Union Station Chief Executive Officer Katie Hill at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Masters of Taste Host Chefs Vanessa Tilaka Kalb and Thomas Kalb of Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Howard Kahn, Betsey Kahn, and Union Station Board Chair Charles Thuss at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Lizette Petrovich of Magpies Softserve at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Jesus Amezcua, Lauren Faerber, Gloria Rodriguez, and Derrick White at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Christian Miller, Mary Miller, Raelene Weiden, Rose Bowl Operating Company CEO Jens Weiden, Becky Vranes, and Steve Vranes at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Sandy Brooks and Dana Long at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Jizelle Staana, Colleen Lota, Malgy Blue, and Myra Marayag at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Michael and Queenie Reed of Poppy & Rose at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Levan Tat, Peggy Huang, and Jonathan Tat at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Candida and Brian League at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Diane Peterson-More, Nancy Davis, and Maxine Harris at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Frank and Rhonda Pinon at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Mishra and Gigi Sumit at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Noah Rosenthal, Nicole Rosenthal, Mercedes Blackehart, and Justin Chapman at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Bret Thomson of Pez Coastal Kitchen at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Leslie Kyle, Jordan Corngold, and Davis Buik at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Lea Cuvelier and Caitlyn Peralta at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Ally Gregory, Kellie Walter, and Jon Milon at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Claudia Roybal, Jovi Leyvas, Justin Leyvas, and Peter Roybal at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Suzy Ruiz, Christine Sarkisoff, and Alisa Asaro at the Masters of Taste in the Rose Bowl [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Masters of Taste returned to the field of the Rose Bowl Stadium on Sunday, transforming the iconic venue into a sprawling, sunlit tasting floor where thousands of guests moved from booth to booth sampling dishes, desserts and drinks from across Southern California—all while supporting Union Station Homeless Services.
Hosted this year by Chef Thomas and Cheesemonger Vanessa Tilaka Kalb of Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery in Old Pasadena, the event carried a distinctly local flavor. The couple, known for their ingredient-driven cooking and carefully assembled cheese boards, anchored a lineup that prominently featured Pasadena restaurants alongside a wide cross-section of Los Angeles dining. Attendees stopped at booths from Bone Kettle, Celestino Ristorante, Granville, Marina, Panda Inn, Pez Coastal Kitchen, Ramen Tatsunoya, Ubatuba Açaí, Sushi Roku and others, sampling everything from composed small plates to quick, bold bites designed for the walk-and-taste format.
Across the field, more than 100 “Culinary Masters” served dishes that ranged from wood-fired pizza and barbecue to Thai specialties, dim sum, Italian fare and sushi. Chefs from Arth Bar + Kitchen, BOA Steakhouse, Descanso, Emporium Thai, Fitoor Santa Monica, Maple Block Meat Co., Harold & Belle’s, Love & Salt, Paloma and Uchi West Hollywood were among those drawing steady lines, with guests comparing favorites and trading recommendations as they moved through the crowd.
Desserts proved to be a destination of their own. The “Sweet Masters” section drew attendees looking for a second—or third—round, offering everything from cakes and cookies to soft-serve, gelato and chocolates. Porto’s Bakery & Café and Magpies Softserve were among the most talked-about stops, with many guests lingering longer than planned.
Beverage stations were just as active, with craft cocktails, beer, wine and sake poured throughout the afternoon. Non-alcoholic offerings, including specialty coffee, aguas frescas and zero-proof drinks, provided a steady counterpoint, particularly as temperatures rose on the open field.
The festival’s social atmosphere—part garden party, part culinary showcase—was matched by its purpose. Masters of Taste is structured as a benefit for Union Station Homeless Services, the Pasadena-based nonprofit that coordinates homeless services across 38 San Gabriel Valley communities. Organizers again emphasized that all proceeds support the organization’s housing, outreach and support programs, part of a housing-first approach it says has helped the vast majority of its clients remain permanently housed.
Now in its eighth year, the event has become both a signature food gathering and a major local fundraiser. By late afternoon, as the final tastings wound down and guests filtered toward the exits, the field reflected both sides of that identity: a well-attended celebration of the region’s food culture and a continuing effort to channel that energy into support for one of Pasadena’s central social service organizations.
