavors. The restaurant will highlight their expertise in curing, smoking and dry-aging meats and seafood, as well as their partnerships with local farmers and specialty producers. With a focus on creating a modern coastal dining experience.

Pez Coastal Kitchen. Photo Jill Weinlein

UCHI WEST HOLLYWOOD Chef Joel Hammond prepared a delicious Hotate No Tataki with Strawberry XO, Thai Basil, and Vermouth enhanced butter.

UCHI WEST HOLLYWOOD

CITY CLUB LOS ANGELES Executive Chef Armando served a Duck Confit Toasted made with confit duck leg  and a pepita salsa Matcha, guacamole, zucchini blossoms and Yuzu Kewpie.

City Club Los Angeles. Photo Jill Weinlein

LAVO RISTORANTE Chef Luca Maita made a Sfoglia di Ravioli with spinach, ricotta, brown butter and aged balsamic.

Spinach ravioli Lavo Ristoriante. Photo Jill Weinlein

CASA CORDOBA served a Sherry braised Spanish octopus with sliced potato, and a drizzle of lemon garlic aioli and olive oil. It was served with grilled focaccia. They also served a Casa Cordoba Sangria Rojo made with red Spanish wines and fresh fruit.

Casa Cordoba Spanish octopus. Photo Jill Weinlein

Sweet Masters 

JOY SWEETS Atti Rezaee makes fun to eat Birthday and Chocolate Cake Pops, plus light and satisfying Lemon and Passion Fruit Macarons.

Beverage Masters 

Visit this year’s premier 50-Yard-Line Cocktail Bar, select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, and  live entertainment.

EMPRESS GIN sip one of the vibrant floral Empress 1908 Gin cocktails. The brand’s two beautiful and handcrafted floral-infused expressions – Empress 1908 Indigo Gin and 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin are made with a blend of botanicals, such as juniper berries and orange peel. The Empress 1908 Indigo Gin is made with 8 different botanicals including black tea served at The Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C. The main ingredient to give this gin its all-natural indigo color is butterfly pea blossom flower.

Pretty Empress Gin cocktail

Empress 1908 Rose Gin is expertly blended with 9 botanicals, including black carrot and traditional red rose petals to provide a stunning all-natural rose hue.

Boomtown Brewery

BOOMTOWN BREWERY is located in the DTLA Arts District. They offered pours of Chavez with Coast Hazy IPA were poured with Brett Michaels Blonde, a Foeder Aged Sour Belgian-style Blonde, and a Bohemian-style Pilsner named MIC CZECH that is German engineered and an American innovation offering a grassy, fruity and biscuit flavor profile. Nose Job West Coast IPA and Bad Hombre, a classic Mexican-style lager in a can providing gentle floral and spice notes with each sip.

CRU Wine. Photo Jill Weinlein

CRU WINERY is a Central California winery that featured three wines that include a 2022 Albarino, 2021 SLH Chardonnay and a 2021 SLH Pinot Noir.

Mezcal 33. Photo Jill Weinlein

MEZCAL 33 served shots of their smokey mezcal with bites of chocolate for a delightful explosion of pleasing flavor.

Non 7 no alcohol wine-like beverage. Photo Jill Weinlein

NON 7 brought three different non-alcohol wine alternatives. The Chocolate and Coffee option contains a hint of caffeine. It was delicious and ideal for health conscious consumers, pregnant women, Sober October and Dry January.

There will be plenty of PH ALKALINE WATER for everyone to stay hydrated at the event.

Last year, Masters of Taste was a sold-out event that attracted over 3,000 guests. Get your tickets now for Masters of Taste 2024, www.MastersofTasteLA.com.