If you haven't begun to make plans for this upcoming Labor Day weekend, then consider one of the biggest culinary events of the summer: Los Angeles Times The Taste food and wine festival. The opening night kick-off celebration begins on Friday, August 30th at Paramount Studios on Melrose and ends on Sunday, September 1st with tickets now available for purchase.

Events include: Opening Night presented by Tequila Don Julio, Field to Fork, Labor Day Block Party, Flavors of LA and Cocktail Confidential. All of these fantastic events will offer tastings, cocktail and wine offerings, book signings, live demos and live entertainment with an array of celebrity chefs. Nancy Silverton (Osteriza Mozza), Michael Cimarusti (Providence), Sang Yoon (Lukshon) and Matthew Biancaniello (premier mixologist) will be co-hosting this year's foodie festivities.

Last year's Taste was a blast and I recommend purchasing packages so you can attend multiple events. I tasted some of LA's best fine dining flavors from BOA Steakhouse, Salt's Cure and Mr. Chow and enjoyed unique cocktail creations from Chopin, Tanqueray and a West Hollywood favorite, The Roger Room (the list goes on).

LA Times members receive 20% off individual tickets or purchase your tickets online in advance for additional discounts. If you are a drinking and dining enthusiast (like most of our readers are), you won't want to miss a taste of this year's The Taste.

Here's a peak into my adventure at last year's The Taste.

Purchase Tickets for The Taste

Parmamount Studios

5555 Melrose Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90038

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Los Angeles Times The Taste 2013

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