Great Taste Magazine

Top Chef Tour
www.bravotv.com/thetour

CuisineType : Other

Bravo hits the road again with the annual “Top Chef: The Tour” kicking off in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, May 17. The 15-city tour brings the Emmy and James Beard Award-winning, No. 1 food show on cable to fans and foodies nationwide. Back by popular demand, the tour features a show-down between two former chef’testants in each market who compete in a live, interactive cook-off in front of “Top Chef” fans with a panel of local judges, and audience members.

“’The Top Chef Tour allows our passionate and engaged Bravo fans the chance to be up close and personal with one of their favorite shows,” said Ellen Stone, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Bravo. “We provide a hands-on experience that takes them one step closer to being part of the show.” To date, “Top Chef: The Tour” has visited 82 cities, interacted with more than 44,000 “Top Chef” fans nationwide along the way and last year, the tour’s online ticketing for all cities sold out within hours.

The free event provides fans with a chance to meet and greet the Chef’testants they’’ve come to know and root for, hear “Top Chef” show “secrets,” and, for the first time ever, step into the judges shoes and rate their favorite Chef’testants’ food. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of on-site activities, including “Top Chef”-themed Cornhole Toss, Tip the Scale – where fans will be tasked with putting items in order of weight, and “Top Chef” Horseshoe Toss. Additionally, attendees can purchase Bravo and “Top Chef” merchandise on-site.

“Top Chef: The Tour” will be pulling up to a farmer’s market, mall or food festival.

To sign up for free admission and learn more about “Top Chef: The Tour,” visit http://www.bravotv.com/thetour.

The Burnt Truck, Dogzilla, The Flip Truck, George’s Greek Café, Grill Em All, Ludo Truck, and Rolling Sushi Van
21931 Alma Aldea,
CA-92688

www.alz.org/oc/in_my_community_walk.asp

CuisineType : American, BBQ, Sushi

The End of Alzheimer’s Starts Here.

Mark your calendars for the 2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s and unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions. Join us as we Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death and a disease that devastates millions of families across the country. Enjoy live music and food from Southern California’s most popular gourmet food trucks including: The Burnt Truck, Dogzilla, The Flip Truck, George’s Greek Café, Grill Em All, Ludo Truck, and Rolling Sushi Van.

With your help, we will raise awareness and funds to enhance Alzheimer’s care and support, and advance critical research. Together, we are an unstoppable force in the fight against Alzheimer’s.<br

Del’s Lemonade, George’s Greek Café, Ludo Truck, Rolling Sushi Van, and Short Stop BBQ
2301 North Kraemer Blvd,
CA-92870

www.alz.org/oc/in_my_community_walk.asp

CuisineType : American, BBQ, Sandwiches, Sushi

The End of Alzheimer’s Starts Here.

Mark your calendars for the 2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s and unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions. Join us as we walk to end Alzheimer’s, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death and a disease that devastates millions of families across the country. Enjoy live music and food from Southen California’s most popular gourmet food trucks including: Del’s Lemonade, George’s Greek Café, Ludo Truck, Rolling Sushi Van, and Short Stop BBQ.

With your help, we can raise awareness and funds to enhance Alzheimer care and support and advance critical research. Together, we are an unstoppable force in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Santa Monica Festival
2600 Ocean Park Blvd. (Between Cloverfield Boulevard and 28th Street) Santa Monica, CA,
CA-90405

www.smgov.net/festival

CuisineType : Cal Coast, Food Trucks, Healthy, Tex-Mex

Celebrating the Connection Between the City’s Communities, Culture, Businesses, Environment and Art Featuring Music & Dance, Sustainable Workshops, Food Trucks, Cooking Demos, Community Resources, Fitness Classes, a Santa Monica Farmers Market “Chef Challenge” Cooking Competition & More

In the heart of California’s most beautiful beachfront city, the 21st annual Santa Monica Festival brings together the community while highlighting the dynamic connection between the City’s businesses, arts and environment, providing ideas and solutions for a greener, healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. The festival offers something for everyone with an array of interactive activities, live music and dance, fitness and food. Admission, parking and bike valet are free.

