There’s very little I’ll walk in the rain for, especially without an umbrella.
I’ll do it for my mom because she threatens me with the “I gave you life, I can take it away” bit. I believe her. I’ll do it if for some reason it means it’ll erase my name from Sallie Mae’s records. I wish she’d get amnesia. I’ll also do it if a cute guy winks at me and doesn’t have that Ted Bundy murderer face. That’s a real thing. Above all else, I’ll do it for food. But you already knew that.
Yesterday, I was walking in circles on my way to an event hosted by the Los Angeles Times. The Southern Californian publication invited me and many others to Spring in Downtown Los Angeles to unveil their new month-long food festival. The thought of getting to hear about a new food event in Los Angeles that would last an entire month was enough for me to get my shoes soaked in the rain. Might I add, my cardigan, dress, hair, and foundation were also drenched.
On a brighter note, I did find out that my foundation is in fact waterproof.
After close to 15 minutes walking around aimlessly in the rain, I finally found the restaurant. I have to admit, I have the worst sense of direction and I’m sure I would have died early in a real life version of the Oregon Trail. Once I walked inside, I was greeted by the sweet check-in person who let me know the event was about to start. With that, she asked if I’d like a napkin in an attempt to dry myself off. “I’d like all the napkins, please.” For some reason, she didn’t see the humor in that and I walked away. As I let myself air dry, I moved into the restaurant with the gaggle of attendees.
Scanning the room I saw the refreshments being served. I managed to snap a few photos, but didn’t take any bites because I needed to catch my breath from dodging rain drops. After a few food photos I snapped a shot by the creative cartoonist Napkin Killa who was drawing portraits on napkins. I flirted with the idea of stealing his napkins to dry off, but I restrained myself.
A few more photos and weaving through the crowd, I was in a decent position for the presentation to begin. One-by-one CEO Justin Dearborn, Editor and Publisher Davan Maharaj, and Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold approached the stage and revealed distinct parts of the event known as Food Bowl. Taking place from May 1st to 31st, the festival will have events, dinners, and programs all around food and open to the public. Pulling in chefs and food personalities within Los Angeles and across the world, Food Bowl will also hold in-depth conversations and discussions around food hunger, waste, sustainability, trends, and the future of food. On top of that, the 12-acre Grand Park will host a Night Market from May 10th to 14th that will give ticket holders access to 50 vendors in hopes of filling their bellies with delicious eats. If you’ve ever attended a Grand Park event, Made in America or even their New Year’s Eve celebration, you’re going to want to wear comfortable shoes, carry a backpack/big purse, and wear stretchy pants. I speak from experience.
At the end of it all, the remaining question was in regards to the name: Food Bowl. What was the significance? Refer to Amy Scattergood’s article on the subject and she’ll pull from the speakers who mention, “Bowls are great unifiers.
We do, after all, live in a town with celebrated bowls…” She goes on to point out major venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and the like. If I can add to the list of popular bowls, there’s the Super Bowl, acai bowl, and taco bowls are also great unifiers in their own right. I may have made that last one up.
Regardless, the Food Bowl will bring people together over the common infatuation over food for thirty-one days. Whatever the name is, it will be a great event that I can’t wait to check out. The more I think about it, the name has a nice ring to it so I can see why they chose it. Plus FoodPlate.com was already taken.
To get all the updates on this event, visit the Food Bowl site starting February 11, 2017!
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ahh so exciting!! i’ve heard jonathan gold’s voice before but never seen him (he’s on the kcrw good food podcast a lot), so i think it would be weird to see and hear him lol (though i guess that could be true for anyone who does voice work). what was the mango dessert you got?
I’ve heard him on the podcast too! That’s such a nice food podcast that it’s fun to hear what things they discuss. But hahaha it is kinda weird to put a face to a voice, especially considering how well known he is in the food industry!
Hahah, I would have laughed at the statement you made about wanting all the napkins. You’re too adorable! And the bit about you catching your breath from dodging the raindrops so made my gut happy because it got tickled. What a massive food event this is, Danielle. BTW, you mentioned in the previous post about Milo being your childhood favorite and I had to mention that it was mine too but my brother still worships Milo even now. Something about Milo will always be comforting as it was the drink served in my primary school too last time. I hope you’ll have a blast during the food festival and keep us posted with all your delish food experience! 😀 xx <3
Shanaz I wanted all the napkins. EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM!!! OMG the last time I was that soaked I was in the shower. Anywho…
Milo is seriously a favorite since i was a kid. I love that you know it too and that your brother still loves it too. I agree with you, there’s seriously something so comforting about it and it just makes falling asleep at night so easy. I really hope I can go to the event and even be a part of it in some way keep your fingers crossed for me please!!!
