The Ultimate Foodie Sunday: Masters of Taste Returns to the Rose Bowl for 2026

Mark your calendars and prepare your appetites, Los Angeles! On Sunday, April 19, 2026, the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl Stadium will once again transform into the city’s premier outdoor luxury food and beverage festival. Want some of the Best Food Los Angeles has to offer, and for a good cause?

Masters of Taste is back for its eighth annual event, and it promises to be a spectacular afternoon of culinary excellence. From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, over 3,000 food and beverage enthusiasts will gather to sip, savor, and celebrate the very best of L.A.'s dining scene.

But this event isn’t just about incredible food—it’s about making a difference. 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a non-profit that has been fighting to end homelessness for over 50 years. With an impressive 97% success rate in permanently housing people, your ticket supports a vital cause in our community.

Meet Your 2026 Hosts

This year, the festival is hosted by the acclaimed husband-and-wife team, Chef Thomas and Chef Vanessa Tilaka Kalb of Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery. Known for their refined, ingredient-driven approach and mastery of cheese, they have made a massive impact on Pasadena’s modern dining scene. Their philosophy of "elevated Californian comfort food" sets the perfect tone for a day of indulgence.

The Lineup: A Culinary Adventure

Get ready to walk the field and taste your way through over 100 top Culinary Masters, Sweet Masters, and Beverage Masters. Here is a look at the incredible vendors you can expect to see in 2026:

Culinary Masters

Zira Uzbek Kitchen: Founded by Azim Rahmatov, this spot brings the authentic flavors and hospitality of Uzbekistan right to the heart of Los Angeles. zirauzbekkitchen.com

The Exchange Restaurant: Located in Freehand LA, this venue explores the multi-cultural flavors of urban LA through an Israeli lens. freehandhotels.com/los-angeles/the-exchange-restaurant/

Wife and the Somm: An intimate Glassell Park neighborhood spot by Chris and Christy Lucchese featuring an eclectic wine list and seasonal cuisine. wifeandthesomm.com

Sushi Roku: A pioneer of contemporary sushi that bridges tradition with innovation, incorporating diverse ingredients from Latin America and Europe. sushiroku.com

BOA Steakhouse: Reimagine the traditional American steakhouse with a modern lens, offering a bold, stylish, and immersive dining experience. boasteak.com

City Club Los Angeles: Dining in the sky! Chef Armando Quiroz brings a bold "West Coast flair" to this premier club with breathtaking city views. invitedclubs.com/clubs/city-club-los-angeles/dine

The Second Wind: A diverse Asian-inspired menu in El Segundo featuring craveable signatures like Pad Thai and flame-grilled Bulgogi. thesecondwindes.com

Agnes: Your hosts' home base! A modern American spot in Pasadena known for elevated comfort food and an incredible cheese selection. agnesla.com

The Italian Deli Co: A blend of traditional deli and modern trattoria, serving up authentic Roman-style pinsa and handmade pastas. theitaliandeli.co

Uchi West Hollywood: High-end, non-traditional Japanese dining by James Beard Award winner Chef Tyson Cole, featuring creative sushi and seasonal omakase. uchi.uchirestaurants.com/location/sushi-west-hollywood/

Emporium Thai: Voted one of the Top 100 Best Thai Restaurants in the US, known for its customizable spiciness scale and authentic Southern Thai flavors. ethaicuisine.com

Alexander’s Steakhouse: A fine-dining experience merging the classic American steakhouse with significant Japanese influences and premium Wagyu. alexanderssteakhouse.com/pasadena/

Celestino Ristorante: For over 20 years, Calogero Drago has treated Pasadena to authentic Italian cuisine with a strong Sicilian influence. celestinopasadena.com

Talia Kitchen: Located within Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, Chef Matt Steffen crafts nutritious, seasonal food that honors local farmers. murrieta-hotsprings.com/talia-kitchen/

Ramen Tatsunoya: Famous for authentic Tonkotsu ramen with broth simmered for over 15 hours, originating from the birthplace of Tonkotsu. tatsunoyausa.net

Poppy + Rose: A Downtown LA favorite for elevated country-style brunch, including their famous Chicken & Waffles. poppyandrose.com

Paradise Dynasty: This Singapore-based chain brings its famous colorful, multi-flavored xiao long bao (soup dumplings) to the U.S. paradisegp.com/usa/