Festival highlights include performances by Dustbowl Revival, La Santa Cecilia, Lux Aeterna and Vaud & The Villains, fitness classes, eco-friendly workshops and a Santa Monica Farmers Market “Chef Challenge” cooking competition. In addition, festival attendees can learn about recreational classes offered by the City and how to incorporate fitness into everyday life, watch cooking demonstrations and discover local resources offered by a variety of Santa Monica, environmental and local non-profit organizations. “The City proudly presents this annual festival to celebrate and showcase the unique and progressive programs, businesses, culture and environmental initiatives of Santa Monica,” says Allison Ostrovsky, Cultural Affairs Supervisor for the City of Santa Monica.

The festival is presented by the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division, Community and Cultural Services Department, and Office of Sustainability and the Environment (OSE) and is produced by Community Arts Resources (CARS). Event Highlights Include:

OCEAN STAGE: Diverse music and dance performances including Venice-based jazz collective Dustbowl Revival, merging old school bluegrass, gospel, jug band and swing, the South American rhythms of La Santa Cecilia combining cumbia and bossa nova with Afro-Cuban percussion, rock and jazz, LA’s premiere dance-theater company Lux Aeterna, combining urban dance and circus theater, and 19-piece New Orleans orchestra and cabaret band Vaud & the Villains. The stage will be hosted by Natalie J. Forte, who is producer and co-host of Be Green, Santa Monica CityTV’s Emmy nominated eco-friendly show and the popular lifestyle show Get Out!.

FOOD SALON: A culinary stage with a chef challenge, cooking demos, and cookbook workshop focusing on how to cook sustainable and affordable meals using Farmers Market produce, as well as ways to incorporate Santa Monica’s adoption of the “Meatless Monday” movement. The culinary stage includes a new addition this year, the Santa Monica Farmers Market “Chef Challenge” cooking competition featuring Nyesha Arrington, executive chef at The Wilshire and contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef Season 9 and John-Carlos Kuramoto, executive chef at Michael’s. They will face off to create dishes that are quick, easy and affordable using Santa Monica Farmers Market ingredients. Cooking demos will be offered for both adults and children. Attendees can also select from over fifty healthy recipes from Santa Monica chefs and design their own cookbook.

FOOD TRUCKS & CARTS: Over a dozen food trucks and carts will serve a variety of healthy fare and tasty treats, including Border Grill, Coolhaus, India Jones, The Bun Truck, Go Chew Truck and Gastrobus. For a complete list visit www.smgov.net/festival.

MARKETPLACE: Guilt-free shopping featuring earth-friendly, artistic wares, jewelry and crafts from top independent, local artists and vendors.

ECO ZONE: Fun, interactive booths and activities promoting environmentally smart solutions for your home, garden and daily living. Sustainable Works will be offering Vermicomposting, Solar Cooking and Non-Toxic Cleaning workshops.

ACTIVE SANTA MONICA: The hub for all things active. Get moving with Zumba, belly dancing, martial arts, gymnastic, and yoga demos throughout the day. Learn about City classes, recreational programs and how to incorporate fitness into everyday life. Active Santa Monica aims to enhance the wellbeing of the Santa Monica community through fitness, recreation and healthy lifestyle choices. A Taste of Summer with the Annenberg Beach House will offer cardboard yacht building and stand-up paddleboard and volleyball demos.

TOWN SQUARE: Meet the people committed to making Santa Monica shine from organizations such as the American Red Cross, Santa Monica Fire Department, The Broad Stage, Santa Monica Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the Santa Monica Conservancy and many more.

WORKSHOPS: Be inspired and get crafty at one of the many creative workshops. Create spoke cards for your bicycle with the Santa Monica Museum of Art, contribute to an interactive installation with 18th Street Arts Center and make a rocket ship or planet with orbiting objects with the Santa Monica Public Library as part of their Summer Reading theme “Dream Big.”

