Food May Be The Music: Masters of Taste 2018

REASON   The 3rd Annual Masters of Taste returned to the Pasadena Rose Bowl gathering many of L.A.’s top taste makers together to raise funds for the philanthropic efforts of Union Station Homeless Services, on May 6th.

REVELERS   Chef Christina Xenos, Chef Clause Beltran, Chef Michael Hung, Chef Atsushi Kenjo, Nick Cacarnakis, Hazel Perera, Rob & Leslie Levy, Vanessa Bastian, Rhea Corono, Alastair & Jennifer Boase, 1886 Bar at The Raymond, Bacchus Kitchen, Celestino, Crème Caramel L.A., Hitching Post Wines, Kyoto Distillery, MacLeod Ale, Smirnoff, Sunset & Vinyl, True Food Kitchen, World of Empanadas, and Zooies, among many others.

RECAP   The festivities kicked off with a VIP Hour for die hard foodies to sample all of the wonderful offerings ahead of the crowds. At the end zones of the field, Chefs Christina Xenos and Michael Hung each presented their own cooking classes for VIPs, while at the other end in a private pop-up kitchen lounge Wolfgang Puck hosted a VIP Experience featuring a four-course menu with wine parings.

Highlights from the various and plentiful palate pleasures, included the Snap Pea & Caviar with Seasame Creme Fraiche served in a pea pod and the Rib Cap with Papaya & Kroeung at the Wolfgang Puck Experience, Zooies’ chocolate chip and birthday cake cookies, the Garbanzo Chicken Empanada from World of Empanadas, The Laughing Scapegoat from MacLeod Ale, the Bacchus Kitchen Watermelon Poke Salad, Celestino’s Raviolini Stuffed with Burrata drizzled with Red Beet Sauce, Redbird’s Hiramasa Tartare with Calamansi Vinegar & Shrimp Chip, Wax Paper’s Deviled Turkey Salad Sandwich & Green Garlic Gazpacho, Bourbon Steak’s Pad Thai Calamari, and the Hitching Post Pinot Noir Cork Dancer 2015.

All the deliciousness unfolded to the sounds of Hey Mister DJ, who has set the mood with music for all the three years of the event. And thanks to all who attended, sponsored and/or participated Masters of Taste was able to exceed their 2018 goal by raising over $500,000 to directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services. For more information, visit unionstationhs.org.