Get ready, my fellow epicureans! We’re diving headfirst into the Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival (LAWFF), where the extraordinary fusion of flavors meets the chaotic harmony of art, all against the dazzling backdrop of the Santa Monica Pier from March 1st to 3rd, 2024. Mark your calendars, clear your schedules, and prepare your palates for a weekend of sensory delights of the most exquisite kind.

LAWFF recently a preview party at the beautiful Neuehouse in Venice Beach. The Hollywood Home was more than happy to be invited and if that event is any indication of what’s to come at the festival we’re all in for a decadent three days of deliciousness at the main event.

Photos from the LA Wine & Food Festival Media Preview Tasting

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And let me be the first to tell you, this isn’t your standard food and wine affair; it’s a full-on celebration of the wild, the weird, and the wonderful in food – California style. It’s also a celebration of the eclectic tapestry of California’s locales, the vibrant personalities of our best chefs, and the bounty of our amazing produce, all intertwined with a sprinkle of art, entertainment, and giving back.

Let’s delve into the soul of the festival – the remarkable lineup of chefs. We’re talking 90 culinary maestros, with 16 headliners ready to craft an unparalleled dining experience. But here’s the kicker – LAWFF is putting a spotlight on the fantastic female-owned restaurants in LA, in collaboration with their partners at Regarding Her (RE:Her), a non-profit dedicated to uplifting women in the food and beverage industry. I’m always saluting the unsung heroines of the kitchen, so this particular festival holds a special place in my heart.

And hold onto your knives because LAWFF is benefitting not one but two incredible L0s Angeles non-profits. The second? They’re proudly backing The Artist Plate Project, a charitable initiative supporting the Coalition for the Homeless. In connection with Frieze Los Angeles, The Artist Plate Project, an activation founded by Michelle Hellman, will feature at the event following its sold-out iteration at Frieze New York 2023 fifty limited-edition plates designed by world-renowned artists, including Virgil Abloh, Rashid Johnson, Takashi Murakami, and Amy Sherald. They will be on display and available for attendees to purchase. Proceeds will directly benefit the organization, and provide food, crisis services, housing, and other critical aid to thousands of people experiencing homelessness and instability.

Let’s dissect the juicy details of what awaits you at LAWFF below, including all the chefs, restaurants, DJs, and artists set for this amazing beachside weekend of wine and wonderful food:

First up, tickets provide an all inclusive experience where California food and culture collide. Enjoy unlimited wine, spirits, cocktails, and food, while VIP ticket holders enjoy one-hour early event access plus entry to exclusive bites and drinks in the VIP lounge.

CHEFS

Los Angeles Wine and Food Festival’s diverse group of headliners celebrate the rich diversity and vibrancy of the Los Angeles culinary scene. Talent includes:

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• Adam Perry Lang
• Adam Richman
• Alex Guarnaschelli
• Alvin Cailan
• Andrew Zimmern
• Ben Ford

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• Claudette Zepeda
• Duff Goldman
• Geoffrey Zakarian
• Jeff Mauro
• Justin Pichetrungsi

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• Natalia Vallejo
• Stephanie Izard
• Timothy Hollingsworth
• Melba Wilson

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Additional participating restaurant and talent include Los Angeles favorites such as Pizzana, Jitlada, Holbox, Donna’s, Bridgetown Roti, Jet Tila, Ronan, Love Hour, Crudo e Nudo, Isla, Hotville Chicken, BADMAASH, Xuntos, Pop’s Bagels, and many, many more. Get up close and personal with the talented individuals behind America’s top kitchens and gain insight into their unique stories, traditions, and techniques at LAWFF. Don’t miss your chance to indulge and connect with the best of Southern California’s culinary scene. See who’s participating this year over at LAWFF.

LIVE MUSIC

Centered right in the heart of all the action, their live music stage will feature a unique DJ on each festival day! In honor of the festival occurring right at the start of Women’s History Month, the fest is stoked to share that all their DJs are women. Feel free to let loose on the dance floor or take a breather in one of the area’s elegant lounge areas.