BIKE ZONE: FREE bike valet is available on 25th Street at Ocean Park Boulevard. Bikers receive a free raffle ticket for participating. Learn do-it yourself bicycle repair, maintenance and safe riding tips from Bikerowave. Santa Monica Spoke will have over 30 bikes on view and will showcase the adaptability of bikes as well as have interactive talks on “bike fit” and education on “confident city cycling.” The City of Santa Monica’s Planning & Community Development and SM Bike Center present a bike rodeo and skill zone where participants of all ages can practice bicycle handling.

ZERO WASTE: The Santa Monica Festival supports the City of Santa Monica’s commitment to sustainability by following zero waste principles to reduce its impact on the environment and community. All electricity used at the event is renewable. Vehicles driven to and from the event are carbon-offset. Zero Waste stations will be set up throughout Clover Park to minimize trash going to the landfill and to maximize recycling and composting. All utensils are either compostable or recyclable. In addition, the Water Resources Division of Santa Monica will supply the festival with chilled water stations and the Westside Food Bank will be selling reusable water bottles for a $2 donation that will provide food to social service agencies in West Los Angeles.

The Santa Monica Festival is free to the public and takes place on Saturday, May 19 from 11am – 6pm in Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., between Cloverfield Boulevard and 28th Street. Parking and bike valet are free. The Santa Monica Festival is sponsored by Chobani Greek Yogurt, Intelligentsia, Izip, KCRW 89.9 FM, Santa Monica Mirror, Yelp.com, Santa Monica Place, West LA Takeaway, Farm Fresh To You and Local Yocal.

For more information and a complete list of events, please visit www.smgov.net/festival.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SantaMonicaFestival
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SantaMonicaFest<br

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
2961 Michelson Drive,
CA-92612
949-252-8848
www.ruthschris.com

CuisineType : American, Fine Dining, Steak

Please join us for our “Sizzle, Swizzle, & Swirl” Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm in our bar and lounge. Our menu features $7 appetizers and sandwiches, $7 cocktails and martinis, $7 glasses of wine, and $3 domestic beers.<br

Sapphire Culinary Group & Sapphire at School
31641 La Novia, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675,
CA-92675

www.sapphirellc.com/

CuisineType : American, Eclectic

Chef Azmin Ghahreman, together with Sapphire Culinary Group and Sapphire at School, is holding its Sapphire Food Fare on April 28 at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. Sapphire Food Fare is a farmers market and culinary experience. It’s a collection of fine foods and produce for sale including: farm-fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, artisanal breads, cheeses and chocolates, organic grass-fed beef, fresh seafood and local varietals of honey. Chefs will be on-hand to demonstrate recipes and provide samplings while nutritionists will be available to share advice on how to buy better and eat healthier as families. Last year’s Food Fare attracted more than 1,000 visitors. VISUALSKids cooking with chefs, chef demonstrations, local vendor and farmer booths, families enjoying the market, plant sale, activities for children, tours of the school garden.

VENDORS
The following local farms, purveyors, and artisans will be at Sapphire Food Fare (please note: this list is not finalized, and will continue to grow): Local Farms: Jaime Farms, Pudwill Berry Farms, Rockview Farms, Weiser Family Farms, Tutti Frutti Organic Farms, Snake River Farms, Gourmet Specialty Farms, Garcia Organic Farms, Diestel Turkey Ranch; Meat/Seafood: Santa Monica Seafood, Newport Meat Company, Open Space Grass-Fed Meats; Specialty Foods: Sapphire Pantry, Picket Lane Bakery, The Chocolate Soldier, Temecula Olive Oil, Sweet Lilikoi Patisserie, Scott B’s Hot Sauce, Picket Lane Bakery, Perricone Juices, Pasta Mia, Lily’s Eggs, Jidori Chicken, It Begins In The Garden, Harry’s Berries; Organizations: Sapphire Nutritional Board, The Ecology Center, California Produce Wholesalers, Absolute Green Electronics Recycling; Other: Tae Kwon Do Jang, Sili Squeeze, The Seed Project (from SMES).<br

The Queen Mary
1126 Queens Highway,
CA-90802
8587555411
westcoastbbqclassic.com/

CuisineType : American, BBQ

Whose barbecue style reigns supreme? That question will be answered the Queen Mary presents the first-ever West Coast BBQ Classic – a full day of finger lickin’ good competition with pitmasters from around the country battling for the title of Ultimate Pitmaster.

