The ¡Latin Food Fest! returns to beautiful Santa Monica beach March 23-24 for its sixth annual culinary extravaganza. This is an event that I really look forward to because of the variety of delicious food and beverages combined with great music and cool breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Lots of vendors providing food and drink
Last year, Texcoco served delicious lamb barbacoa tacos
The food and beverage festival offers a cornucopia of delicious Latin food and drink from countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Brazil, El Salvador, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, Spain, and Portugal. Festivalgoers will have an opportunity to eat arepas, paella, cebiche, ropa vieja and much more!
Many beverages available to sample
Beverages are not an afterthought. Unlike some festivals that have a single beer sponsor, beers from several countries will be available. In addition, a michelada bar will be open and I’m sure it be one of the highlights of the event.
Saturday’s Gran Tasting also includes a comprehensive tasting of Latin spirits including tequila, mezcal, pisco, rum. Wines from Argentina, Chile, Portugal, and Napa will also be poured. If you want to try the really rare spirits, the Grand VIP Tasting is for you. In previous years, they have had an exclusive fenced off area with premium Latin spirits like Alquimia Reserva Extra Añejo Tequila.
Sonsoles – Photo Credit – al boarde
If that doesn’t get your motor revving, live music by Latin rock sensations, Sonsoles, will provide lively rock, reggae and salsa music. They are dominating the west coast Latin Music scene and have shared the stage at the Staples Center with Latin superstars such as Café Tacuba, Julieta Venegas, Beto Cuevas, Enanitos Verdes, Mikel Erentxun, and more.
Chef Marcela Valladolid – photo credit NY Daily News
Chefs Marcela Valladolid, Aarón Sánchez, and Enrique Olvera will conduct cooking demonstrations on the main stage, discuss culinary trends, and sign copies of their books. ¡Latin Food Fest! and Aaron Sanchez will help raise funds for and raise awareness about The Aarón Sánchez Scholarship Fund, which provides similar scholarships to people from local minority communities.
Marcela Valladolid is the host of the Food Network television series Mexican Made Easy and the co-host of the Food Network television series The Kitchen. Enrique Olvera is the world’s best-known chef from Mexico; his restaurant Pujol is widely considered the best restaurant in all of Mexico, and his New York eatery Cosme sets the standard for modern Mexican cuisine. Aarón Sánchez is an award-winning chef, TV personality, cookbook author, and philanthropist.
Tickets to Saturday’s Gran Tasting start at only $29 and early entrance is $79. VIP tickets entitle the bearer to: Grilled Lobster by chef Brenda Rivera, Leg Spanish Jamon, Baja Oysters, Ceviche by chef Natalie Curie, Chard Octopus Aguachile Tostada and Blueberry and Lavender Pushpop Helados by chef Ben Diaz, Horchata Cheesecake by chef Brian Menendez, Arroz de Leche Frito and Costa Rican Vigoron Salad by chef Hugo Miranda, Anejo Pisco, Anejo Tequila and a gift bag.
This event takes place in less than 3 weeks from now. Don’t delay your ticket purchase(s).
¡Latin Food Fest! Santa Monica Beach just north of the pier
March 23-24, 2018
12 p.m. – 3 p.m. (early admission at 11 a.m.)
https://latinfoodfest.com/