Second Annual The Taste in Costa Mesa

Los Angeles Times The Taste is an annual food and drink festival celebrating the diverse and vibrant flavors of Southern California. In 2018, the festival expanded to Orange County with The Taste in Costa Mesa and now returns for its second year celebrating Orange County’s dynamic culinary scene.

Hosted by The Times’ editorial staff and featuring some of the city’s hottest chefs, restaurants and bars, The Taste in Costa Mesa will take place in the expansive courtyard of The MET, transforming the space into a multi-sensory pop-up of music, live demonstrations and delicious cocktail and food samples. Tickets ($80-100) are on sale now and grant access to unlimited tastings from Orange County’s best and brightest.

The Taste in Costa Mesa, presented by City National Bank and co-presented by Travel Costa Mesa, is produced in association with Best Events. Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is the event’s charity beneficiary.

WHEN

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19

EVENTS



The Times’ second annual food and drink festival in Costa Mesa will showcase talented chefs, brewmasters and sommeliers who have cemented Orange County as one of the country’s most promising up-and-coming dining scenes. The weekend will feature three distinct events:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 (7:00 – 10:00 p.m.)

L.A. Times Cooking Editor Genevieve Ko will host a demo featuring Syrian pastry chef Maher Nakhal (Le Mirage Pastry) as he reveals the handcrafted artistry behind his authentic Middle Eastern desserts and French pastries.

Chef Ross Pangilinan (Terrace by Mix Mix) will showcase his eclectic style and Euro-Filipino flavors through a demo of one of his signature dishes, hosted by Times Features Writer Gustavo Arellano.

Samplings from restaurants and bars include: Absolut Juice, Amor Y Tacos, Angel’s Envy, Barton & Guestier, Bernardus Winery, Beyond Meat, Codigo 1530, Color Wine, Delicato Family Winery, Driftwood Kitchen, Ellie’s Long Beach, Filomena’s Italian Kitchen, First Growth Brands, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Harley Laguna Beach, Jame Enoteca, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, LA Brisket, Las Vegana Mexicana, Las Brisas, Licor 43, Miguel’s Jr., Mule 2.0, Outpost Kitchen, Puesto, Revel Spirits, Roba Noodle, Tackle Box, Terrace by Mix Mix, The Chori-Man, The Ranch at Laguna Beach, Vaca, Verde Kitchen, WAVE Gourmet Burgers, Wine Group, Zing Zang and Zyr.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 (12:00 – 3:00 p.m.)

§ Chef Carlos Salgado of Michelin-starred Taco María will provide a glimpse into his contemporary, Mexican-influenced cooking with L.A. Times Cooking Columnist Ben Mims.

§ Taking the crowd on a wine tour through Monterey County, Rob Baker (Southern Glazer’s) will lead a presentation on Bordeaux-style wine from Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Winery.

Samplings from restaurants and bars include: 2145 Pizza, Absolut Juice, Barton & Guestier, Bartenura/Herzog, Bernardus Winery, Billy’s at the Beach, Blinking Owl, Bodvar-House of Roses, Café Sevilla, Casa Barilla, Clay Oven Indian Cuisine, Delicato Family Winery, Descanso a Modern Taqueria, Ensaymada Project, Georgia’s Restaurant, Habana, Honey Bubbles, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Koval, La Kebabology, Louies by the Bay, Leblon, Licor 43, LSXO, Mayors Table Pacific Pub & Kitchen, Mule 2.0, Olea, Revel Spirits, Roba Noodle, Santa Teresa, Sharffenberger, Shuck Oyster Bar, St. Germain, The Chori-Man, The Halal Guys, The Taco Man, The Yellow Chili, Verde Kitchen, Zing Zang and Zyr.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 (7:00 – 10:00p.m.)

§ Chef Wing Lam (Wahoo’s Fish Tacos) will cook up his legendary Baja-style fish tacos and discuss the start of his iconic SoCal brand.

§ Michelin-starred chef Tony Esnault (Knife Pleat) will demonstrate modern, seasonal interpretations of classic French techniques with Times Senior Food Writer Jenn Harris.

Samplings from restaurants and bars include: 2145 Pizza, Absolut Juice, Ai Pono Café, Barton & Guestier, Bartenura/Herzog, Bernardus Winery, Billy’s at the Beach, Blinking Owl, Bodvar-House of Roses, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, CUCINA enoteca, Delicato Family Winery, Descanso a Modern Taqueria, Ensaymada Project, Georgia’s Restaurant, Gracias Madre, Honey Bubbles, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Koval, La Kebabology, La Vegana Mexicana, Lady M Cake Boutique, Leblon, Licor 43, LSXO, Mesa, Mule 2.0, Olea, Revel Spirits, Santa Teresa, Sharffenberger, Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar, St. Germain, Toast, The Chori-Man, The Yellow Chili, Verde Kitchen, Zing Zang and Zyr.

WHERE



The MET

535 Anton Blvd.

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

TICKETS



Friday, October 18 (7:00 – 10:00p.m.) – $100 (GA) – $150 (VIP)

Saturday, October 19 (12:00 – 3:00p.m.) – $80 (GA) – $130 (VIP)

Saturday, October 19 (7:00 – 10:00p.m.) – $100 (GA) – $150 (VIP)

To purchase tickets, visit https://events.latimes.com/taste/

ALL EVENTS AT THE TASTE ARE 21+