Greer's OC

The much-anticipated Los Angeles Times’ The Taste annual food event is returning to Paramount Pictures Studios on September 1^st - September 3^rd with weekend-long programming designed to celebrate L.A.’s food and dining scene,

Hosted by The Times’ editorial staff and acclaimed L.A. chefs and bartenders, The Taste will transform Paramount Pictures Studios into the ultimate epicurean pop-up and block party over Labor Day weekend. Admission to each of the five events includes unlimited tastings from the city’s best kitchens and a variety of wine, beer and seasonal cocktails. Chef highlights from the event include Sang Yoon, Jonathan Yao, Antonia Lofaso, Adam Gertler, Johnny Lee and more.

OPENING NIGHT – Friday, Sept. 1 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The Taste’s most intimate soiree features a focused collection of tastings, distinctive cocktail and wine offerings, and a chance to party on the backlot with The Times’ hosts and the weekend’s participating chefs and mixologists. Restaurants include Baran’s 2239, Bourbon Steak, Chinese Laundry, Crying Tiger, Fat Dragon, Georgie, Hatchet Hall, Kali, Lao Tao, Little Fatty, Mainland Poke, Scratch Bar & Kitchen, Side Chick, Simone, Tabula Rasa Bar and Tar & Roses.

FIELD TO FORK – Saturday, Sept. 2 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Hosted by Amy Scattergood, Times Food Editor, and Sang Yoon, Chef/Owner of Father’s Office and Lukshon

Inspired by Southern California’s agricultural roots and DIY attitude, Sang Yoon (Lukshon/Father’s Office) and Miles Thompson (Michael’s) will each share their farmers market savvy through individual cooking demos using their favorite bright and flavorful ingredients. Amy Scattergood will lead a discussion about the importance of farms and eating local with Romeo Coleman (Coleman Family Farms), Alex Weiser (Weiser Family Farms) and Wes Whitsell (Manuela). Enjoy tastes from Aqui es Texcoco, Banh Oui, Cento Pasta Bar, Coni’Seafood, Cruciferous, M Café, Maury’s Bagels, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Robert’s Catering Service, The Wallace, VCHOS Pupuseria Moderna and more.

FIELD TO FORK GREEN ROOM UPGRADE – Saturday, Sept. 2 – Sunday, Sept. 3 from noon to 3 p.m.

Ticket holders can take their experiences at Field to Fork to the next level with a Green Room upgrade, which includes: free on-lot parking within the gates of Paramount Pictures lot (vs $13 parking structure parking), access throughout the event and to the Green Room, including these features not available in the general event: Special interactive experience from host Amy Scattergood and co-host Sang Yoon, “Secret Cellar” wine tasting experience featuring quality wines selection not present in the general event, unique bites and furnished lounge seating/cooling area .

DINNER WITH A TWIST – Saturday, Sept. 2 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, Jenn Harris, Times Deputy Food Editor, Antonia Lofaso, Chef/Owner of Scopa Italian Roots and Black Market Liquor Bar, and Marco A. Ramos, Mixologist at Scopa Italian Roots

L.A.’s dining and cocktail culture takes the stage with a chef-bartender demo by Lofaso and Ramos, and by Allan Katz and Jonathan Whitener (Here’s Looking At You), Breana Jackson (Sugar & Spice: Baked by Bre), Danielle Bennett (Lady on the Rocks), Derrick Lewis (Not Your Mama’s Kitchen) and Chef E Dubble (E Dubble Catering/Grilled Fraiche) will celebrate urban gastronomy with a collaborative showcase of their signature concoctions, and Meredith Hayman (Michael’s), Gabriella Mlynarczyk (Accomplice Bar) and Brynn Smith (Sotto) will shake it up with a group demo. You’ll enjoy innovative tastes from the city’s best restaurants, plus fine wines, beers and, of course, handcrafted cocktails. Restaurants include Barrel & Ashes, Beauty & Essex, Black Market Liquor Bar, Faith & Flower, Mayura Indian Restaurant, Pedalers Fork, Scopa Italian Roots, Szechuan Impression, The Bellwether, The Ponte, Wolf and more.

