Experience the ultimate food celebration at the LA Times Food Bowl Festival 2024

The Los Angeles Times has unveiled the details for its highly anticipated 8th Annual Food Bowl Festival, a grand celebration of Southern California’s vibrant food scene. Presented by City National Bank, this three-day event will take place from September 20 to 22 at the iconic Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot. The festival promises to be a culinary extravaganza, featuring tastings from 40 restaurants, libations from wineries, breweries, and distilleries, cookbook signings, demonstrations by culinary personalities, and DJ sets.

Event Highlights and Schedule

The Food Bowl Festival will kick off on Friday, September 20, from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with early entry at 7:00 p.m. The opening night will feature a special awards presentation by the Times Food team, honoring the Times Restaurant of the Year, Baroo, and the Gold Award winner, Mariscos Jalisco. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy bites from Baroo and Mariscos Jalisco, with exclusive samplings available for VIP guests. The Times Food Stage will host demonstrations and cookbook signings by renowned chefs and social media food stars, including Josh Scherer and Tue Nguyen.

Participating restaurants on Friday night include:
– Amiga Amore
– Azizam
– Baroo
– Cento
– East Side Cheesecakes
– Evil Cooks
– Hatchet Hall
– Holey Grail Donuts
– HomeState
– III Mas Bakery Deli
– Jitlada
– Luv2eat Thai Bistro
– Mariscos Jalisco
– Meteora (VIP lounge only)
– Mírate
– Perilla LA
– Rita’s Deluxe
– Saucy Chick Goat Mafia
– SoulPhil
– Spoon & Pork
– Wife the Somm

On Saturday, September 21, the festivities will continue from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with early entry at 6:00 p.m. This night will feature unlimited tastings from 40 restaurants, along with demonstrations and cookbook signings by stars such as Tamron Hall, Lish Steiling, and Owen Han.

Participating restaurants on Saturday night include:
– 626 Hospitality Group
– Baroo
– Bar Chelou
– Budonoki Mini Kabob
– Burritos La Palma
– Cobi’s
– Donna’s
– Evil Cooks
– Heng Heng Chicken Rice
– Jeff’s Table
– Lei’d Cookies
– Luv2eat Thai Bistro
– OyBar
– Ponchos Tlayudas
– Saucy Chick Goat Mafia
– Steep LA
– The Brothers Sushi
– Trophies Burger Club
– Wanderlust Creamery

The festival will conclude on Sunday, September 22, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with early entry at 11:00 a.m. The finale will feature afternoon tastings, music, live demonstrations, and cookbook signings by chefs Nancy Silverton, Sara Kramer, and Sarah Hymanson.

Participating restaurants on Sunday include:
– Baroo
– Ceci’s Gastronomia
– CUT Beverly Hills
– Damian
– DOMESTIC
– Evil Cooks
– Hamasaku
– Lustig
– Maison Matho
– OyBar
– Petit Trois
– Pop’s Bagels
– Steep LA
– Stir Crazy
– The Brothers Sushi

Additional Events and Details

The Food Bowl Festival will also feature a series of themed events, including the Food Bowl Launch Party at Lemon Grove Aster rooftop on September 6 at 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by Singapore Airlines, this opening night event will offer all-inclusive food and drink tastings from local and international guest chefs. Tickets for this event are available at lafoodbowl.com.

Other notable events include:
– Gold Award Dinner with Park’s BBQ on September 12 at 6:00 p.m.
– Restaurant of the Year Dinner with Holbox on September 13 at 7:00 p.m.
– Night Market at Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot from September 22 to 24, featuring tastings from 120 restaurants, live cooking demonstrations, and DJ sets.

The Food Bowl’s charity partner is the L.A. Regional Food Bank, and a portion of the proceeds from the festival will support their efforts to combat hunger in the community. Tickets for all events are available at lafoodbowl.com, with options for general admission, VIP, and weekend passes.

Our Advice on the City

For those planning to attend the Food Bowl Festival, we recommend arriving early to make the most of the exclusive samplings and demonstrations. The festival offers a unique opportunity to experience the best of Los Angeles’ culinary scene, so be sure to explore the diverse range of participating restaurants and engage with the chefs and culinary personalities.

For occasional travelers, consider extending your stay in Los Angeles to explore the city’s rich cultural and culinary offerings beyond the festival. Visit iconic landmarks such as the Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For food enthusiasts, a visit to the Grand Central Market or a food tour of the diverse neighborhoods, such as Koreatown and Little Tokyo, is a must.

For expert travelers, delve deeper into the local food culture by seeking out hidden gems and lesser-known eateries. Los Angeles is home to a thriving food truck scene, offering a variety of cuisines from around the world. Additionally, consider attending other food-related events and festivals happening in the city throughout the year to further enrich your culinary journey.

In conclusion, the LA Times Food Bowl Festival is a celebration of the vibrant and diverse food culture of Los Angeles. Whether you are a local or a visitor, this event offers a unique opportunity to indulge in the best culinary experiences the city has to offer. Enjoy the festival, and happy tasting!