Show 444, September 25, 2021: Chef & Restaurateur Vanda Asapahu, Ayara Thai Cuisine. Preview of Masters of Taste 2022 at The Rose Bowl

Vanda Asapahu of Ayara Thai Cuisine

“Be a part of the fifth annual Masters of Taste, as L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival returns and will be taking place on Sunday, April 3rd, 2022, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the Iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl with 100% of the proceeds going directly to benefit Union Station Homeless Services!”

“Masters of Taste is introducing Chef Vanda Asapahu as Host Chef of Masters of Taste 2022 which also happens to mark the 5th Anniversary of this celebrated event which had to be canceled in 2020 due to the Pandemic. Masters of Taste 2022 Culinary Master and Host Chef Vanda Asapahu is the chef and owner of Ayara Thai Cuisine and she has participated since its inception in April 2016.”

“Asapahu went to college at UCLA and to graduate school at Yale, then she spent four years living, traveling, and working her way through Thailand before returning home to Los Angeles. During Asapahu’s stay in her native country, she took extensive notes, which included absorbing Bangkok’s street food scene and reviving old family recipes. After cooking with relatives and eating her way through the streets and countryside, Asapahu brought back these treasured old recipes and new flavors to share at Ayara Thai. While her mother Anna Asapahu still helms the family kitchen, Asapahu is the vanguard, taking up the torch of her family’s culinary tradition at Ayara Thai Cuisine.”

“I have had the pleasure of participating in Masters of Taste since its inaugural year,” states Asapahu. “As a proud UCLA alum (Go Bruins!), I’d give anything for the opportunity to cook, eat and dance on the field of the Rose Bowl. The most amazing thing about Masters of Taste is that 100% of the proceeds go directly to benefit Union Station Homeless Services and not many food festivals can say that. Union Station Homeless Services is committed to ending homelessness in Los Angeles.”

“The fifth annual Masters of Taste 2022 is expected to bring over 3,000 food and beverage enthusiasts together for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival, which will include the finest fare from over 100 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, top Beverage Masters who will be featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and bars, a premier 50-Yard-Line Cocktail Bar featuring top Mixologists from four of L.A.’s most distinguished drinking destinations, select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment and much, much more.”

Chef Vanda joins us with all the enticing details.

Ayara Thai Cuisine in Westchester is currently open for Take-Out orders and their Thai Thursday Night Street Food Series.

Show 316, March 23, 2019: Masters of Taste Preview with Host Chef Michael Hung of Faith & Flower

Michael HungMasters of Taste is a premier food and beverage festival on the field of the iconic Rose Bowl on Sunday April 7th. 10 percent of event proceeds benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) organization. The fourth annual event introduces an exciting new host chef concept, featuring Michael Hung (Faith & Flower) as the premier event host/ambassador.

2,500 guests will stroll the 50-yard line as they feast on the finest fare from L.A.’s top chefs and restaurants, sip signature handcrafted cocktails from L.A.’s Master Mixologists, enjoy tastings from some of California’s most eclectic wineries and local craft breweries, listen to live entertainment and so much more. #SundayFunday redefined.

“For more than 45 years, Union Station Homeless Services has helped adults and families facing hunger, homelessness, and poverty in our community. Everyday, our staff has the privilege of working with people on a journey – people who trust us enough to let us into their lives so that we can provide the outreach, shelter, housing, and employment services they need for a better life. Union Station has grown and expanded in recent years. Our staff has more than doubled in size; our geographic reach has expanded to include Pasadena and 32 cities in San Gabriel Valley; and our programming has evolved and adapted to serve the most vulnerable members of our society – people experiencing chronic homelessness, chronic health conditions, disabilities, mental illness, and substance use.”

Masters of Taste is definitely a Family affair for Host Chef Michael. His brother, Jon Hung, is now the chef at The Raymond 1886. He’ll also be part of Masters of Taste.

Chef Michael’s dish for Masters of Taste is a Roasted Prime Striploin.

Chef Michael Hung is out guest.

Show 269, April 14, 2018: 3rd Annual Masters of Taste, The Rose Bowl

Vanda AsapahuCome celebrate and be part of the 3rd Annual Masters of Taste, L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival that will take place on Sunday, May 6th, 2018 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the Historic Pasadena Rose Bowl! Masters of Taste 2018 will bring over 2,500 food and beverage enthusiasts together from all over Greater Los Angeles for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival.

Founder Rob Levy and participating chef, Vanda Asapahu of Ayara Luk, provide all the tempting details.

The 3rd Masters of Taste will include the finest fare from over 40 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, top Beverage Masters who will be featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from 25 spirit brands and bars, a premier 50 yard-line cocktail bar featuring top Mixologists from four of L.A.’s most distinguished drinking destinations, select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment and much, much more.

100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2018 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to end homelessness in our community and offers an array of services including street outreach, meals, shelter, housing, case management and career development. In the last two years Masters of Taste has raised nearly $1 Million in support of Union Station’s life-saving programs.

Ticket Information: Masters of Taste 2018 will take place on Sunday, May 6th, 2018. A VIP Power Hour will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm and General Admission will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Tickets to this event are only available for guests 21+ and over. For more information on Masters of Taste 2018 or to book your tickets directly, just go right here to order them.

Show 220, April 22, 2017: 2nd Annual Masters of Taste Benefit, Rose Bowl, Pasadena

Rob LevyThe 2nd Annual Masters of Taste benefit, an outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival is being held on Sunday, May 7th, 2017 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl!

The Benefit will bring over 2,500 food and beverage enthusiasts together from all over Greater Los Angeles for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival, which will include the finest fare from over 40 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, signature handcrafted cocktails and tastings from over 30 Beverage Masters, including LA’s top bartenders and cocktail bars, local California wineries, local craft breweries, pressed juices, hand roasted coffee, live entertainment and much more.

100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2017 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to end homelessness in our community and offers an array of services including street outreach, meals, shelter, housing, case management and career development.

Michael HungLast year, Masters of Taste 2016 raised over $435,000 for Union Station Homeless Services, and this year Masters of Taste hopes to grow that number to $560,000.

Ticket Information: Masters of Taste will take place on Sunday, May 7th, 2016. A VIP Power Hour will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm and General Admission will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Tickets to this event are only available for guests 21+ and over. For more information on Masters of Taste or to book your tickets directly, please visit right here.

The Chairman of Masters of Taste, Robert Levy, joins us for a stellar preview along with participating Chef Michael Hung of K-Town’s Mama Lion.