Shana Wong, Host Chef Bret Thompson of Pez Cantina, and Michelle Goto at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Becky Ramirez, Martha Shorter-Ramirez, Host Chef Lucy Thompson-Ramirez of Pez Cantina, and Martha Shorter-Ramirez at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Christian and Sylvia Bier at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
David Turkell and Kate Moore at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Keisha, Rick Dennis, and Rick Dennis at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Ingrid Kuo, Julliet Abraham, Zoe Patino, and Sophia Patricio at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Mark and Jaime Marcaku at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pez Cantina food crew at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Loren Dearborn and Harry Morris at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Kevita Mullins, Elwood Matthews, and Raven Mullins at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Mara and Carlos Guzman at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Ai Fujii, Kari Rufca, Nick Rufca, and Paul Croce at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Front row: Thea Pham, Boya Gao, Mike Chen, Michael Gin; Back row: Deborah Hsieh, Fay Tiam, Han Wang, Jennet Chou, Kenny Chung, Ziyu Zhao, and Peter Zhang at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Margarita Herrera, Anna Barranco, and Robbin Turner at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Dan and Eleni Edon at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Jamie Torres, Gregory Frye, Joseph Carrillo, and Terry Fisher at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Dave and Janet Drucker at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Lou Slimp, Elaine Palmer, Union Station Homeless Services COO Amanda Green, Grace Ajilore, and Tom Drino at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Mark Gunn, Kayla Knierim, Jennifer Gunn, Michelle Mondragon, and Jennifer Brous at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Ed Perez and Hazel Perera at the 7th annual Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2024. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
More than 3,000 happy foodies and drinkies descended on the Rose Bowl Stadium Sunday afternoon for the sold-out 7th annual Masters of Taste event, which benefited Pasadena’s Union Station Homeless Services.
In addition to the thousands of guests, more than 100 chefs, mixologists, and bakers representing restaurants from all over Southern California served thousands of their favorite dishes and drinks to the hungry and happy crowd.
Offerings included American comfort food, Sushi, Italian, Thai, and Chinese food, along with desserts prepared by scores of master bakers. Bartenders stirred up their own concoctions from over 25 spirit brands and cocktail bars, wineries, and local craft breweries.
“I love this event,” said Olivia Wong, 32, of Los Angeles, who came to the event with girlfriends and workmates.
“We were here before the pandemic, and we have not missed since,” Wong said, balancing a slice of pizza and a red velvet cupcake, and a brightly colored cocktail.
As Union Station Chief Operations Officer Amanda Green explained, “Masters of Taste is actually the brainchild of supporters of Union Station. We were looking for a way to spread the word about Union Station, which is the largest such organization in the San Gabriel Valley. We needed more people to know about it, and what better way than to bring people to the field of the Rose Bowl?”
Green added that what makes the Union Station program stand out is its “Housing First” approach.
“We really want to make sure that we are reducing the hurdles to supporting our community,” she said, “and we have services all the way from outreach to interim housing to permanent housing, from the start to the end.”
Green also noted that more than 90% of clients who receive housing from Union Station retain their housing. One hundred percent of the proceeds from Sunday’s event will directly benefit Union Station, she added.
This year’s Masters of Taste participating restaurants included Pez Cantina Village and Pez Coastal Kitchen; Seafood Village by Santa Monica Seafood from 2024 event hosts Chef Bret Thompson & Lucy Thompson-Ramirez of Downtown Los Angeles, and Pasadena; 1212 Santa Monica and Chef Oliver Malmsten of Santa Monica; Arth Bar + Kitchen and Chef Mihir Lad from Culver City; Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery, and Chef Vanessa Tilaka Kalb & Chef Thomas Tilaka Kalb of Pasadena; as well as Alexander’s Steakhouse and Chef Frederico Villanueva of Pasadena; Ayara Thai and Chef Vanda Asapahu and Chef Cathy Asapahu of Westchester, along with dozens more.
Dessert creations were provided by, among others, Bachan’s Shave Ice, chocolate chip cookies from BAKE SOME NOISE, along with Beard Papa’s, Bertha Mae’s Brownies, By Faith Café, Gooey Center Bakery, Happy Ice LA, Läderach, and custom cakes from Cakes By Chanté.
