“Masters of Taste, Los Angeles’ premier outdoor luxury food and beverage festival, returns for its eagerly anticipated eighth annual event, taking place on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 3 to 7:00 p.m. once again on the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl Stadium. 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a non-profit organization providing over 50 years of homeless services and housing for thousands of neighbors.”
Special offer for “SoCal Restaurant Show” Listeners: At ticket checkout use Promo Code LAMEDIA26 (all caps) for a cool $10 discount.
“Masters of Taste’s 2026 Host Chefs are the acclaimed husband-and-wife team of Chef Thomas and Chef Vanessa Tilaka Kalb of Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery, widely recognized for their refined, ingredient-driven approach and their impact on Pasadena’s modern dining scene.”
“As the founders of the celebrated Old Pasadena restaurant and cheese shop, the Tilaka Kalbs have earned critical praise and a devoted following for their elevated Californian comfort food rooted in classic American regional cooking, guided by a seasonal, farm-to-table philosophy and a deep commitment to sourcing from the region’s best farmers, makers, and producers. Celebrated for their mastery of cheese, polished technique, and exceptional hospitality, Chef Thomas and Chef Vanessa Tilaka Kalb bring a level of culinary excellence and leadership that makes them a natural and exciting choice to host the eighth annual Masters of Taste.”
Chef Thomas and Chef Vanessa join us unwrapping all that is the 8th annual Masters of Taste.
“MOHI Farm, the vision of proprietor Frank Leal, is committed to celebrating Morgan Hill’s agricultural heritage while appealing to the refined tastes of today’s health-conscious urban community. Their commitment lies in reducing waste through sustainable practices in sourcing, food preparation, and design.”
“MOHI Farm prides itself on procuring the freshest, most abundant ingredients directly from local farmers including the four-acre MOHI Ranch. The menu (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) is a reflection of the seasons, dynamically changing with each harvest to showcase the vibrant flavors of the region’s bounty in every culinary creation.”
“Stepping onto MOHI Farm in Morgan Hill feels like finding a peaceful oasis in the heart of a vibrant community. Nestled among the allure of Morgan Hill’s rich agricultural history, MOHI Farm is where farm-to-table dining, thoughtful event hosting, and a passion for fresh, local ingredients come together. Whether attending a special event, sharing a meal with family, or hosting your dream celebration, MOHI Farm offers warmth, style, and authenticity in every corner.”
Also featured are the local Leal Vineyards wines, an affiliated operation.
Executive Chef Lance Ramburst takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us.
“608 Dahlia, the renowned garden-to-table dining destination nestled within the picturesque Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar, has launched their seasonal fall menu. Crafted by Executive Chef and Owner Jessica Roy, the new menu showcases the peak-of-season ingredients, celebrating the vibrant flavors and colors of Southern California. Chef Roy, a culinary visionary and winner of multiple national TV cooking competitions, continues to elevate the dining experience at 608 Dahlia with her commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients.” Chef Jessica takes a break from her bustling kitchen to join us.
“Since its inception, 608 Dahlia has become both an everyday local favorite and a beloved special occasion restaurant for large and small celebrations. With its custom florals and warm hospitality, the boutique garden restaurant continues to impress as one of Orange County’s most sought-after dining destinations. To complement its new seasonal menu, the restaurant has transformed into a harvest wonderland for fall. The indoor-outdoor eatery offers guests plush plaid blankets and tables topped with heirloom pumpkins, allowing guests to cozy up for fall.”
“A focal point of the restaurant is its garden-facing bar, which boasts a display of seasonal décor and floral arrangements. The cocktail program at 608 Dahlia mirrors the ethos of the kitchen, transforming seasonal ingredients and fresh juices into beautifully handcrafted Soju-based cocktails like the Strawberry Basil Margaritaand tropical-inspired Bird of Paradise. Non-alcoholic options turn florals, herbs, and fruits into enchanting elixirs.”
“The boutique garden restaurant is proud to be a Level One Certified Green Restaurant by the Green Restaurant Association, reflecting Chef Roy’s personal dedication to sustainability and eco-conscious practices. The restaurant continues to support local purveyors and prioritize small, eco-friendly businesses in sourcing the finest ingredients.”
“The Fall menu opens with refreshing starters such as their signature Buttermilk Chive & Gruyere Biscuits, served with orange blossom honey and whipped butter. Roy’s Heirloom Garden Beets are served with whipped herbed goat cheese, seasonal orange, local avocado, picked garden leaves, and farmers market radish.”
