MASTERS OF TASTE 2024 PREVIEW

Calling all SoCal foodies—the seventh annual fabulous Masters of Taste, (which features unlimited refreshments all day!,) is back in town.  I’ve attended the past five of them, (I, sadly, missed the first,) and now I can’t wait for this 2024 version. So I’m happily sharing the lowdown on how to be there yourselves. (Just don’t cut ahead of me for any of the goodies!)

I brought my main contributing writer, Laura, to her first one last year, and she almost cried from how much she loved it. She said it’s the best event she’s ever been to!!! And as someone who works with me, you know she’s been to everything!

The 2024 Masters of Taste (MOT) is taking place this Sunday, April 7, 2024, at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena once again. And—no kidding—it’s right on the field!  I had been on that field several times before my first MOT, (because of my friendship with the UCLA athletes in the late ‘90s, and also for a few professional events since then,) and let me tell you— it’s a magical experience every time. But there’s nothing as thrilling as entering the top of the steps for this event, and taking in the entire tableau at once. Trust me on just how breathtaking that view is!

But the food and beverages from all of the participating eateries are the real stars of the day! Trust me on that statement even more! I’d advise everyone to not eat much that day until you get there.

General admission goes from 4-7PM, and there’s an additional early VIP hour from 3-4. (MOT is much less crowded for that first hour, so if your dining and recreational budget allows, I highly recommend spending the extra bit of money for it.) And that admission price covers absolutely everything! Once you’re in, you can eat and drink as much as you like, including alcoholic beverages. (But if you do plan to drink those, please either designate a teetotaling driver or take a car service.)

Before I get into the participating eateries, I have to tell you about the kindness aspect of Masters of Taste. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to Union Station Homeless Services, a very worthy nonprofit organization that’s working to end homelessness and rebuild lives here in Los Angeles, specifically the San Gabriel Valley. (You can read more about them on the Masters of Taste site linked at the bottom of this preview.)

Now, as to exactly what we’ll all be feasting on next Sunday, there will be over forty eateries offering savory bites, (including the perennial favorite, Gus’ Fried Chicken; Emporium Thai, a famous Westwood restaurant that I’ve been recommending to MOT for a few years now; and even the classy members-only City Club LA,) and over a dozen dessert purveyors, (for which I can’t wait to cheat on my diet!) As to the beverages, there will be about four dozen various ones. (And that’s not even counting the plethora of bottled/boxed waters that are always on offer.) None of us will be wanting for anything, (except maybe a baggier wardrobe that day!)

And the fun is not solely on the Rose Bowl field; as soon as you enter the gates, there are booths and food trucks right on that top level. Whether you begin your food and drink journey right there or save that area to peruse on the way out, (so you can relax in one of their fake-foliage-covered armchairs,) it’s all good. I guarantee that you will love it all!

More good news is that the parking in the Rose Bowl lot is free! And close-by. On top of that, all attendees receive a cute little set of cutlery on the way in, so they can use their own utensils for the day instead of each booth’s plastic ones, if they choose to be nice to the environment. To further help the planet, the waste bins all around the grounds are specified for either landfill, recycling, or composting, which my recycling self really appreciates.

There’s always a culinary Host of this event, and this year it’s a husband-wife team with whom I’m familiar. Lucy Thompson-Ramirez and Chef Bret Thompson own and run Pez Cantina downtown. I’m a proud user of their famous seasoning; now if only I could cook like Bret. Lucy is always kind enough to invite me in for dinner, but, with my crazy sked, I just can never find the time, so I’ll be happy to reconnect with them at Masters of Taste this coming week-end.

As a Masters of Taste veteran, I, of course, have some excellent, (if I do say so myself,) advice for you when you go. Since there’s tons of walking, (it’s on a football field, after all,) wear comfortable footwear. And because you’re going to eat and drink more than you could have ever imagined, wear loose clothing, such as drawstring pants, or, let’s call it “faux maternity,” dresses for the ladies. It actually doesn’t matter what you look like for this one—everyone has eyes for only the food and beverages!

Most importantly, be smart and wear sunscreen! Even if it’s not a sunny day. And perhaps bring a cap with you. You can never be too careful with the sun. Take this advice from someone who’s had skin cancer twice…on my face!

Now that you have all this important info, go order your tickets right now! I hope to see all my fellow SoCal denizens there. Come say hello, but please try to do so during the few seconds in which I’m not stuffing my face!

For tickets and more information on all of it, just click right here: www.mastersoftastela.com.