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The James Beard Foundation brought together some of Los Angeles’ most exciting culinary talent for the latest Taste of America celebration!
The annual cooking series made a stop in Los Angeles at THE LA LINE on Tuesday night (October 6), bringing together chefs, special guests and food lovers for a walk-around tasting celebrating the city’s independent restaurant community.
The evening was hosted by Anna Sonnenshein and Niki Vahle from Little Fish Melrose Hill, who are members of the James Beard Foundation 2026-2027 Taste Twenty class, which recognizes chefs from 20 markets across the country who are helping shape the future of American dining.
Guests made their way through more than 10 food and beverage stations featuring signature dishes from some of L.A.’s independent restaurants.
Chefs included Jonathan Harris of Linden, Vaibhav Sawant of Fitoor, Rashida Holmes of Bridgetown Roti, Fátima Juárez of Komal, Ki Kim of Ki, Johnny Lee of RasaRumah, Charles Namba of Camélia, Rose Previte of Maydan LA, Misha Sesar and Cody Ma of Azizam, and Tyler Well Bets and guest Paul Downer. He was co-chairman of the hospitality committee Caryl Chinn and Dawn McCoy and also included
Eileen Foliente of Mahjong Megachurch and Yes-Hui Goldenson from YYLPR.
Special dishes of the night included Ki’s smoked lobster bibimbap, Linden duck fat fries and Fitoor’s Kashmiri Morel topped with Saffron-Quattro Formaggi Mousse and Poached Spiced Lotus Root.
Taste America travels to cities across the country throughout the year, bringing together local chefs and diners while supporting the James Beard Foundation’s work supporting independent restaurants and the people behind them.
Next, Taste America heads to Portland, Oregon, with the culinary series taking over Coopers Hall on Thursday, October 22. Tickets are available at JamesBeard.org!
Scroll through the gallery for photos from the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America Los Angeles event…
Posted in: Food Ki Kim Los Angeles Mahjong