Sallie Mae and I are bitter enemies, I also wish she would get amnesia and die! Die Sallie Die lol. YaY for water proof foundation! Oregon Trail! That took me back lol. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes I can’t wait to attend some of the upcoming events. I can’t miss the Food Bowl, thank goodness it lasts for a month 🙂
Such bitter enemies right?! Like we were cool at one point and now I’m like, “Bitch stop calling me”. Yes and I’m so glad it’s a month long event so that means there’s so many opportunities to explore food and really check out new eats!!!
You are too funny with your Oregon Trail – I remember that game! Wow, I have never heard of the Food Bowl but it sounds so lovely. I truly love food and tasting everything that this event sounds like the perfect place for me to try everything! I can’t wait to see all your photos and reviews! xoxo, Christine
http://dailykongfidence.com/
Ohhh Christine you are so sweet thank you so much! I can’t wait for the event to kick off and I hope I get to photograph so many parts of it. Cross your fingers for me!!!
So nice! It looks super delicious!
I didn’t get to taste any of it, but it definitely looked delicious!!
Danielle, You are making me want to come to LA so bad! the food bowl sounds amazingggg!
xoxo
Ifeoluwa
Hahaha it’s so much fun, Ife! I hope you can take a small flight this way to check it out yourself =]
I wish I lived in the L.A. and could visit the Food Bowl. It sounds like an amazing event! Thank you for sharing, Danielle!
X
Miri
It’s such a fun event, Miri. If you happen to be in the area you should totally go =]
Wow looks amazing! Wish I could go. Great post!
Hope you can go one day soon, and when you do I’m sure you will love the event!!!
This is my fave blog one, I love all of your posts about food and this one looks delicious!
Camila,
My Vogue Style | http://www.myvoguestyle.com
Thank you so very much, Camila. That is so kind of you =]
Haha at Oregon Trail… *memory lane*
Food looks fab – wish I lived closer for the fest! Maybe I can convince the fiance to make a mini vacay trip…
-Clarissa @ The View From Here
YAYAYAYAY you’re able to comment again Clarissa! This makes me so happy! I loved that you love that line, that game was so much fun except I ALWAYS died from typhoid fever! But yes the food is so pretty – I didn’t have a chance to taste it – but if you come out this way with your fiance I hope you enjoy the month long event!
All that food looks amazing. LA has for ages been on my wishlist. I hope to be able to travel there at some point in near future.
http://www.mydailywear.co.uk
The day you come here Izabela, I hope you love it and you get to explore all the food your gut can handle =]
ah this looks amazing!!
xx
Hehe, thanks so much!!
pretty photography! this food all looks so delicious!
kelseybang.com
Hehe thank you Kelsey!! <3
Everything looks so delicious!!! I am so happy to discovery your site. As an LA native I am always peeping out new spots… and now there is you!!! ❤️ I will definitely be checking out the food fest.
Hahaha that makes me so happy Stacey! Thanks so much for saying that, it makes me so happy that you found me. I hope you enjoy the festival when it comes starts!
this food festival sounds like a ton of fun! i need to visit for sure 🙂 xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com/fashion/style-oversized-chambray-shirt/
Right! I hope it’s gonna be a blast, Sharon!!
A month long food festival sounds like a dream to me! Hope you enjoy it!
xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com
Eeep! I hope so too. Thank you a bunch!
I believe this is my first time encountering your blog and I must say, you have a wonderful style of writing that’s captivating with your witty humor! This event sounds like such a great time, I wish I loved in Cali so that I could attend this food bowl in May; I’m sure all the food and vendors will be amazing! Thanks for sharing and I hope you’re having a great week so far!
Xo,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Oh my goodness that makes me so happy! Thank you so much for your kind words I really appreciate that. And the event definitely sounds like it will be a blast. Although you’re not out here, I will post as many photos from the event as possible so you can feel like you’re there <3
If only I were in LA! This event sounds awesome. Love that it’s a month long, haha!
Best,
Christina
Looks by Lau
I love that about it too. It makes it perfect for the person who can’t make it one day–they can make it on another! =]