Masters of Taste Returns to Pasadena's Rose Bowl to Help End Homelessness

This year's Masters of Taste will return for their 4th annual festival on Sunday, April 7 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The event started to benefit Union Station Homeless Services has really grown in the past years.

I recently attended a preview event featuring some of the culinary, beverage and dessert masters from the upcoming event. All of the food and drinks we had that night were from restaurants or brands that will be serving at the event.
The bartenders at Raymond 1886 created this cocktail for the welcome reception: Kami of Dawn (Ki No Bi dry gin, lemon juice, yuzu syrup, passion fruit, green chartreuse, coedo marihana

Because of the rain, we got to enjoy our preview dinner inside the Rose Bowl's visitor locker room. It was pretty cool!


We started from some coctel de camaron from Chef Jonathan Aviles at Salazar paired with mezcal from Nuestra Soledad

Next is seafood gumbo from Preux & Proper with a red ale from San Fernando Brewing Co.

Seared sea trout, Chef Jon Hung (The Raymond 1886) paired with the San Simeon Sauvignon Blanc from San Antonio Winery

There will a host chef for this year's Masters of Taste, and it is none other than Chef Michael Hung, who is now back at Faith and Flower. The event's cause is a cause that is close to Chef Michael Hung's heart. He shared a story with us that evening that we had not known before. Chef Michael Hung was actually homeless for a time in San Francisco a few years ago, when a fire destroyed his home and all the things he owned. He understands that homelessness is something that can happen to anyone (just think of the recent fires in the LA area!) and USHS' services really help not only to provide temporary housing but for these people to rebuild their lives.

For the preview Michael Hung made this roasted prime sirloin with an incredible pastry cup of mashed peas. This was paired with a Cabernet Sauvignon, also from San Antonio Winery.

You can look forward to cupcakes from Lark Cake Shop, like the one we had. This was paired with a strawberry brandy from Ventura Spirits.

Chocolate truffles from Mignon Chocolates for us to take home.


The other Culinary Masters this year include Cento Pasta Bar, the new Kass, Lunasia,  Rappahanock Oyster Bar, Alexander's Steakhouse, Celestino, and Bone Kettle, among others.

For beverages there will be drinks from Amaro Angeleno, Selvarey Rum, Hitching Post Winery, Indie Brewing Company, cocktails from Otono, and more. There will also be some unalcoholic drinks from Matcha Matcha, DRY Sparkling Soda, Califia Farms and Honey Drop Lemonade.


General admission tickets are $105 per person with access to the festival from 4-7pm with unlimited food and beverage tastings. VIP admission is $165 and grants early access at 3pm, access to VIP lounge and seating, and limited release tastings.
All proceeds go to the programs to end homelessness and rebuild lives at Union Station Homeless Services.