Updates on Food & Wine's Taste of Beverly Hills

There haven't been a ton of specifics surrounding Food & Wine's newest epicurean extravaganza, Taste of Beverly Hills, other than it will take place in (obviously) Beverly Hills September 2-5. However, last night Eater received a lengthy press release revealing many more exciting details, for example the whole show will unwind in a space adjacent to the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Both local and out-of-state talent is scheduled to attend, think Ludo Lefebvre (LudoBites); Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (Animal); Walter Manzke (formerly of Church & State); and Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio (The Langham). Notable imports so far include Scott Conant (Food Network’s “24 Hour Restaurant Battle," Scarpetta) and Michel Nischan (cookbook author). Of course a grand tasting is planned, there will be a shmancy LG Kitchen, and Larry King (apparently) has already confirmed an appearance.

THE FIRST ANNUAL “TASTE OF BEVERLY HILLS” PRESENTED BY FOOD & WINE COMES TO LOS ANGELES THIS SEPTEMBER

Held in the world-class city of Beverly Hills, this four-day epicurean extravaganza will bring America’s finest chefs, culinary personalities, and winemakers from throughout Los Angeles and beyond, together with award-winning musicians for an exhilarating weekend

(BEVERLY HILLS, CA; July 12, 2010)—The “Taste of Beverly Hills,” presented by FOOD & WINE—being held in the legendary playground to Hollywood stars synonymous with luxury, sophistication, and elegance—will take place 9.02.10 through 9.05.10 (September 2-5, 2010) and will be held adjacent to the prestigious Beverly Hilton Hotel.
In celebration of all things epicurean, this Los Angeles wine and food festival will span the talents of this rich and diverse city, showcasing top chefs and restaurateurs from throughout the area—including “Top Chef” season six winner Michael Voltaggio, Walter Manzke, formerly of Church & State, Ludo Lefebvre of the popular “Ludo Bites” series, and Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo of Animal—and will recognize the diversity of neighborhoods that have shaped and inspired the Los Angeles culinary scene. America’s most celebrated chefs and personalities will converge on one of the nation’s most lauded destinations for this epic Labor Day weekend. Among those in attendance will be: culinary icon Wolfgang Puck; Ted Allen, cookbook author, food journalist, and host of the Food Network series “Chopped”; Scott Conant, award-winning restaurateur, chef, and host of the Food Network’s “24 Hour Restaurant Battle”; Michel Nischan, award-winning cookbook author and a leader in the sustainable food movement; and Chef Tim Love of the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Forth Worth, TX who was featured in the July issue of FOOD & WINE, among numerous others soon to be announced. Respected experts and connoisseurs in the world of wine and spirits will also be on hand throughout the event, including leading Sommelier and Wine Director Belinda Chang who has worked at Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago, Fifth Floor (Laurent Gras) San Francisco, Rick Tramonto, and currently holds a position at The Modern in New York City.
A select group of chefs and restaurateurs have been handpicked to showcase their skills and innovative talents at this exclusive event, where 120,000 square feet of space will be transformed into the ultimate gastronomic paradise—including the LG Kitchen—attracting food and wine aficionados, celebrities, and music lovers of all ages and backgrounds. The four-day festival will commence with a very special “9.02.10 City of Beverly Hills Celebration,” honoring the city’s famous ZIP code with a picnic under the stars with the stars, including guests such as Larry King and other prominent luminaries and ambassadors, as well as live musical performances.

