Los Angeles Ultimate Food Festival

Beware foodies: this post may cause excessive drooling (keep your electronic devices safe!).

Actually, I am not sure why I am referring to foodies.

I believe most of us have a debility for food, enjoy discussing different food aspects and are not indifferent to appealing food photography (even though we all have a Facebook or Instagram friend who invalidates the entire purpose of posting food photos).

So, if you are a fan of the epicurean world, events like the Los Angeles Ultimate Food Festival can help you to go beyond your culinary limits.

The four-day event showcases the fine food culture throughout Los Angeles and the country.  This is an opportunity to get a sample of the food cooked by some of the industry biggest influencers and talents.

With food festivals popping here and there at the speed of light, you may think this is just another event where unlimited food is served.

After attending several food events (legitimate ones and wannabes), the Los Angeles Ultimate Food Festival stands as a different concept.  A lot of these festivals intend to position a destination as a gastronomic haven, benefit a charity or promote restaurants in a specific area.

Now, Los Angeles does not need a lot of help in the positioning realm (yes, we have amazing food in here). I believe that is why this festival makes a lot of emphasis on the chef’s plating the food.  You really feel like you are eating from some of the best guys in the industry (the bigger than life posters of the chefs above their stations added the Hollywoodesque touch to the event).

On top of that, a lot of importance is given to the platting, ingredient, and technique. Yes, there was a lot of play with liquid nitrogen.

But, everything comes down to the taste.  And, the festival delivered in that aspect too.  There were so many heavenly flavors out there.  Plus, the anticipation of tasting a delicious morsel made me adventurous.  There were things I have not had the courage to taste under other conditions.

Well, let’s forget about the writing and get into some visuals.

Los Angeles Ultimate Food Festival: Grand Tasting

The entire festival was composed of about 25 events where 200+ chefs demonstrated their talent.  The Grand Tastings (sponsored by Lexus, Celebrity Cruises, Chase Sapphire, Delta and others) took place during the two last days of the festival.

Here is a look at the Saturday event.

Deviled quail egg

Puff pastry

Caramelized radish salad

Smoked salmon roe

Tabasco remoulade

Frisee & fresh horseradish

Chef Joe Vasiloff

 

Fresh garganelli pasta

Porchetta sugo

Salsa verde

Pecorino & black pepper

Chef Fabio Viviani

 

Salpico D’Orxata

Yellowtail

Octopus cocktail

Marinated in xufa milk

Chef Perfecto Rocher

 

Grilled grape & fog tartine

House-made country boule

Fresh Burrata

Vincotto

Chef Jeff Mahini

 

Organic pork meatballs

Lardo

Oregano

Parmesan cheese

Chef Jeff Mahini

 

Corn panna cotta

Vadouvan

Uni & rye

Chef Vartan Abgaryan

 

Vietnamese beef brisket

With Rau Ram

Chef David Lefevre

 

Street tacos made with

Smoked pork

Roast corn relish

Avocado cream

Cotija cheese

Chef Anthony Meidenbauer

 

Scallop crudo

Made with lemon, calabrian chili,

Mollica di maiale

 

Ora King Salmon Crudo

Chef Brad Farmerie

 

Homemade ricotta affumicata

Capuccio verde marinato con mele

Mostarda de Vicenza

Chef Gianfranco Minuz

 

Shrimp & Grits

Rock Shrimp

Andouille sausage

Cheddar cheese

Chef Levi Mezick

 

California sea bass crudo

Meyer lemon relish

Puffed rice

Espelette pepper

Chef Jason Fullilove

 

Carne asada crudo

Chef Richard Blais

 

Mussels

Coconut-green curry

Sausage

Cilantro

Chef Peter Haller

 

Spanish Octopus

Fairytale eggplant

Cranberry beans

Heirloom tomato

Padron Vinaigrette

Chef Greg Hozinsky

 

Braised pork belly crostini

Pickled vegetables

Fresh horseradish

Chef Bernhard Mairinger

 

Hamachi sashimi

Liquid nitrogen compressed watermelon

White soy & lime salt

Chef Steven Fretz

 

Food from Badmaash

Chef Pawan Mahendro

 

Sponsors

The main sponsors set up their own lounges, ‘cafes’ and ‘restaurants’ in the middle of the event.

Celebrity Cruises

The cruise line invited attendees to sit down at their Modern Luxury Lounge and sample one of two signature gin cocktails at the Celebrity Cruises Bar: Silver Peach Lemonade and Elderflower Blush. Celebrity Cruises also featured exciting promotions, popular take-home swag, giveaways, and brochures.

 

Lexus

The car company went with an ‘al fresco’ concept.  Their lounge area felt outdoors.  There was an opportunity to check out their modern line of cars while waiters served you small bites.

 

Delta

The airline had a set up resembling a Mexican restaurant (because they were giving away a trip to Mexico).  There were ample sitting space and samples were served.

Chase Sapphire

Holders of this specific credit card had access to an exclusive lounge serving food from Chef Michael Voltaggio.

Summary

If you enjoy food, this event is the right place for you. I can say this festival expanded my culinary wings and gave me a desire to continue exploring the gastronomic universe.

Have you experienced the Los Angeles Ultimate Food Festival?

Disclosure: I attended the Los Angeles Ultimate Food Festival with a media pass.  However, all the opinions expressed here, as always, are my own.