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Friday, March 1st – DJ Millie Kick off the weekend with the sick beats of DJ Millie, setting the stage for a weekend of culinary mayhem. Shake it on the dance floor or kick back with a cold one. Effortlessly cool in vibe and music taste, she’ll make sure that we start the festival on the right note.

Saturday, March 2nd – DJ Orange Calderon Feeling the Saturday night fever? DJ Orange Calderon is here to spin the LAWFF set, so lace up your boots and hit the floor.

Sunday, March 3rd – DJs Mango & Ginger Close out the festival with a bang, courtesy of the dynamic duo – Mango & Ginger. Expect a mind-blowing set with Afro-Latinx flair, straight from their Brazilian roots.

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SPACES

Venice Beach & Santa Monica Room SoCal’s beach communities are the pinnacle of sun-drenched relaxation and ultra-chill sports—you either skate, surf, or admire someone who does. A trip to Venice is never complete without pausing to be mesmerized by the skateboarders in the pit—or to brave the bowl yourself! In this room celebrating our city’s beachfront communities, this culture shines bright. Drink in the displays of local artwork and skateboard installations while feasting on the daily creations of the chefs!

Hollywood Room Whether you like to spend your weekends hiking the Hollywood hills or sipping a cocktail on the hottest new rooftop bar, this room captures the culinary and aesthetic heart of our beloved City of Stars. In addition to the daily food and beverage offerings, you can enjoy an immersive photo opportunity posing with an old school car—perfect for cruising down Sunset with the windows down and music blasting.

Artist Plate Project The Artist Plate Project stands as a beacon of creativity and compassion, aimed at supporting those facing homelessness and instability. This unique activation features dinner plates adorned with the work of world-renowned artists, each piece a testament to the power of art to enact change. Guests can purchase these exquisite plates, with proceeds directly benefiting the Coalition for the Homeless. This initiative not only showcases artistic excellence but also offers a tangible way to contribute to critical aid, food, housing, and crisis services for thousands in need.

PUNK! Room Enter the PUNK! ROOM for a dose of timeless rebellion. Get your punk fix with themed cocktails and rotating headlining chefs. Local Artist Spotlight: Graffiti Is So Punk Rock. Catch John P., a local graffiti artist, creating a dynamic mural capturing LA’s spirit throughout the festival weekend.

Yaamava’s VIP Lounge Feeling lucky? Immerse yourself in the opulent glamor of the renowned Yaamava Resort & Casino by stepping into our exclusive VIP Lounge. Yaamava’s very own esteemed chefs will be stationed in the lounge to provide exclusive plates of their gourmet fare. All the while, you can enjoy premium wines, access to the private bar, and top-tier service. With the room’s luxe decor, you’ll feel just like James Bond ordering a martini in Casino Royale.

Sweet Room For all you sugar junkies out there, dive into a candy-filled room featuring local chefs’ desserts. Don’t forget to snap a pic with the massive candy wall – it’s a sugar-fueled dream come true!

Local Artist Spotlight: Food Becomes Art Ananas Ananas is turning fruits into bio material sheets, creating an immersive installation at the LAWFF Sweet Room. Stroll through these structures and experience the evolving colors and textures, echoing the artist’s message of embracing the transient nature of art.

So, mark your calendars and prepare for a weekend of culinary culinary revelations, soulful tunes, and artistic wonders. LAWFF isn’t just an everyday food and wine festival; it’s a journey into the heart of flavor, the hidden gems, the unknown, and the electrifying magic that happens when food meets art and takes center stage. See you on the Santa Monica Pier – where this of quintessentially Los Angeles garden earthly delights begins!

The inaugural Los Angeles Wine and Food Festival is produced by IMG in conjunction with a21, the agency behind Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, SOBEWFF and NYCWFF, and many more food festival favorites. Tickets below!