This weekend, downtown LA came alive with Parisian culture at Le Grand Fooding, a culinary festival that brought together superstar chefs from both cities. Joined by my OCLA compatriot, Bertie, I tackled the gamut of gastronomic delights and had a merry time tasting and sampling countless bite-sized wonders. The night was filled with flutes of Veuve Clicquot––the champagne house also provided a very popular Foosball table––and impressive creations by chefs Jean-François Piège (Restaurant Jean-François Piège), Inaki Aizpitarte (Le Chateaubriand), Grégory Marchand (Frenchie), Sven Chartier (Saturne), Nancy Silverton (Mozza), Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec), Roy Choi (Kogi BBQ), Josef Centeno (Bäco Mercat), Jordan Kahn (Red Medicine), and Carolynn Spence (Château Marmont). Whew!
Among the show-stoppers was Nancy Silverton's grilled beef tagliata, served alongside rucola salad with parmigiano and aged balsamico. (The excitement for this dish was only exceeded by the line of people waiting to try it for themselves.) Other stand-outs: Josef Centeno's unbelievably fresh amberjack ceviche with lime, cara cara oranges, and watercress; Jean-Francois Paige's abstract but delicious "drinkable pizza"; and Sven Chartier's crab roll with beetroot and horseradish. To top the night off, Intelligentsia Coffee served espressos while Lemonade provided amazing desserts that included an out-of-this-world macaroon. The upbeat French tunes spun by DJs Jordan Lawlor of M83 and Mathieu Schreyer of KCRW kept the party going well into the night.
See you next year, Le Grand Fooding? Seriously. Please?
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Amberjack ceviche by Josef Centeno
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Grilled beef tagliata by Nancy Silverton
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Crab wrap by Sven Chartier
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Pulled lamb sliders by Gregory Marchand
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Short rib tacos from Roy Choi
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Chef Roy
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The most amazing macaroon by Lemonade
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Mathieu on the 1s and 2s
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Amy from Kitsuné and David from the OC Showroom
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Ana and Alex
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Leid
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Getting spiritual with Jordan of M83
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"J'aime Los Angeles" T-shirt designed by André Saraiva for the event. (Shepard Fai
Among the show-stoppers was Nancy Silverton's grilled beef tagliata, served alongside rucola salad with parmigiano and aged balsamico. (The excitement for this dish was only exceeded by the line of people waiting to try it for themselves.) Other stand-outs: Josef Centeno's unbelievably fresh amberjack ceviche with lime, cara cara oranges, and watercress; Jean-Francois Paige's abstract but delicious "drinkable pizza"; and Sven Chartier's crab roll with beetroot and horseradish. To top the night off, Intelligentsia Coffee served espressos while Lemonade provided amazing desserts that included an out-of-this-world macaroon. The upbeat French tunes spun by DJs Jordan Lawlor of M83 and Mathieu Schreyer of KCRW kept the party going well into the night.
See you next year, Le Grand Fooding? Seriously. Please?
Amberjack ceviche by Josef Centeno
Grilled beef tagliata by Nancy Silverton
Crab wrap by Sven Chartier
Pulled lamb sliders by Gregory Marchand
Short rib tacos from Roy Choi
Chef Roy
The most amazing macaroon by Lemonade
Mathieu on the 1s and 2s
Amy from Kitsuné and David from the OC Showroom
Ana and Alex
Leid
Getting spiritual with Jordan of M83
"J'aime Los Angeles" T-shirt designed by André Saraiva for the event. (Shepard Fai