Over 5,000 people are expected to attend the inaugural event which will be held at the Queen Mary Event Park and feature over 30 barbecue experts from Memphis, Kansas City, the Carolinas, the Lone Star State and elsewhere. Fun seekers should come hungry and early to taste as many dishes as their appetite can handle before casting their vote for the People’s Choice award. The Ultimate Pitmaster will walk away with $9,000 in prizes awarded by a panel of judges sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. In addition to the cook-off, the all-American food fest will feature live music performances and BBQ eating competitions as well as a kids’ zone and Jack Daniels lounge for guests 21+. For those in need of more to eat, a variety of vendors will be on hand with non-barbecue foods and sweet treats.

General admission to the West Coast Classic is $10 and includes one tasting ticket. Attendees may purchase one additional taste for $2; six tastes for $10; or 13 for $20. Children 12 and under are free; admission to the kids’ zone is $5. Parking is $12.

Guests who book the Queen Mary’s Grillin’ & Chillin’ hotel package for Saturday night will enjoy overnight accommodations, free parking, two general admission tickets to the West Coast BBQ Classic and 13 additional tasting tickets. Rates start at $199 based on double occupancy.

Vivo Vino
9320 W. Pico Blvd.,
California-90035

eventbrite.com

CuisineType : Winery

VIVA VINO LA (http://www.vivavinola.com/)is the premiere and largest Italian wine festival in Southern California and is presented by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West, The North American Sommelier Association, and Please the Palate. It returns to Los Angeles May 14-19 for a second year of educational dinners, lectures, tastings and seminars at various locations. The event will be hosted by some of Los Angeles finest restaurants and retailers and will highlight Italy’s vibrant, historical and thriving wine culture.

Tickets will be going on sale soon for the various tastings, events, and seminars; including tickets to The Grand Tasting on May 16 from 6:30-9pm at The Mark for Events at 9320 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles.

Other new offerings this year include an advance two-week Italian Restaurant Week at participating restaurants. For tickets and detailed information, log onto www.vivavinola.com

World Tea Expo
5125 W Oquendo Rd Suite 16,
NV-89118
(702) 253-1893
www.worldteaexpo.com

CuisineType : American

World Tea Expo

An expo exhibiting:

- Over 200 teas from around the world!

- 40% of venders are exclusive to the Expo

- Retail items, such as unique tea ware

- Delicious baked-goods

- Specialized accessories

Event Cost: $50

Comme Ca
8479 Melrose Ave.,
California-90069
(323) 782-1104
www.commecarestaurant.com/

CuisineType : French

Joel Black and Julian Cox return to Comme Ca along with Sam Ross.They say you can never go home again but L.A. cocktail geeks will sure be happy to see some renown mixologists return to Comme Ca in West Hollywood, even if for one night only. Sam Ross (who installed Comme Ca’s cocktail program in 2007) of Milk & Honey in New York and the bartenders whom he trained and have consequently gone on to bigger and awesome-r things, Joel Black (Three Clubs, Cana) and Julian Cox (Rivera, Playa, Sotto), will take over the bar and create cocktails inspired by the restaurant’s “spring bistronomy menu.”

Antonello Ristorante
3800 South Plaza Drive,
CA-92704
(714) 751-7153
www.antonello.com

CuisineType : Italian

Join Antonello Ristorante as they welcome Don and Dee Sodaro back!

Don and Dee Sodaro, of Sodaro Estate and Winery, are hosting a “Pre-Release” tasting and dinner for their Fall release.

