What exactly is Taste of the Nation?
“Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Los Angeles is one of 55 events across America dedicated to ending hunger in America. Each summer, LA’s hottest chefs and mixologists donate their time, talent and passion at the Taste of the Nation event at Media Park in Culver City to raise the critical funds needed to end childhood hunger by supporting our local recipients.” more info
Tickets cost $125 this year. Where does the money go?
“In Los Angeles, 100% of ticket sales will be divided among five charities that are working to end hunger. Among them are Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness.” more info
Was it worth it?
ABSOLUTELY. Besides supporting the wonderful cause, we got to eat some delicious samples from some of L.A.’s top dining spots including (to name a few): Akasha, Angeli Caffe, Animal, The Bazaar, Beso, BLT, Church & State, Craft, Fig, Ford’s Filling Station, Fraiche/Riva, Gelato Bar, Grace/BLD, Jar, Katsuya, Mozza, Rivera, XIV Michael Mina and more!
If you missed it this year, please enjoy these photos… and definitely think about joining the fun in 2010.
The first booth at Taste of the Nation? My pals at the Bazaar!
The Bazaar’s Jamon Iberico
The Bazaar’s Felix Meana next to the Liquid Nitrogen!
Lucas Paya making the Nitro Margarita with Salt Air
Nitro Margaritas with Salt Air
Tomatos with Liquid Mozzerella Pipettes, Liquid Olives “Ferran Adria”
The Bazaar’s Chef Jorge Chicas
First row of restaurants at Taste of the Nation
Ford’s Filling Station’s Booth
Ford’s Filling Station’s Meyer Angus Beef Sliders with Hook Cheddar Cheese
Confit Duck with Farro and Cherry by Fig Restaurant
Locanda Del Lago’s Vitello Tonnato: Roasted and Sliced Veal Tenderloin in Creamy Tuna-Caper Aioli
The always cheerful Chef Walter Manzke (Church at State) with his awesome PIG burgers!!
Rivera’s BEAUTIFUL Tortillas Florales with Verde Shrimp Salsa by Chef John Sedlar
On the grill: Rivera’s Tortillas Florales
Katsuya’s deep-fried roll of Tuna & Foie Gras with micro greens
Katsuya’s Tuna Chirashi
XIV – Michael Mina’s Sweet Corn Soup (with pork belly)
Craft’s CRISPY Pork Belly with Summer Corn and Tomato Medley
Nobu’s Famous Miso Marinated Black Cod with Butter Lettuce
Lobster with Caviar and Potato Gaufrettes
Simon LA’s Ahi Tuna with Fava Bean Puree and Tomato Olive sauce
Gelato Bar’s Allessandro Fontana, Gail Silverton and Joel Gutman (love the Lemon-Basil)
Akasha Restaurant’s Meyer’s Hanger Steak, Mcgrath Farms Red Butter Lettuce, Heirloom Tomato, Mustard Oil, Shaft Blue Cheese Bacon Dressing
Chef Akasha Richmond of Akasha Restaurant.
Jar’s Chef Suzanne Tracht (currently on Top Chef Masters) : Roasted Pork Belly with watermelon salad
Jar’s Crispy Roasted Pork Belly
Animal’s Amberjack, Nectarine, Jalapeno, Citrus and Mint
My favorite dessert in Los Angeles! Mozza’s Butterscotch Budino (with the rosemary pinenut cookie on the side). It’s sweet, it’s salty and the cookie crunch make it perfection!
Mozza’s Nancy Silverton in photo.
Event Date: Sunday June 14, 2009
Share Our Strength / Taste of the Nation
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness
Suzanne Tracht on Top Chef Masters
Akasha | Angeli Caffe | Animal | Bazaar
Beso | BLT | Church & State (website error)
Craft | Fig | Ford’s Filling Station
Fraiche | Gelato Bar | Grace | Jar
Katsuya | Mozza | Rivera | XIV Michael Mina
All my Taste of the Nation ’09 Photos on Flickr
my last bite... 
Jo, your pictures are awesome as always, and you continue to make me feel like I’m actually at these events. I love it. And thank you for your posts on stuff like this.
But seriously, working at The Bazaar must be akin to being a rock star. Look at these pictures. The Jamon Iberico stand, giant container of liquid nitrogen, making nitro margaritas like a mad scientist, the molecular gastronomy goodies, pipettes . . . they don’t do anything half-assed.
That slider from Ford’s Filling Station looks like the end-all-be-all of sliders. That place is a must.
And the best part of all of this is that last month, I’d have looked at that picture of Suzanne Tracht and said “Who?” Now, it’s “Aaaah!”
you must come next year!!!
Sure it was worth it! Beside the great cause, the food was fantastic, learned about too many great restaurants, was able to meet some of top chefs in LA and to top it of the company was outstanding.
xo
Oh yes. We are going every year together Afaf!!
And we are in!!!!!!!
xo
Sounds like an awesome event to be at. All the food served looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing those photos. I wish I was able to go. =)
The sliders and pig burgers look so freaking good I can’t stand it. I can’t. And the floral tortillas are simply beautiful. Thanks for the photo tour.
Beautiful Photos! Were were there for almost the entire time and can’t believe we missed some of those bites!!!! Oh well, guess will have to go again next year!
Taste of the Nation and Wolfgang Puck’s AWFF (American Wine & Food Festival) are my two favorite L.A. food events.
If you haven’t been to AWFF before, it’s scheduled for October 3 at the backlot of Universal Studios. http://www.awff.org/
Last year’s individual tickets were $300 pp, but really worth it (food & celeb chef encounters). Proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels.
Cheers!
great photos. i used to work in LA and that really takes me back to those events and all the chefs.
Thanks
You are welcome! And I read your blog> http://onespoonquenelle.blogspot.com/
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