LA Live Hosts All-Star Chef Classic
This weekend, I am heading to the All-Star Chef Classic, the first-ever culinary event of its kind, which will put the world’s best culinary talents center stage. This modern food event will bring together more than 25 highly acclaimed chefs for unique and interactive dining experiences. I am so excited to be able to see such incredible talent live under one roof.
The three-day event will take place at LA Live’s Event Deck and will feature a constellation of chefs including Iñaki Aizpitarte, Roy Choi, Michael Cimarusti, Josiah Citrin, Dominique Crenn, Vinny Dotolo, Wylie Dufresne, Graham Elliot, Jennifer Jasinski, Gavin Kaysen, Ludo Lefebvre, David LeFevre, Donald Link, Waylynn Lucas, Marc Meneau, David Myers, Nancy Oakes, Alain Passard, Naomi Pomeroy, Paul Qui, Alex Seidel, Jon Shook, Nancy Silverton, and Ricardo Zarate.
The two main venues of the event are the Restaurant Stadium and the Chef’s Tasting Arena. Restaurant Stadium will bring more than 250 fans kitchen-side in a small VIP stadium-setting. It will be the setting for the “French Masters Dinner” and the “All-Star Lunch,” while the Chef’s Tasting Arena will host the “Grill and Chill” and “Savor the Season” events.
An OMG event I plan to attend will be hosted by Los Angeles’ own Ludo Lefebvre on March 21. The French Masters Dinner will celebrate French culinary excellence through the generations. Two of the world’s greatest chefs, Alain Passard and Marc Meneau, and Paris “it” chef Iñaki Aizpitarte will meet in Restaurant Stadium for a collaboration of international culinary talent. Five-course dinner? Yes, please! The dinner will be topped off with a French wine pairing and crowd interaction. I can’t wait!
At the All-Star Lunch on March 22, chefs Nancy Silverton, Nancy Oakes, Waylynn Lucas, Dominique Crenn, and Naomi Pomeroy will cook, plate, present, and discuss their dishes and techniques to the crowd. Later that day at the Grill and Chill, I’m looking forward to learning about the many ways different cultures cook over an open flame. The 650-person international cookout will feature diverse chefs including Roy Choi, Michael Cimarusti, Gavin Kaysen, Donald Link, Paul Qui, Jon Shook, and Ricardo Zarate. There will also be cookbook signings, recipe ideas, and VIP lounge areas.
Wrapping up the weekend is Savor the Season on March 23. LA has an abundance of seasonal, fresh, local ingredients, and chefs including Wylie Dufresne, Graham Elliot, Jennifer Jasinski, David Myers, Vinny Dotolo, David LeFevre, Josiah Citrin, and Alex Seidel will create seasonal dishes using produce from local farmers and purveyors. The 600 event attendees, including myself, will leave with recipe cards to prepare the dishes at home. Guess I will be doing some home cooking over the next few months!
The Chef’s Tasting Arena is designed to complement the Restaurant Stadium and will feature an expansive layout for tastings. At this location, guests will be able to meet their favorite chefs and taste multi-cultural cuisines. For me, walking around and having the opportunity to meet so many chefs I have only seen on television and read about is the cherry on the sundae.
Tickets for the All-Star Chef Classic start at $65. Purchase tickets online at the All-Star Chef Classic website or call (877) 234-8425 for ticket packages and additional information.