Be the first to sample some of their upcoming Fall releases

-Estate Red Blend

-Petit Verdot

-Cabernet Franc

-Malbec

For more information visit: www.antonello.com or write info@antonello.com

Catal Restaurant
1580 Disneyland Dr.,
California-92802
714.774.4442
www.patinagroup.com/restaurant.php?restaurants_id=52

CuisineType : American, Bar & Grill

Introducing Chef Nick Weber of Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar at Downtown Disney. Nick’s been using a RATIONAL combi-steamer in his kitchen for over a year now, but knew our system and combi cooking since his days working at Pinot Provence (at the Westin South Coast Plaza) in Costa Mesa. Nick’s agreed to host us at Catal for a special meal and expert kitchen in the afternoon on Wednesday April 18, 2012. He’ll show off his own special takes on classical dishes like Porchetta, roast Pig, Prime Rib, sous vide preparations and show how combi cooking has helped him manage this high-end, high volume operation. He’ll also tell you about how RATIONAL helps his team during a la carte service and why he recommends RATIONAL to his Patina Group colleagues. This event is open to professionals only and is absolutely free. Parking is included also. If you’d like to join us just reply to us here at RATIONAL and we’ll register you for the event but call us soon since we’ll cap this event at 15 chefs. Have a great day and don’t miss out!

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant
2401 Park Avenue,
CA-92782
714-566-1700
www.facebook.com/RAsushi

CuisineType : Japanese, Sushi

Throw on a Hawaiian print shirt and a lei and hula on over to RA Sushi for a Spring Luau Party. Sail away to an island paradise with beach themed décor, tropical food and drink specials, and a special playlist that will keep the tiki torches burning all night long. Enjoy great food and drink specials all night long including the Tropical Roll, Pineapple Cheese Wontons, Spicy Pineapple Chicken, Baby Umami Punch, and our seasonal spring cocktails the Bikini Martini and the Pineapple Express.

The Sky Room
40 S. Locust Ave,
CA-90802
(562) 983-2703
www.theskyroom.com

CuisineType : Italian

Improv Show!

Join The Sky Room for a night full of laughter, as they host witty comedians for an evening of improv.

Tickets: $10

*Pre-sale tickets include a cocktail drink

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant
155 5th Street (on Pacific Coast Highway),
CA-92648
714-536-6390
www.facebook.com/RAsushiHuntingtonBeach

CuisineType : Japanese

Throw on a Hawaiian print shirt and a lei and hula on over to RA Sushi for a Spring Luau Party.

Sail away to an island paradise with beach themed décor, tropical food and drink specials, and a special playlist that will keep the tiki torches burning all night long.

Enjoy great food and drink specials all night long including the Tropical Roll, Pineapple Cheese Wontons, Spicy Pineapple Chicken, Baby Umami Punch, and our seasonal spring cocktails the Bikini Martini and the Pineapple Express.<br

Share Our Selves
1550 Superior Avenue,
CA-92627
949-270-2100
www.shareourselves.org/

CuisineType : Mexican

Orange Country’s most prominent chefs will join SOS in an evening of fun, friendship, and exotic tacos. In the spirit of good-natured competition and to support a great cause, these chefs will create unusual and interesting tacos.

Thursday April 19,2012
5:30-7:30 pm
VIP Party: 4:30-5:30 pm

Proceeds from the event support the SOS Orange Aid Project. Founded in 1992, Orange Aid retrieves excess food from local food vendors and distributes to those lacking food security. Join us and help feed your community by enjoying great food for a great cause.

McKenna’s On the Bay
190 N. Marina Dr,
CA-90803
(562) 342-9411
www.mckennasonthebay.com

CuisineType : American

McKenna’s Grand Prix Package!

Package includes:

-Premium Reserved Seats: Grand Stand 40

-Round Trip Agualink Transportation: With Cocktails

-Sunday Brunch

Event Cost: $175

Savory Spice Shop
928 Avocado Ave.,
CA-92660
(949) 717-7776
https://www.facebook.com/SavorySpiceShopCDM?sk=wall

CuisineType : Retail, Other

St. Patrick’s Day with a corned beef and cabbage cooking class on March 15th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The demonstration class will feature Chef Susan Miller who will show attendees how to make traditional favorites of corned beef, tri-color cabbage & fennel salad and some not-so-traditional twists such as kale chips. The class will also show students how to make their own mustards. Cost to attend is $20 per person and space is limited, reservations are advised and can be made by calling Savory Spice Shop at (949) 717-7776.<br

