Foodies and wine connoisseurs alike will travel to Los Angeles this Labor Day weekend for the inaugural Los Angeles Times Celebration of Food & Wine.  The festival will take place at the Paramount Pictures Studio back lot where food editors and writers, wine veterans, award-winning restaurateurs, and celebrity chefs will gather to present cooking demonstrations, tastings, pairings, and more.   Several accomplished LA chefs are set to make appearances including Mark Peel of Campanile and The Tar Pit, Suzanne Goin of AOC and The Hungry Cat, and Jon Shook and Vinny Dotlo of Animal Restaurant.  The Food & Wine Celebration will be a special treat for fans of the Top Chef series, as winners and contestants including Micheal Votaggio, Betty Fraser, and Chris “CJ” Jacobsen from past seasons are all scheduled to present their takes on everyday classics. 

Being that the celebration will be held in Los Angeles, the food festival simply would not do the city justice without acknowledging its recent food truck trend.  With trucks representing every cuisine and interpretation of food possible including Chinese/Mexican fusion, and twists on classic breakfast fare, guests can expect a wide variety of tastings.  In addition to the trucks, over 100 local and international food and beverage exhibitors are expected to showcase their goods to the public. 

For those who find cocktails more interesting than the latest culinary trends, the festival invites several experienced sommeliers and innovative mixologists to ensure that you will enjoy your visit as much as the epicureans in attendance.   Hundreds of the finest brews and spirits will also be available for beer fanatics to enjoy throughout the event. 

If you find yourself on a tour of Los Angeles during Labor Day weekend, make sure you visit The Los Angeles Times Celebration of Food & Wine for a truly satisfying vacation.