March 22, 2014: Grill & Chill at the All-Star Chef Classic
Updated on November 18, 2014
On March 21-23, 2014, 25 chefs from across the country and around the world are gathering for the All-Star Chef Classic, a three-day modern food event taking place at L.A. LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles. Celebrated chefs and the rising stars they have mentored will showcase their culinary mastery in two unique venues: Restaurant Stadium™ and The Chefs’ Tasting Arena™. The former welcomes over 250 guests “kitchen-side” in an intimate VIP setting, while the latter features a more expansive layout and a market-style experience with family-style seating.
Grill & Chill presented by dineLA is an international cookout taking place on Saturday, March 22 from 7:30-10 p.m. Grill & Chill celebrates the many ways that different cultures embrace the experience of cooking over an open flame, featuring chefs Roy Choi, Michael Cimarusti, Ludo Lefebvre, Jon Shook, Ricardo Zarate and more. Along with delicious tastings, admission includes alcoholic beverages, and recipe ideas. For those looking to beat the crowds, there is a VIP ‘Diamond’ ticket that gets guests in 60 minutes early with VIP access to the Chefs’ Tasting Arena™.
Following are Los Angeles restaurants where you can experience the acclaimed culinary creations of Grill & Chill participating chefs.
Chego
Los Angeles native Roy Choi is one of the city’s true ambassadors, from co-founding the groundbreaking Kogi BBQ Truck to the Caribbean-style Sunny Spot, his recent cookbook/memoir, L.A. Son and his latest venture, POT at The Line. Named one of Food & Wine’s “Best New Chefs” in 2010, the classically-trained Choi opened his first sit-down restaurant, Chego, in April 2010. The casual eatery was an instant hit, serving “LA-in-a-rice bowl” mashups like the Chubby Pork Belly (kochujang-lacquered Kurobuta rice bowl), Sour Cream Hen House (marinated grilled chicken), and “snacks” like Ooey Gooey Fries and 3PM Meatballs. In May 2013, Choi moved Chego from its original Palms location on the Westside, to Chinatown in Downtown LA.
727 North Broadway #117 Los Angeles, CA 90012//} ?>
A-Frame
In November 2010, Choi opened his “modern picnic” concept, A-Frame, in Culver City. The playful Asian-inflected menu - served in a striking space that formerly housed an IHOP - ranges from furikake kettle corn and sesame leaf-wrapped shrimp tempura, to “Octopi L.A.” (charred octopus) and hoisin chili-glazed baby back ribs. The “Fried Chicken Picnic,” only available during weekend lunch or Monday dinner, is one of LA’s best all-you-can-eat deals.
12565 Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90066//} ?>
Providence
Michael Cimarusti is one of the most highly regarded and respected chefs in the country. His superlative LA resume includes chef de cuisine at the legendary Spago, executive chef at Water Grill, and his current role as partner/chef of the two Michelin-starred Providence. Cimarusti, a perennial James Beard Award nominee, is also a constant presence at fundraising events, donating his time to worthy causes such as L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade. Opened in 2005, Providence is regarded as one of the best seafood restaurants in the country, a refined dining experience showcased in five- or nine-course tasting menus, as well as Cimarusti’s celebrated Chef’s Menu, spanning some 16 courses.
5955 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038//} ?>
Cimarusti opened Connie and Ted’s, his homage to New England seafood shacks, in June 2013. Named for the grandparents who took a young Cimarusti fishing in Rhode Island, Connie and Ted’s is located in a stunning space in West Hollywood. More casual and affordable than Providence, Connie and Ted’s maintains Cimarusti’s culinary standards with a stellar raw bar, catch of the day, and favorites like Jo’s Wicked Good Chowda’, Angels on Horseback (bacon-wrapped oysters), lobster roll, and a bountiful New England Boiled Dinner.
Trois Mec
From helming the kitchens of the acclaimed L’Orangerie and Bastide (both earned the prestigious Mobil Travel Guide Five Star Award), to his wildly popular LudoBites series of pop-up restaurants and his current stint as a judge on The Taste, Ludo Lefebvre continues to make a considerable impact on the culinary scene in LA and beyond. In April 2013, Lefebvre teamed with Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo to open his first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Trois Mec. Located in a minimall off Highland Avenue near Melrose, the intimate restaurant offers guests who are lucky enough to score a presale ticket a five-course dinner for $75.
716 N Highland Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038//} ?>
LudoBird
Lefebvre opened LudoBird at the world-famous STAPLES Center in October 2013, serving the same buttermilk Provençal fried chicken that was showcased at his popular LudoTruck. Located next to Section 101 on the Main Concourse, LudoBird offers dark and white meat options, a fried chicken sandwich, popcorn chicken, honey garlic glazed wings, and sides such as Ludo Slaw, honey lavender biscuits, potato salad, and house-made Ludo Chips.
1111 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015//} ?>
Animal
The partnership of Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo began over a decade ago in culinary school. Their Caramelized Productions catering company became a breakthrough success, leading to their 2 Dudes Catering show on the Food Network and an award-winning cookbook, Two Dudes, One Pan. With their catering company going strong, the duo opened Animal in the Fairfax district in June 2008. The accolades quickly followed, including a 2009 James Beard Award nomination for Best New Restaurant, and the duo being named “Best New Chefs” by Food & Wine, and “Rising Star Chefs” by Star Chefs. Animal’s famed munchies for carnivores include dishes such as oxtail gravy poutine; pig ears with fried egg, chili, lime; and crispy sweetbread with JW’s black sriracha.
435 North Fairfax Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90036//} ?>
Son of a Gun Restaurant
Shook and Dotolo followed on their widely-praised restaurant debut a few years later with Son of a Gun, which opened on Third Street in February 2011. Compared to Animal’s minimalist interior, the Son of a Gun decor is downright jaunty, featuring wood panels and numerous nautical items, such as life preservers, fish, anchors and more. The menu is likewise sea-focused, with fresh and seasonal items that include raw Ora King Salmon with jerk spice; uni with burrata and yuzu; shrimp toast with sriracha mayo; black sea bream; and back on land, a standout fried chicken sandwich.
8370 W. 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048//} ?>
Ricardo Zarate is a pioneering and influential member of LA’s vibrant, multicultural culinary scene. Born in Lima, Peru, Zarate first garnered attention after opening the original Mo-Chica in a humble Downtown location in 2009. Zarate’s rise to culinary stardom shifted into high gear with the opening of Picca in June 2011. Picca received immediate praise from local and national press, including being named one of GQ Magazine’s "Best New Restaurants" and a Condé Naste Traveler “Hot Table.” Zarate's unofficial role of Peruvian culinary ambassador was secured after being named one of Food & Wine’s “Best New Chefs” in 2011. Located on Pico Boulevard near Beverly Hills, Picca is a lively showcase for Zarate’s modern, Japanese-influenced Peruvian cuisine. The 50-item menu ranges from anticuchos (skewers) and causa sushi to a 32-ounce sous vide rib eye, with everything meant to be shared and passed around the table.
Following the summer 2012 re-launch of Mo-Chica in a new Downtown LA location, Zarate opened his third restaurant, Paiche, in Marina del Rey in April 2013. Named for an Amazonian fish, Paiche boasts a sleek, oceanic design with an open kitchen and curved cocktail bar. The “Peruvian izakaya” features a small plates menu with Zarate’s signature Peruvian and Japanese elements, with dishes meant for sharing as well as for pairing with the globally-influenced cocktails.