Makin' it with Maren: Love Happy Hour - LA Times' The Taste LA 2012

by Maren Swanson

August 28th, 2012

This upcoming Labor Day weekend forecasts no shortage of foodie fun, which is why this year's The Taste is the perfect opportunity to step into three days of delicious drinking and eating. Held at Paramount Studios on Melrose, the LA Times hosts one of the hottest annual culinary events in Southern California featuring events that include cooking demonstrations, endless tastings and seminars from top chefs and mixologists.

Panelists include Thomas Keller (Bouchon, The French Laundry), Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza), Susan Feniger (Street) and many more. Attendees can choose from 5 different events: Field to Fork, Cocktail Confidential (with fellow friend Hallie Beaune, The Beer Chicks), Flavors of L.A., Dinner & Drinks and Labor Day Picnic. All events are 21+ excpect for the Labor Day Picnic which is open to all ages. Tickets will cost you $65 in advance and $75 at the door. A portion of proceeds from this year's event will benefit benefit Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona and the Los Angeles Times Family Fund's Summer Camp Campaign.

Saturday, September 1
FIELD TO FORK | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Hosts: Times Food Editor Russ Parsons & Chef Ray Garcia (FIG)
Cooking demos: Ray Garcia, David LeFevre (M.B. Post), Roxana Jullapat (Cooks County), Nyesha Arrington (Wilshire), Jason Kim (Forage)
Panels & seminars: "State of the Farmer's Market," "How to Taste Wine Like a Master Sommelier," "Everyday Bordeaux"

COCKTAIL CONFIDENTIAL | 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Hosts: Times Food & Night Life Writer Jessica Gelt & mixologist Julian Cox (Rivera, Playa)
Mixology demos: Tricia Alley, Alex Day
Mix-off challenge: Jaymee Mandeville (Drago Centro), Nathan Oliver (The Vagrancy Project), Paul Sanguinetti (Ray's and Stark Bar), Brian Summers (Parish), Marcos Tello (Feed), Damian Windsor (Roger Room)

Sunday, September 2
FLAVORS OF L.A. | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Hosts: Times Restaurant Critic Jonathan Gold & chef, author & host of KCRW's "Good Food" Evan Kleiman
Cooking demos: Susan Feniger (STREET), Ludo Lefebvre (LudoBites), Kris Yenbamroong (NIGHT + MARKET), Ricardo Zarate (Picca)
Panels & seminars: "The L.A. Food Scene," "Authentic Flavors of Mexico," "Sake 101," and Cline Cellars

DINNER & DRINKS | 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Hosts: Times Deputy Food Editor Betty Hallock & "The Beer Chicks," Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune
Cocktail demos: The Beer Chicks, Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstarck (The Cooking Channel), Tricia Alley

Monday, September 3
LABOR DAY PICNIC PRESENTED BY TARGET | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Hosts: Times Test Kitchen Director Noelle Carter & Zoe Nathan (Huckleberry, Milo & Olive)
Cooking demos: Zoe Nathan, Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza), Judy Han (Mendocino Farms), Steve Lopez's Firehouse Cookoff
Panels & seminars: Thomas Keller (Bouchon, The French Laundry), roundtable with winners of this year's Battle of the Burgers, "Wine Lists & How They Are Created," "A Tour of California Appellations"