Savory Spice Shop
928 Avocado Ave.,
California-92660
(949) 717-7776
https://www.facebook.com/SavorySpiceShopCDM?sk=wall

CuisineType : Retail, Other

On March 22nd, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Chefs Linda Elbert and Michael Bretall, owners of The Basement Table, will be demonstrating the use of local ingredients and spices from Savory Spice Shop to create a Moroccan dinner, featuring: Moroccan spiced hummus and pita chips with Za’atar, spicy glazed carrot salad, charmoula marinade, meatball tagine with couscous and gazelle horn cookies with mint tea. Cost to attend this class is $40 per person and includes a demonstration on how to prepare all the dishes. Space is limited at this event and reservations are advised and can be made by calling Savory Spice Shop at (949) 717-7776.<br

Gaslamp
6th Avenue & E Street,
CA-92101
(619) 233-5008
www.sandiegoshamrock.com

CuisineType : American

17th Annual ShamROCK!

Come Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in The Gaslamp

This year the streets will be paved green!

Enjoy 3 stages of live entertainment all day

Event Cost:

$35 until March 10th

$40 until March 16th

$45 on March 17th

**Upgrade to CLUB VIP for $25 more and receiveexpress entry, in-n-out privileges, no cover and food and drink specials at the Gaslamp Quarter’s hottest nightclubs and restaurants!

For more information, such as location visit: www.sandiegoshamrock.com

OC Tastefest
88 Fair Drive,
CA-92626
(714) 330-8048
www.octastefest.com

CuisineType : American

OC Tastefest!

Come join the 2 day’s of fun.

May 4th, 5pm-11pm

May 5th, 1pm-10pm

Event Includes:

- Food and Wine Showcase

- Live Entertainment (Local Bands)

- Cook Demonstrations

- Area for Children

Participating Eateries:

- Cucina Alessa

- Salt Creek Grille

- Wahoo’s

- Slaters 50/50

- Port Restaurant

- Wing Stop

- Marrakes

Event Cost:

Regular- $12

* Get your tickets today for half off.

Taste of Orange County
8800 Irvine Center Drive,
CA-92618
(949) 419-6969
www.tasteofoc.com

CuisineType : American, Winery

The Taste of Orange County is Back!

Enjoy Two days of fun:

June 16th: 12:00 pm- 10:00 pm

June 17th: 12:00pm- 8:00 pm

Event Includes:

-Variety of Entertainment and Music

- 50+ of Orange County’s top restaurants

- 75 Premium Wineries

- Restaurant Tasting

- Wine Tastings

- Wine Auction

– Cooking Demonstrations

The Winery Restaurant
2647 Park Ave,
CA-92782
(714) 258-7600
www.thewineryrestaurant.net

CuisineType : French

Sunday In The Vineyard!

Join the Winery for their benefit. Proceeds go toward Marconi Foundation for Kids and CASA of Orange County.

Come enjoy a wine tasting with more than 80 unique wines, and support a great cause.

There will also be a live and silent auction!

Tickets are available for $150 per person.

* A portion is tax-deductible

Pelican Hill
22701 Pelican Hill Road South,
CA-92657
(949) 467-6833
www.pelicanhill.com

CuisineType : American

Pelican Hill’s New Etiquette Classes!

Guest staying at Pelican Hill are being offered a new and exciting experience for their children. That’s right Pelican Hill is offering child etiquette classes. Classes will be lead by Kathleen Cover, of the Etiquette School of Beverly Hills- Newport Beach.

Class Dates:

- April 29, 2012
- May 27, 2012
- June 24, 2012

Class Curriculum:

- First Impressions and Introductions
- Dining Etiquette
- Writing Thank You Notes
- Five-Diamond Resort & Pool Etiquette

Children will also enjoy:

- Lunch
- Resort Tour
- Afternoon Swim in Coliseum Pool

Classes are intimate size, instructing only 6-12 children. Classes are intended for children 8-12.

Expensive of etiquette class: $249 per child (per class)