La Paloma Cafe: A historic Santa Barbara spot known for wood-fired California cuisine and "deep, smoky flavors." lapalomasb.com

Chaaste Family Market: A beloved Pasadena staple since 1987, serving authentic Filipino comfort food like adobo and turon. chaaste-family-market.square.site

Fitoor Santa Monica: A vibrant, contemporary Indian grill & lounge offering modern cuisine with coastal California influences. eatdrinkfitoor.com

Granville: Globally inspired comfort food using fresh, quality ingredients with a popular rooftop bar in Pasadena. granvillerestaurants.com

Porto's Bakery & Cafe: An iconic Southern California institution famous for Potato Balls™, cheese rolls, and Cuban sandwiches. portosbakery.com

Lunasia Dim Sum House: A refined dining experience offering modern Cantonese dim sum made fresh to order. lunasiadimsum.com

Mama M Sushi: A family-rooted spot blending Japanese sushi with unique Thai influences for flavorful fusion rolls. themamamsushi.com

Maple Block Meat Co: Authentic wood-smoked meats and classic Texas-style BBQ traditions right here in LA. mapleblockmeat.com

Mercado: Elevated, authentic Mexican cuisine with a lively atmosphere and an extensive tequila/mezcal selection. cocinasycalaveras.com/mercado

Arth Bar & Kitchen: Pioneering contemporary Indian cuisine with a modern edge and bold flavors in a sophisticated setting. arthla.com

Angelenos Wood Fired Pizza: Neapolitan-style pizzas with a variety of toppings, including Mexican and French-inspired sauces. angelenoswfp.com

Bone Kettle: A Southeast Asian kitchen and bar in Old Town Pasadena, famous for family recipes and bone broth. bonekettle.com

Sweet Masters

Magpies Soft Serve: Scratch-made, creative soft-serve ice cream and inventive "Softserve Pies" with plenty of vegan options. magpiessoftserve.com

All About The Cinnamon: Gooey, hand-rolled cinnamon buns inspired by old school hip hop and a passion for baking. allaboutthecinnamon.com

Pazzo Gelato: Artisanal dairy and non-dairy gelato made in small batches with the best local ingredients. pazzogelato.net

Bertha Mae's Brownie Co.: A historic family recipe from 1880 brings you the tastiest, most nostalgic brownies imaginable. berthamaesbrownies.com

Nothing Bundt Cakes: The #1 specialty cake company in the U.S., baking happiness into every bite for over 27 years. nothingbundtcakes.com

Lark Cake Shop: Silver Lake’s favorite bakery known for stylized, simple, and delicious retro-style cakes and treats. larkcakeshop.com

Cakes By Chante: Specializing in moist, custom desserts, including the self-proclaimed "best Red Velvet Cake in town." cakesbychante.com

A Guide to Exceptional Sips: Spirits, Wines, and Brews to Know

Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur, a wine lover, or a craft beer enthusiast, there is a wealth of unique brands crafting exceptional beverages today. From Japanese whiskies born from alpine waters to Colombian-inspired ales in California, here is a curated list of standout beverage producers you should have on your radar.

Shinju Japanese Whisky: Born from the slopes of Mt. Fuji, Shinju—meaning "Pearl"—uses pristine alpine water to create a whisky known for its unique smoothness. Co-founded by Janon Costley and Raymond Edwards Jr., Shinju honors Japanese tradition while offering a fresh perspective on the category.https://www.shinjuwhisky.com/

The Raymond 1886: Located in Pasadena, The Raymond 1886 is a historic landmark housed in the former caretaker's cottage of the grand Raymond Hotel. Today, it stands as an upscale Modern American restaurant and renowned craft cocktail bar, celebrated for its innovative mixology and charming Craftsman setting.https://theraymond1886.com/history/

Empress 1908 Gin: Handcrafted by Victoria Distillers, Empress 1908 Gin is famous for its striking natural indigo color, derived from butterfly pea blossoms. This unique gin transforms from deep blue to soft pink when mixed with citrus, offering a delicate blend of botanicals perfect for colorful cocktails.https://empressgin.com/

Subourbon Life: Founded by Jen Hardell to make bourbon more accessible, Subourbon Life offers ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails featuring 6-year barrel-aged bourbon. With flavors like Pink Lemonade and Piña Colada, these non-carbonated drinks are designed for refreshing, social sipping.https://subourbonlife.com/

