Chefs Michael and Kwini Reed of Poppy & Rose Rich Wrightington, Jackie Benavente, Jennifer Ordonio, Lexie Benavente, Alan Benevente at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Chefs Vanda and Cathy Asapahu of Ayari Thai at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Tony Moore and Stevenson Greenen at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Tintin Beligan, Angela Channell, Jennifer Hum, and Christy Lee at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Kevin Vanegas of Woodford Reserve at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Jared Gonzales, Shawn Sauerwein at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Audrey Roney, Kris Morsink, Robby Gomez, and Chris Lewis of Nosotros Tequila and Mezcal at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Veronica Lopez of Tequila Jugos Mexicanos at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Maddie Debbie, Audrey Levy, Emily Eich, and Grace Budgett at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Lynda Moore, Bobby Childs, Adrienne Ludd, Robin Bradford, and Edie Moore Olsen at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Poppy & Seed bartender Lester Cuevas at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Emma Greenham, Ingrid Kuo, Sophia Patricio, and Yasmine Kovac of Nothing Bundt Cake at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Rileah Vanderbilt and Jess Joswick at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Prashanth Pandian, Bobak Ferdowsi at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Anndrea Nelson, Ernie Lozano, Jennifer Klinck, Michael Nelson, and Eric Lozano at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
K. Owen and Crystal Aceves at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
James Humphrey of Mezcal 33 at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Taylor Grant and Brogan Griffin at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Joe Grasso, Sarah Zimmerman, and Archie Ciotti of Mario’s Hard Espresso at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Lisa Ashworth-McMullen and Allen McMullen at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Angeline Lam and Jonathan Vong of Better Together Sweets at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Mark Carrasco-Wu, Shih-wei Carrasco-Wu, Linda Cheung at Masters of taste on April 2, 2023. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
The lines began forming early outside the Rose Bowl Sunday afternoon as more than 100 restaurants brought their best to one of the largest premier food events in Southern California, the sixth annual Masters of Taste event, to benefit Union Station Homeless Services.
Everything from Lobster Risotto to seared steak and seafood, to duck confit tacos, to a wave of chocolate desserts, pies and sweet concoctions were devoured by thousands at the sold-out event.
“We could not do the work that we do without the many who support us each year, by donating or becoming members,” said Anne Miskey, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services—which celebrated its 50th year of service this year—“and Masters of Taste brings us all together for fun and food, and a really important cause.”
Over the last 5 years, Masters of Taste has raised over $2 million dollars to benefit Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena, as they help rebuild the lives of families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Chef Michael Reed and Kwini Reed of Poppy + Rose and Poppy & Seed, served as the host chefs for this year’s sold-out event.
The classically trained chef and restaurateur grew up around the barbeque and the smell of fresh, homemade pies. His family cooked every day, pulling ingredients straight from the garden which went on to inspire Michael’s passion for food and hospitality.
Wife Kwini Reed a Southern California native, wife, mother, and entrepreneur, graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, representing over a decade of experience in business, finance, and human resource management.
Hungry foodies gorged themselves on items like steak tartare, wagyu beef cheeseburgers, chili dogs, dim sum, sushi, Thai specialties, designer cocktails and a spectacular mountain of desserts from a wide range of restaurants, including churros from Porto’s and strawberry pies from I Like Pie.
Miskey said Union Station Homeless Services is dedicated to its work to secure housing for thousands of homeless people in the San Gabriel Valley over the past decade, and has provided permanent housing for 1,600 formerly homeless local residents.
