March is coming up faster than you think, and there’s quite a few events, so I’m splitting this into two posts! But before we get there, here’s one last one happening this week before the end of February…
Wednesday, February 22nd – Whiskey Festival: Fresh off their Best New Restaurants celebration, Los Angeles Magazine is throwing its second Whiskey Festival at the La Brea Tar Pits Museum. Featuring whiskeys (or if you prefer, whiskys), scotches, bourbons, and ryes from the likes of Bruichladdich, Four Roses, Kikori, Macallan, Whistle Pig and more, if last year’s shindig was any indication, it should be a great time! Tickets are $95 + fee for unlimited pours and some food–can’t drink all night on an empty stomach. Remember to rideshare!
Thursday, March 2nd – PPLA Food Fare: This long-time fundraiser, held annually since 1979, raises money for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, which provides critical women’s health services. Chef of the Year for 2017 is Annie Miler of Clementine, and the participating restaurants include a mix of new restaurants like 71 Above, Holbox, Kali, and established ones like a.o.c., Michael’s, and Thyme. Looks like just the AM session (11a-2p) is available now. Tickets are $150.
Wednesday-Saturday, March 8th through 11th – All-Star Chef Classic: This multi-day mega-event takes place at L.A. Live and has flair to spare! The four Masters Dinners held each night take place in Restaurant Stadium and have such chefs as Ludo Lefebvre, Antonia Lofaso, Curtis Stone, and more for each themed night. The “strolling” events this year are Southern Eats on Friday night, with The Hart & The Hunter, Hatchet Hall, Howlin’ Rays and other non-“H” named restaurants participating; and Saturday night’s annual “Grill & Chill” featuring Ford Filling Station, The Cannibal, Mexikosher, Broken Spanish, and more! Tickets range from $125 to $425 depending on the events.
Sunday, March 12th – COCHON555: Easily one of my favorite events of the year, the L.A. stop for this national heritage pig cooking competition takes place once again at Viceroy in Santa Monica. This year’s competing chefs are returning challenger Bruce Kalman (Union), Kyle Johnson (Bourbon Steak), Dakota Weiss (Estrella), David Féau (Wally’s), and Jonathan Granada (Otium). Each chef will be paired with a whole heritage pig, a different breed each, and will have to come up with 5-6 dishes. 20 judges, and all attendees, will get to vote for their favorite dishes and chefs, and one will be crowned Prince/Princess of Porc and go on to Aspen to compete to be the King/Queen of Porc! Tickets are $125 for GA, $200 for VIP (1 hour early entry), and $400 for the BeSpoke experience, which includes a charity dinner the night before at Otium hosted by chef Timothy Hollingsworth.
Tuesday, March 14th – L.A. Cooks for the James Beard Foundation: This year’s James Beard Foundation nominations had many names from Los Angeles, including many personal favorites in the Best Chef: West category: Wes Avila (Guerrilla Tacos), Jeremy Fox (Rustic Canyon), Bryant Ng (Cassia), Carlos Salgado (Taco Maria), Kris Yenbamroong (Night+Market), to name a few… This year the short list of nominees will be announced at Lucques on Wednesady, March 15th, but on the eve of the announcement the restaurant will host a dinner featuring a bunch of past JBF winners and nominees including host Suzanne Goin, Michael Cimarusti (Providence), Nancy Silverton (Mozza), Susan Feniger & Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill), Vinny Dotolo & Jon Shook (Animal), and more! Reservations are $285, or $1,000 for the VIP Chef’s Table Experience! Call 323.655.6277.
Throughout March (and beyond) – Hanging with Harris Dinner Series: Professional master of ceremony Billy Harris is literally the host with the most … events, that is! In addition to hosting two of my favorite food events–L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade and the aforementioned COCHON555 (all stops on tour!)–he somehow finds time to host a bunch of dinners here in L.A. The first just happened this weekend, but two are happening in March, including dinners at Lucques on the 6th and at The Rose Cafe on the 27th. Tickets are $125.
Upcoming events later in March: Latin Food Fest (March 24-25), LA Weekly’s The Essentials (March 26th), and I’m sure I’ll find more for the round-up covering the second half of March!
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