DINNER WITH A TWIST GREEN ROOM UPGRADE – Saturday, Sept. 2 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Ticket holders can take their experiences at Dinner With A Twist to the next level with a Green Room upgrade, which includes: free on-lot parking within the gates of Paramount Pictures lot (vs $13 parking structure parking), access throughout the event and to the Green Room, including these features not available in the general event: Special interactive experience from hosts Jonathan Gold and Jenn Harris and co-hosts Antonia Lofaso & Marco A. Ramos, specialty cocktail not present in the general event, unique bites, furnished lounge seating/cooling area.

SUNDAY BLOCK PARTY – Sunday, Sept. 3 from 12 to 3 p.m.)

Hosted by Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, and Sherry Yard, Chef/Owner of Tuck Room TavernGreat food and good times are the order of the day at the block party on the backlot, where Yard will demystify pastry-baking for home cooks and David LeFevre (Manhattan Beach Post) will give a master class on making biscuits. Noelle Carter will host a talk with Chris Phelps (Salt’s Cure) about what it means to brunch at some of the most innovative spots around town, with additional panelists to be announced. Restaurants include Cheezus, Cocobella Creamery, Dog Haus, E.A.K. Ramen, Hotville Chicken & Chops, Hummus Yummy Food Truck, MessHall, Otium, Rosaliné, The Butcher’s Daughter, Tuck Room Tavern and more.

SUNDAY BLOCK PARTY GREEN ROOM UPGRADE – Sunday, Sept. 3 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.)

Ticket holders can take their experiences at Sunday Block Party to the next level with a Green Room upgrade, which includes: free on-lot parking within the gates of Paramount Pictures lot (vs $13 parking structure parking), access throughout the event and to the Green Room, including these features not available in the general event: Special interactive experience from host Noelle Carter and co-host Sherry Yard, “Secret Cellar” wine tasting experience featuring quality wines selection not present in the general event, unique bites, furnished lounge seating/cooling area.

FLAVORS OF L.A. – Sunday, Sept. 3 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, and Gilberto Cetina Jr., Chef/Owner of Chichen Itza and Holbox

Closing night of The Taste embraces the depth and diversity of flavors that make Los Angeles one of the most exciting places to dine through demos by Cetina, Wes Avila (Guerrilla Tacos) and the team behind Badmaash: Pawan, Nakul and Arjun Mahendro. Gold will explore Korean barbecue with masters of the grill: Jenee Kim (Park’s Barbeque) and Chris Oh (Seoul Sausage Co.). Restaurants include Chichen Itza, Frankland’s Crab & Co., Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Holbox, Luv2eat Thai Bistro, Meals by Genet, Pasta Sisters, Revolutionario North African Tacos, Same Same, Worldwide Tacos and more.

FLAVORS OF L.A. GREEN ROOM UPGRADE – Sunday, Sept. 3 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Ticket holders can take their experiences at Flavors of L.A. to the next level with a Green Room upgrade, which includes: free on-lot parking within the gates of Paramount Pictures lot (vs $13 parking structure parking), access throughout the event and to the Green Room, including these features not available in the general event: Special interactive experience from host Jonathan Gold and co-host Gilberto Centina Jr., specialty cocktail not present in the general event, unique bites, furnished lounge seating/cooling area.

For a detailed description of each event and full lineup of participating chefs and restaurants, visit extras.latimes.com/taste/

Paramount Pictures Studios at 5555 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles.

TICKETS: Available at extras.latimes.com/taste/

Los Angeles Times subscribers save $25 on tickets (Saturday and Sunday only)

Opening Night Tickets (Friday) – $150

Field to Fork (Saturday) - $95

Dinner With A Twist (Saturday) - $130

Sunday Block Party (Sunday) - $95

Flavors of L.A. (Sunday) - $130

Green Room Upgrade (Prices vary per event)