Weekend Events
Designed to celebrate the talents and innovators within the culinary, wine, art, music, and design worlds, guests will enjoy food, beer, wine, cocktail tastings, and chef demos within the Grand Tasting area throughout the weekend. This tasting will showcase over 50 chefs and restaurateurs, including the most sought-after experts in their fields. Curated by KCRW’s “Good Food” Host and Chef Evan Kleiman, a dynamic schedule of events will continue each day throughout the early afternoon and late into the evening, offering something for everyone. Jason Bentley, KCRW music director and host of “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” will also serve as the musical director of the festival. Event sessions, tastings, and seminars held in the Grand Tasting area throughout the weekend will include:

· “The Art of Mixing” (Friday evening)—this evening will feature the city’s top mixologists and DJs “mixing” their talents.
· “Secrets From the Kitchen and Cellar” (Saturday afternoon)—chefs and master sommeliers will showcase the tricks of their trades.
· “Taste of Something Better” Cooking Competition (Saturday afternoon)—during the competition, which is hosted by LG Electronics, three finalists will vie for the crown of “America’s Top Amateur Chef” and compete to represent the United States in the 2010 LG “Life Tastes Good” global cooking competition in Seoul, South Korea, this fall.
· “Date Night” (Saturday evening)—this will be an enjoyable evening of good food, wine, music, and one-on-one time with master sommeliers and vintners.
· “The Art of Brunch” (Sunday afternoon)—guests will enjoy free-flowing brunch cocktails, live gospel and jazz performances, a 50-foot grand table featuring the city’s finest pastries and breads, along with KCRW’s annual pie contest hosted by “Good Food” Host Evan Kleiman.


Sponsors
In addition to title sponsor FOOD & WINE, other sponsors will include LG Electronics, Stella Artois, Modern Luxury Publishing, and Beverly Hills Courier. “Taste of Beverly Hills” is being produced by Jeffrey Best of Best Events LA. Best will transform the space adjacent to the Beverly Hilton Hotel into a culinary haven, complete with signature branded events and interactive experiences. Nestled within one of the city’s busiest intersections at Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards and just blocks from famed Rodeo Drive, visitors and guests are within close proximity to acclaimed five-star and boutique hotel accommodations, world-renowned designer shops, and art galleries.

Travel/Hotel Packages
The Beverly Hilton Hotel will offer festival weekend stay packages for those looking to experience all that the event and city have to offer on Labor Day weekend. Hotel packages will range from $500 to $2,000, including:
· Amuse Bouche Package: includes a one-night stay and one-evening pass for two guests, breakfast for two, and self-parking
· Epicurious Package: includes a two-night stay, breakfast for two guests at Circa 55 each morning, a one-day and one-evening pass for two guests, and valet parking
· Connoisseur Package: includes a three-night stay, breakfast for two guests at Circa 55 each morning, two weekend passes for two guests, and valet parking
Additional area hotels offering accommodations include the Thompson Beverly Hills and its “90210” package; the Peninsula Beverly Hills’ “Peninsula Weekend Escape”; Avalon Beverly Hills’ “Taste of Oliverio”; Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel’s, “Taste of Beverly Wilshire”; Maison 140 Beverly Hills’ “Weekend Rendezvous”; and the Mosaic Hotel’s “Bed and Breakfast.”

“Taste of Beverly Hills,” presented by FOOD & WINE
The “Taste of Beverly Hills,” presented by FOOD & WINE, will benefit the Beverly Hills Education Foundation and will take place across from the Beverly Hilton Hotel September 2-5, 2010. The schedule of activities will include afternoon and evening sessions, and will range from local restaurant tastings and wine and mixology seminars to cooking demonstrations from the city’s most sought-after chefs, as well as America’s celebrated chefs and personalities, and live entertainment from some of the music world’s most respected artists. Tickets will be available starting July 14, 2010, for $125 per person, with advance purchase, for a day session, pass; $150 per person, with advance purchase, for an evening session pass; and $500 per person for an all-access weekend packages that will allow guests into afternoon and evening sessions, seminars, how-tos, chef demos, competitions, and more (with the exception of the “90210 City of Beverly Hills Celebration” which will be an individually ticketed event). Hotel weekend packages will also be available for visitors to the city on Labor Day weekend. For further information on these and other festival news and updates, please call 877.434.TOBH (8624), visit www.thetasteofbeverlyhills.com, or find more information o