In the vast and widespread sprawl of Los Angeles, it’s not easy to manoeuvre your mouth around the unlimited list of Must-DO Restaurants, Trucks, Bars, Pop-ups and Chefs, yet to experience. Not unless you attended the highly acclaimed Food Festival, The Taste of Beverly Hills, that is.

On Labour Day weekend the Food Heavens opened, and a passionate herd of Foodie fanatics gathered behind the Beverly Hilton Hotel, to experience days and evenings of local wine tastings, cooking demonstrations from the nations most renowned chefs, live musical entertainment, but most importantly, unlimited Food, from some of the most popular, upcoming restaurants and chefs in the city.

So you will no doubt understand why my face was smeared with a permanent smile from ear to ear, when I attended the special food session, Date Night. While filming for my new upcoming show, The Gourmet Travelista, (watch this space!…), I got to pick the brains of LA’s most sought after chefs, surrounded by an exciting ambience of intrigued & hungry faces, which you only ever see when Food is in the Air….

Chef Ludovic Lefebvre, was the perfect mix of charm, energy, and priceless french humor as he told me with his tantilising tattoed arms, about his love for Surf, California produce, secret Mexican joints, and favourite Five Guys Burgers & Fries Restaurant, as well as firmly assuring me, that he’ll never open a restaurant, as his pop-ups were far too pleasurable. Well, who wants to slave day and night in the same kitchen, when you can show up in someone else’s and have fully booked tables for weeks at a time?! Man’s a genius

But let’s get to the FOOOD.  Here are my creative favourites:

A Grandmother’s recipe from Valencia, by the Blvd Spanish chef.

FIDAU: small flat noodles, black ink squid, calamari, spot prawns, and garlic, topped with honey alioli.(beautifully presented in a humongous paella dish.)

How I stopped myself from going back a 4^th time, I have no idea….)

Beet Gnocci & Ricotta from Angelini. Melt in your mouth magnificient.

Mo’Chica’s Ricardo Zarate and partner in crime, French Sebastien, cooked up Peruvian perfection from their trendy Taste Kitchen….

SIMON LA mustered up Maine Lobster & Truffle Pot Pie

Unknown, Guelaguetza, wowed crowds with their magical Mole.

Nancy Silverton’s Budin at Mozza, ran out before I could try….but her rosemary pinenut cookies were still exceptional.

Braised Pork Cheeks , hand hocked risotto and red frill mustard greens from The Filling Station.

It’s not just steak at Boa: Black Truffle and Goat Cheese Backlava.

The Best Beet Soup of my life: Petrossian.

We are awaiting the opening of L’Epicerie in Culver City: What a jamon!  

Desserts came in the form of Chocolate mousse, Rasberry Squares, Zucchini Mousse Dessert and Hazelnut Mousse Smores at Delphine…..