The Taste kicks off, stay hungry

Lasagna verde with meat ragu and spinach, served by Gino Elizabeth Angelini. (Patrick T. Fallon / For the Times)

Aug. 31, 2013 8:27 AM PT

Some of L.A.’s most interesting chefs along with Times Food section editors and writers appeared at a private party Friday night to kick off The Taste, a two-day gathering of L.A.’s top food personalities. Yes, it was hot and sticky on the Paramount Studios lot, but ice-cold lattes from Handsome Coffee, Mozza’s buddino, ceviche from Fishing with Dynamite and frosty Stella Artois all helped.

Chef David LeFevre hands out tastes of Thai-style shrimp ceviche at the 2013 event. (Patrick T. Fallon / For the Times)

Guests arrive for the opening night of the Los Angeles Times “The Taste” food and wine festival 2013 on the Paramount Studios backlot in Hollywood. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Braised veal cheeks with Gorgonzola from Oliverio at Avalon Hotel, at opening night of the Los Angeles Times “The Taste” food and wine festival. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

People arrive on opening night of the Los Angeles Times “The Taste” food and wine festival. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

A Hoegaarden beer is poured during opening night of the L.A. Times’ “The Taste” food and wine fest. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Beatles tribute band, Britain’s Finest, performs. (Patrick T. Fallon / For the Times)

Chef Susan Feniger and L.A. Times food editor Russ Parsons during opening night of the Times’ “The Taste” food and wine fest last year.

(Patrick T. Fallon/ For The Times)

Butterscotch Budino, with a rosemary pine nut cookie, from Pizzeria Mozza at the 2013 event. (Patrick T. Fallon / For the Times)

Peanut butter cake topped with a concord grape macaron from Bagatelle during opening night of the Times’ “The Taste” food and wine festival. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Butter raspberry cream rodeo cronets from The Blvd during opening night of the Times’ “The Taste” food and wine festival. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Guests mingle on the backlot near the Paramount Water Tower during opening night of the Times’ “The Taste” food and wine fest. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Cinnamon used to make a Baileys Irish horchata colada during opening night of “The Taste” food and wine fest. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Cider-braised chorizo on a chickpea puree with piquillo pepper relish and a salsa verde from Taberna Arros y Vi, of Santa Monica, during opening night of “The Taste” in 2013. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Mole Coloradito con Pollo from Guelaguetza Restaurant. (Patrick T. Fallon / For the Times)

Guests, Chefs, and LA Times Culinary Writers join LA Times President and CEO Kathy Thomson and LA Times Editor Davan Maharaj, right. (Patrick T. Fallon / For the Times)

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The Taste kicks off, stay hungry

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