“608 Dahlia also presents appealing garden-inspired dishes like the Harvest Salad of baby kale, shaved Brussels sprouts, arugula, local apple, feta cheese, toasted pepitas, crispy quinoa, and jewel-toned pomegranate seeds; the Wild Mushroom Orecchiette with htruffle cashew cream, roasted herbed Japanese mushrooms, petite fall squash, and crispy Sherman Garden herbs; and the Seasonal Vegetable Quiche, a house-rolled crust filled with organic leeks, wild mushrooms, Swiss and Gruyère blend, Lilly’s Farms cage-free heritage eggs, and sweet yellow bell pepper emulsion. Main courses like the Pan Seared Salmon are complemented by whipped basil potato, petite vegetables, and a citrus carrot emulsion. The guest-favorite Braised Short Rib makes a return, served with brown butter sweet potato, petite vegetables, and a red wine reduction.”
“For dessert, guests can enjoy elevated fall classics like a caramelized Apple Tart and a Spiced Pumpkin Pie with a cinnamon almond crust, organic spiced pumpkin custard, and whipped coconut cream. The house-made Lavender Crème Brûlée, enhanced with fresh marinated berries and whipped berry cream, offers a delicate and aromatic finish.”
The name refers to the actual address of the kitchen at 608 Dahlia and it also happens to be Chef Jessica’s favorite flower. Now you know…
608 Dahlia is a great, somewhat hidden location for memorable Holiday Parties and Year-End Celebrations. Think ahead and book early…
“The Ecology Center nestled in the serene landscape of San Juan Capistrano, California continues its renowned Community Table dinner series for the summer 2024 season, taking place every Friday, now through August. Guests are invited to indulge in an unforgettable dining experience under the stars where the dialogue between farm, chef and community comes alive on a plate. Each dinner showcases the vibrant seasonal produce from the center’s sustainable farm, transforming it into memorable conversations. Inspired by the season’s bounty, each chef composes an eco-conscious menu that harmonizes with the vibrant palette of fruits, vegetables, herbs and berries grown and cultivated on the farm.”
“With an intimate setting for 80 guests per dinner, these gatherings promise an authentic farm-to-table experience. The evening unfolds with a convivial happy hour in the picturesque courtyard, followed by an enlightening farm tour where guests can pluck seasonal produce straight from the vine. Culminating in a sumptuous multicourse meal, meticulously crafted by the region’s culinary luminaries, each dish promises to be a testament to its unique culinary vision, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience for all.”
If you’re a foodie in good-standing you’ve most likely heard of the ultimate outdoor dining experience, “Outstanding in the Field.” These ongoing, one-of-a-kind dining spectaculars (since 1999) are the creation of artist and chef, Jim Denevan. A just released feature documentary,Man In The Field: The Life and Art of Jim Denevan, chronicles his memorable achievements.
““MAN IN THE FIELD” profiles pioneering artist and chef Jim Denevan, founder of “Outstanding in the Field,” a radical alternative to the conventional dining experience. The documentary intimately reveals Denevan’s artistic and culinary gifts with land art in epic geometric formations alongside grand dinners in beautiful natural settings. Instead of bringing the food to the restaurant, “Outstanding in the Field” has brought the restaurant to the food since 1999. Hosted at one long table, with 100 to 1000 guests dining together, Denevan has set tables in vineyards, beaches, meadows, fishing docks, and city streets. Over 120,000 lucky patrons in all 50 states and 16 countries have experienced this once-in-a-lifetime event and now Director Patrick Trefz’s film will allow audiences to experience it too.”
“Deemed one of the best restaurants in Paso Robles since its launch in 2009, Thomas Hill Organics is a farm-to-table restaurant dedicated to serving creative, organic cuisine and highlighting unique wines from the Central Coast.” Serving Lunch, Dinner and Sunday Brunch.
“With a dynamic menu reflecting Paso Robles’ local abundance, Thomas Hill Organics sources a vivid array of fresh ingredients to concoct bold, imaginative dishes. What began as a humble organic CSA showcasing the Central Coast’s bounty quickly evolved into a popular destination for creatively prepared, honest food.”
“Thomas Hill Organics believes in the significance of organic, regionally-produced food, working with California purveyors for their poultry, fish, beef, lamb, and exotic meats. Nearby farmers provide their fruits and vegetables, which are always straight-from-the-earth fresh, and the breads are crafted by local bakers who are celebrated artisans of their trade.”
Chef Restaurateur Dean James Max likes to characterize James Republic in downtown Long Beach as “a body of persons engaged in a savory pursuit to celebrate locality and sustainability, and cultivate community through the dining experience.”
“James Republic combines modern sensibilities with old-world principles to afford a genuine gathering place for the neighborhood and a distinctive dining destination in the heart of Long Beach.”
“Our style is what we like to call “modern California coastal” dining, highlighting the season’s vibrant, locally sourced bounty from both land and sea. Our kitchen is a chef-driven, farm-to-table workshop where we create ever-changing menus dictated by the season’s finest products of time and place.”
We reel in Chef Dean James Max for a preview of his upcoming quarterly Dinner Bell Series evening on March 15th. It’s a very special Sunday evening family style supper with ingredients hand-selected by Chef Dean & his team from the Long Beach Farmers Market that morning.
