A family-style celebration of the sandwich, in its many forms. Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, hosts a holiday get-together designed to put time-honored classics and exotic combinations in the palm of your hand – from ice cream to burgers to tacos to bánh mì. Co-hosted by Zoe Nathan, Baker and Restauranteur of Milo & Olive and Huckleberry.

Your all-inclusive ticket offers:

Unlimited beer, wine, spirits and food tastings, plus access to all wine seminars and cooking demonstrations.

Wine seminars and cooking demos:

11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Wine Lists & How They are Created featuring Jesse Rodriguez, CWE (wine director at The Grand Del Mar) and Ira Norof, CWE (moderator and President of the Society of Wine Educators)
As wine director at The Grand Del Mar in San Diego, Jesse oversees their 37,500-bottle wine inventory. Find out how he selects the ones for the resort’s five dining venues, including the critically acclaimed restaurant, Addison.

11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Steve Lopez’s Firehouse Cookoff
It started with a cooking challenge at the Los Angeles Times to see which of the eight local firehouse chefs will make it to The Taste. Among the judges were Russ Parsons, Times food editor and Jonathan Gold, Times restaurant critic. Don’t miss their selects: Mark Curry from Station 29 in mid-Wilshire and Cruz Macias from Station 87 in Granada Hills as they go head-to-head at this event.

Noon -12:45 pm
Cooking Demonstration featuring Zoe Nathan (co-owner and chef at Milo & Olive, Huckleberry Café and Bakery, Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen and Sweet Rose Creamery)
Watch Zoe, the pastry pro, whip up a masterful creation.

12:45 – 1:30 pm
Thomas Keller (owner of The French Laundry, Bouchon and Ad Hoc) in Conversation with Russ Parsons
Thomas, a James Beard Foundation “Best Chef” and winner of “Chef of the Year” by the Culinary Institute of America will share his thoughts, insights and inspirations on his career.

1 – 1:45 pm
Backyard Burger Champs featuring:
George Levinthal
Chris Lucchese
Debbie Pappalau
Noelle Carter (moderator)
What goes into the ‘ultimate’ burger? The winners of the Los Angeles Times 2012 Battle of the Burgers discuss their recipes, why they chose them and their trick to making a good burger great.

1:30 – 2:15 pm
Cooking Demonstration featuring Nancy Silverton (co-owner of Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, and Mozza2Go, founder of La Brea Bakery)
This year, Nancy received a James Beard Foundation nomination for Outstanding Chef. See which unique recipe this L.A. star chef will bring to the stage.

2:15 – 3 pm
Cooking Demonstration featuring Judy Han (partner and chef at Mendocino Farms and Blue Cow)
Judy has worked in some of the finest kitchens, including: Lucques, Koi and Literati II and uses the best local farmers for her recipes. Find out what she has in store for Labor Day Picnic.

2:30 – 3:15 pm
A Tour of California Appellations featuring:
Margaux Pierog, CSW (fine wine manager for Treasury Wine Estates)
Ira Norof, CWE (moderator and President of the Society of Wine Educators)
The California Viticultural Area expands from San Diego, Temecula and Paso Robles all the way up to Napa, Sonoma and Marin counties. Get to know this winemaking mecca and the grapes that make it famous.