This past weekend, VULKAN had the pleasure of attending the Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival hosted by TASTEMADE, held November 7th through 9th, a three-day celebration of California’s vibrant culinary scene. With a weekend pass in hand, we immersed ourselves in a world of exceptional cuisine, world-class wines, and the kind of creative energy that only Los Angeles can deliver.

Produced by a21, the festival team behind some of the nation’s most celebrated culinary events, LAWFF blends creativity with culinary excellence in true Angeleno style. Each day brought a new lineup of culinary stars, with the festival’s headlining chefs setting the tone for unforgettable tastings and demonstrations. This year’s roster featured some of the industry’s most celebrated talents, including Antonia Lofaso, Brooke Williamson, Bryan Voltaggio, Claudette Zepeda, Gabe Bertaccini, Giorgio Rapicavoli, Ludo Lefebvre, Michael Symon, Michael Voltaggio, and Stephanie Izard. Their presence elevated the experience, offering guests the chance to explore signature dishes, personal twists, and the creativity that has made each chef a standout in the culinary world.

The atmosphere throughout the weekend was electric yet effortlessly relaxed, an inviting blend of music, outdoor energy, and the unmistakable buzz of food lovers discovering their next favorite bite. From bold, inventive dishes to elevated comfort classics, the festival’s headliners and featured chefs showcased a range of flavors reflecting Los Angeles’ diverse and ever-evolving food scene.

The selection of wines and cocktails was equally impressive. From crisp California whites to robust reds and artisanal craft creations, every pour was thoughtfully chosen to complement the artistry on each plate. Whether discovering a new winemaker or savoring a perfectly balanced cocktail, the beverage offerings added an extra layer of sophistication to the weekend.

The festival showcased a remarkable range of restaurants and chefs whose creations captured our attention, including:

  • Chef Camille Napolitano-McDowell – Camille’s Culinary Creations

  • Chef Jhong Lee – The Penthouse Restaurant

  • Max & Fede – Fuegos LA

  • Lawrence Longo – Irv’s Burgers

  • Matthew Gaudet – Saltie Girl

  • Frank Prieto – Terrazza at Hotel Casa del Mar

  • Phil Martin – Black Cat BBQ

  • Chef Lior Hillel – Bacari Restaurants

  • Chef Rocky – Brique French Toastery

  • David Kuo – Head Fatty Fatty Mart

  • Ellen Bennet – Hedley & Bennett / Tastemade’s “Kitchen Glow Up”

  • Gino Pineda – Gino Pineda

  • Oscar Cabezas – Telefèric Barcelona

  • Chef Ken Li – Paradise Dynasty

  • James Bailey – Majordomo

  • Javier Lopez – 71Above

  • Jose O. Carles R. – Si! Mon

  • Nakul & Arjun Mahendro – BADMAASH

  • The Grill Dads – Grill’n Time Cocktails

  • Tiana Gee – SoulPhil

  • Angela Tamura – Peppoli at Pebble Beach

  • Chef Edward Brik – WeVINO

  • Elvia & Alex Garcia – Evil Cooks “A Corazon Abierto”

  • Executive Chef Joey Roacho – Ristorante Per L’Ora

  • Vanda and Cathy Asapahu – Ayara Thai

  • Todd Matthews – Costa Covo Osteria

  • Renato Araujo – Lorenzo California

  • Prince St. Pizza – Prince St. Pizza

  • Jason Witzl – Ellie’s

  • Jayro Martinez – Top of The V

  • Jay Rushin – H&H Bagels

  • Jackson Kalb – Ospi | Jemma | Jame

  • Danielle Duran-Zecca – Amiga Amore

  • Daniel Cutler – Ronan

  • Chef Steve Samson – Superfine Playa

  • Alice Mai & David LeFevre – AttaGirl

  • BOBBY GALE – Overall BBQ (aka Smokehouse BBQ LA)

  • Chef Felipe Cuevas – Mothers Tacos

  • Jazz Singsanong – JITLADA

  • Jonathan Perez – Macheen / Districto Catorce

  • Keith Phillips – Bar Siesta

  • Ashley Cunningham – Badash Bakes Bakery

  • Rashida Holmes – Bridgetown Roti

  • Robert Liberto – STK Steakhouse

  • Alisa Reynolds – My 2 Cents LA

  • Briana Valdez – HomeState

  • Anna Santiago – Santiago and Company Catering

  • Chef Debbie Lee – Yi Cha

  • Executive Chef Irene Verceles – The Surfing Fox

  • Geo Delgado – Trophies Burger Club

  • Marcos and Nayomie Mendoza – Cuernavaca’s Grill

  • Renson & Caroline Blanco – BAKE SOME NOISE

  • Avner Levi – CENTO Pasta Bar

  • Brian Redzikowski – Kettner Exchange

  • Dustin Lee – Chimmiler

  • Heather Wong – Flouring

  • Jessica Koslow – Sqirl

  • Lucy Haro Qusqo – Bistro & Gallery

  • Raphael Lunetta – Marelle Santa Monica

  • Ray Hayashi & Cynthia Hetlinger – RYLA

  • The Lonely Oyster

  • Chef Uyên Lê – Bé Ù

  • Juan Carlos “Billy” Acosta – Carnitas El Momo

  • Julia Tokarz & Gregory Lay – East Side Cheesecakes

  • Kat Turner – Highly Likely

  • Lindsay & Lawrence McDonald – All About the Cinnamon

  • Michael Reed – Poppy & Seed

  • Okay Inak – SORA Craft Kitchen

  • Rose Previte – Maydan

  • Chef Lobo Leon – Casaléna

  • Chef Steve Samson – Superfine Playa

  • Daniel Cutler – Ronan

  • Margaret Ameel – Cafe de Marguerite

  • Melody Stein – pi00a

  • Michele Galifi – Bianca Sicilian Trattoria

  • Patrick Costa – De La Nonna

  • Sol Bashirian – Sunday Gravy

  • Tara Punzone – Pura Vita

  • Todd Matthews – Costa Covo Osteria

  • Uli Nasibova – Uli’s Gelato

  • Vittorio Lucariello – 1 Pico at Shutters on the Beach

We had an incredible time exploring everything the Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival had to offer. Between the outstanding chef talent, the rich variety of tastings, and the uplifting ambiance, this year’s edition delivered an exceptional culinary journey. And without a doubt, we are already counting down the days until the next one.

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