Old Hillside Bourbon Company: A Black, veteran-owned brand with roots in Durham, NC, Old Hillside honors the legacy of Black jockeys and Hillside High School. They produce smooth, non-chill filtered Kentucky bourbons and rye whiskeys with notes of caramel and vanilla.https://www.oldhillsidebourboncompany.com/

Sunright Tea Studio: Blending Taiwanese tea culture with Southern California vibes, Sunright Tea Studio offers high-quality fruit and milk teas. Their signature method involves shaking the beverage 17 times to perfectly blend flavors and textures.https://www.snrtea.com/

Xoloitzcuintle Tequila: Named after the sacred Aztec dog believed to guide souls, this premium tequila is crafted in the Jalisco highlands. Using 100% blue agave and traditional methods, Xoloitzcuintle delivers a clean, vibrant profile available in Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo expressions.https://www.drinkxolo.com/home

Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal: Born from a college project by founders Carlos Soto and Michael Arbanas, Nosotros blends Costa Rican and Mexican cultures. This small-batch brand focuses on sustainability and innovative processes, such as aging tequila in French oak.https://nosotrostequila.com/

Dulce Vida Tequila: Hailing from the Jalisco Highlands, Dulce Vida produces organic, 100% Blue Weber Agave tequila with no additives. Known for its purity and vibrant flavor, the brand offers high-proof and infused options ideal for margaritas.https://www.dulcevidaspirits.com/

Mario's Hard Espresso: Based on a 50-year-old Sicilian family recipe, Mario's Hard Espresso is a handcrafted coffee liqueur. It blends 100% Arabica dark roast espresso with vanilla and cane sugar for a smooth, rich drink that lacks the harsh bite of mass-market alternatives.https://www.drinkmarios.com/

Stephen Hemmert Wines: This micro-winery in Lancaster, CA, specializes in small batches of unique varietals like Tannat and Verdelho. Founded by Stephen Hemmert and Nicole St. Julian, they offer a personal tasting experience in a converted tire store.https://www.stephenhemmertwines.com/

San Simeon Wines: Produced by the Riboli Family, San Simeon Wines are estate-grown and sustainably farmed on California's Central Coast. Their portfolio includes terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays shaped by ocean-cooled vineyards.https://www.sansimeonwines.com/

LMA Wines: Specializing in the wines of Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe, LMA Wines imports and distributes boutique labels to the US. Their curated catalog features over 35 wineries, bringing the best of Mexican viticulture to American glasses.https://www.lmawines.com/agegate.php

CRŪ Winery: Focused on the Central Coast, CRŪ Winery crafts high-quality wines from SIP-certified sustainable vineyards. With a tasting room in Soledad, they are known for their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Albariño.https://cruwinery.com/

Ascension Cellars: A boutique winery in Paso Robles, Ascension Cellars creates handcrafted Rhône and Bordeaux-style blends. They emphasize organic grapes and minimal intervention to let the terroir shine in every bottle.https://ascensioncellars.com/

San Fernando Brewing Co.: A family-owned fixture in the San Fernando Valley, this brewery offers a welcoming industrial taproom and diverse beers, from cucumber pale ales to robust stouts.https://angelenoswfp.com/

Mt. Lowe Brewing Co.: Located in Arcadia, Mt. Lowe Brewing Co. is an award-winning microbrewery known for its family-friendly atmosphere and beers that nod to local history.http://www.mtlowebrewing.com/

Cervecería del Pueblo: This Pasadena-based brewery draws inspiration from Colombia, using South American ingredients like yerba mate and tropical fruits to create unique lagers and ales in a vibrant, community-focused setting.https://www.cerveceriadelpueblo.com/

Boomtown Brewery: A staple of the Downtown LA Arts District, Boomtown Brewery is known for its unfiltered, old-world-style ales and lagers served in a space that celebrates local art and creativity.

Ticket Information

Don’t miss out on the most mouthwatering event of the year!

• Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026

• VIP Hour: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• General Admission: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Age: 21+ Event

Visit Their Site https://mastersoftastela.com/

Early Bird Tickets are on sale now and exclusively available through the official Masters of Taste App (available on the AppStore or Google Play).

For more information, visit MastersofTasteLA.com/tickets.

We will see you there! I hope you guys are hungry!!

Matthew Tropp | Food Journal Magazine