Wowza! All the full-sized cocktails to tantalize any happy imbiber, paired with wine, beer and the most incredible food from LA’s best restaurants all while walking on the field of the Rose Bowl? Yep, add in complimentary massages in the VIP lounges, plenty of seating on the “infield” and every vendor dedicated to provide the best they have to offer, all to benefit the Union Station Homeless Services. Read on, and/or watch my 3-minute YouTube slideshow.
First, here’s the teaser:
The Invite
Masters of Taste, a luxury food and beverage festival, will take place on April 3, 2016 –rain or shine– on the field of the Historic Pasadena Rose Bowl. All proceeds will benefit Union Station Homeless Services.
Guests will walk the field of the Rose Bowl to discover LA’s finest fare including 40 restaurants & 25 breweries, wineries, and spirits. Tiered ticketing will offer VIP’s and sponsors a premier experience, with private lounge seating and concierge dining service.
Master chefs, vintners, mixologists and brewers will be curated with the help of seasoned event producer Dennis Richardson (Taste LA, Taste Beverly Hills, and Wolfgang Puck Catering) and restaurant owner and businessman Rob Levy (The Raymond 1886, HomeStreet Bank).
A full listing of The Masters (I couldn’t get to them all!)
Food: http://mastersoftastela.com/the-masters/food
Drinks: http://mastersoftastela.com/drinks
Sweets: http://mastersoftastela.com/lifestyle
My Favorites
As soon as we started to descend from the bleachers onto the cool AstroTurf of the playing field I knew we were in for a real treat. Vendors circled the entire field, two large lounges marked the end zones, and on the field itself was innovative seating for all.
As I made my rounds (at least three times) and snapped photos for you, I enjoyed a little me time with these vendors:
Two different milk-based cocktails, one with rum and one with bourbon, from Nighthawk Breakfast Bar.
Crispy Pork Belly, Crostini with Fava Bean and Radish from BierBeisl.
Dark chocolate toffee from Alique Toffee Company.
A coconut Citrus Salad from Toca Madera.
The wine line up from Vinemark Cellars, Ascension Cellars, Four Brix, Spin the Bottle Wine Studio and Anglim. (Sorry to have missed some others though!)
Compressed Pork Shoulder with Andouille, Braised White Beans and Pickled Onion served up from Noor.
Refreshing Margaritas at Sol Cocina made with Des Madre tequila.
A killer tuna presented by Pasadena’s The Osawa.
Hyde Sunset made a Braised Beef Cheek with Pea and Sunchoke Puree, Crispy Shallots and Pea Vines.
My new favorite sipping Whiskey, no water needed, is now Kikori. Wonderful in both an Old Fashioned and, best drink of the day, the Blood Orange Sour.
Birch made a great foie gras and pâte dish with crostini for dipping, expertly served up by Chef Brendan Collins, and it was my favorite bite of the day.
The Hooch APP table, for an outstanding cocktail made with ginger beer and Brugal rum.
Sliders form Hache LA seemed to be a favorite for many.
The “Green Arrow” dink from Demitasse Coffee Roasters with Vermouth, muddled mint, Kyoto iced coffee and honey cream. Both a pick-me-up and dessert!
Chef Claud Beltran kept his line moving from Claud and Co. and Bacchus’ Kitchen and Eatery.
The perfect cocktails crafted by the experienced bartenders from Alexander’s Steakhouse Pasadena and The Raymond 1886 in the VIP areas.
Meeting the talented mixologist-gone-rogue Adam Seger of Balsam Spirits and trying his drinks made with Amaro and Shrub.
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
