The Taste Celebrates a Decade of Dining on the Paramount Backlot

Wrapping up the last long weekend of the summer, The Taste returned to Paramount Pictures Studio backlot for a three-night culinary celebration of the city’s top toques and trend-setting global restaurant concepts. Hosted by the Los Angeles Times editorial staff, the backlot food crawl showcased the diverse epicurean culture from Thai to Ethiopian and Indian cuisine along with chefs from the award-winning outposts such as The Bazaar by Jose Andres who served Hamachi cones, Cal Mare Mediterranean cuisine rolled out saffron arancini and HomeState made their famous queso with brisket chili. 

In addition to cooking demos, conversations, live music and interactive games, there were cocktails by top mixologists, wine tastings, and artisanal beer flowing on tap. The festive street vibe – which drew sold-out crowds in its 10th year, ended harmoniously by also benefiting two local charities: The Collins College of Hospitality Management and L.A. Regional Food Bank. 

Photos By Devin Berko 

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Social media mavens The Dining Dolls enjoying all the treats.
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Tacos 1986 flipping over their deli- cious tortillas always draw the longest lines at any event. , Kim Prince of Hotville Chicken worked her magic on the Nashville staple with L.A. Times Senior Food Editor Jenn Harris hosting the demo.
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Pizza King Chris Bianco of recently opened Alameda Supper Club at The Manufactory in the ROW DTLA, leads the crowd in an Italian cooking demo.
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Celebrity chef Nancy Silverton brought her Mozzaplex crew to help serve the group’s latest concept Triple Beam pizza. , Eataly of Century City showing off skills from their new house-made pasta bar La Pasta Fresca. , House of Suntory Japanese whiskey, who now offers vodka and gin, mixed craft cock- tails for the guests.