30 Mar Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Masters of Taste 2024 – On Sunday, April 7th, 2024
While the Please The Palate pick of the week is usually a highlight of the past week, this week it is looking into the future. That is because next week is the 7th Annual Masters of Taste at the Rose Bowl. Between the location, the food and beverage purveyors, and, most importantly, the benefactor, Masters of Taste is an event not to be missed and that is why looking ahead to Masters of Taste 2024 is the Please The Palate pick of the week. And, I have a special discount code to share as well!
The Cause
100% of the proceeds of Masters of Taste directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping men, women and children experiencing homelessness and helping to rebuild their lives. Union Station is part of a premier group of human services agencies in L.A. County that are leading the way to end homelessness in our community. Union Station offers an array of services including street outreach, meals, shelter, housing, case management and career development. In the last four years, Masters of Taste has raised over $2 Million in support of Union Station’s life-saving programs.
Masters of Taste was created out of a mission to create a unique event that would benefit an organization that focuses on addressing and resolving the issues surrounding homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley. As a result, Masters of Taste is a one-of-a-kind, premier food and beverage festival for those who appreciate delicious food, cocktails, and sweets!
And Masters of Taste has made a difference! Since 2020, 8022 Individuals have been served, 2225 People have been sheltered, 1672 people have been housed. Buying a ticket to Masters of Taste does make an impact and is helping Union Station Homeless Services end homelessness and rebuild lives.
The Venue
Masters of Taste takes place ON the field of the iconic Rose Bowl. More than 3,500 food and beverage enthusiasts will stroll the iconic field of the Rose Bowl for the 7th Annual Masters of Taste while enjoying a spectacular array of L.A.’s best Culinary, Sweet, and Beverage Masters.
What To Expect
I got a sneak peak at some of the Culinary and Beverage Masters at a recent media preview. Masters of Taste 2024 will showcase 54 restaurants and 40 beverage brands (wine, beer, and spirits) and here is a little more about what you can expect at Masters of Taste 2024:
Each year Masters of Taste features a Host Chef. The Host Chefs for Masters of Taste 2023 were Chef Michael Reed and Kwini Reed.of Poppy + Rose. Past Host Chefs have been Chef Vanda Asapahu of Ayara Thai Cuisine (2022), Host Chef Michael Hung, M Cafe (Chef Atsushi Kenjo) (2019), Kato (Michelin Star Chef Jonathan Yao), The Bellwether, (Chef Ted Hopson & Ann-Marie Verdi), and Porto’s Bakery and Café (Chef Tony Salazar). At the media preview, 2023 Host Chefs Michael and Kwini Reed passed the baton to 2024 Host Chefs Bret Thompson and Lucy Thompson-Ramirez.
Masters of Taste 2024 Culinary Master and Host Executive Chef Bret Thompson and Pez Boss Lady Lucy Thompson-Ramirez are a dynamic husband and wife team that have made a significant impact in the hospitality industry. With their passion for culinary excellence and warm hospitality, they have created a signature name for themselves in the Los Angeles dining scene and beyond. They are the proud owners of Pez Cantina, a seasonal, modern, coastal-inspired Mexican restaurant and bar, located in downtown Los Angeles, LA Burrito in Montebello, and are set to open Pez Coastal Kitchen, a new restaurant in Pasadena in Winter 2024.
Of the 40 beverage brands, there will be NON, a Non-Alcoholic Wine Alternative that looks like wine, smells like a chef’s creation, and tastes like nothing else in the world.
In addition to non-alcoholic options, there will be many wine and spirit brands, including Cru Winery from the Santa Lucia Highlands.
And there will be lots of delicious bites from the 54 restaurants.
There is only one week until Masters of Taste 2024! So mark your calendars for Saturday, April 7th 2024 for the 7th annual Masters of Taste and SAVE $10 with the special code PALATE24 [General Admission Tickets are $155 and VIP Tickets are $225].