There are some events you go to solely for the food, often because, that’s all there is to the event and that’s fine. And then there are some events you go to for what the food represents and does for others.
I recently had the chance to attend a preview for this year’s Masters of Taste, held at the Rose Bowl Stadium, and it felt like a beautiful balance of both.
Before the crowds and before the full energy of the day kicks off, there was an evening where guests attended to get a preview of what’s to come for the event. It wasn’t just a chance to experience the event an intimate way, but the opportunity to capture the event, learn about its mission and share it others to encourage them to be a part of the cause. And there’s a lot of cause at the heart of Masters of Taste.
Masters of Taste isn’t just another food festival. Yes, there will be over 70 culinary participants from some of LA’s most loved spots including desserts, craft cocktails, wine, beer, water, and everything in between. It’s going to be big. But regardless of its size, it’s truly the kind of event where you come hungry and leave full and walk away with a list of restaurants you can’t wait to visit after the event has come to an end.
But what makes it stand out is what it supports.
Masters of Taste gives 100% of the proceeds directly to Union Station Homeless Services, a non-profit organization that has spent over 50 years working to make a positive impact across homelessness by creating long-term and stable housing solutions for people within their community. Providing assistance to this non-profit and aligning it with food makes Masters of Taste the kind of festival that stays with you a longer than many others.
Walking through the preview and sitting at the table, there was a sense of care in every bit of food. The chefs, the drinks, the setup, it all felt thoughtfully curated, but not in a way that felt distant or overly polished. It felt welcoming. Like an open invitation to be part of something bigger. And it was clear that this would be replicated at the Sunday event too.
This year’s event is hosted by chef Thomas Kalb and cheesemonger Vanessa Tilaka Kalb of Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery, and that influence comes through in the details. There’s a focus on quality, on ingredients, on creating an experience that feels both elevated, approachable, and fun. The kind of balance that’s not always easy to achieve, but matters when it does and in this space, it does.
As I tasted the samples of food shared throughout the night, it was clear that the event would be about bringing people together. It would be about creating a moment where enjoying something good can also do something good. And maybe that’s what stayed with me the most. Because obviously, the food will be great. The drinks will be flowing. The location of the Rose Bowl field will be exciting. But underneath all of that is something more altruistic.
Masters of Taste is a reminder that the best meals aren’t always just about what’s on the plate. Sometimes, they’re about what they make possible and who they help in the process.
If you’re planning to attend Masters of Taste, I highly encourage you to come hungry. But also come knowing you’re part of something bigger than just the afternoon and just the food in front of you. It’ll be about something more and you’ll most certainly feel it.
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