Target's Merimekko & Banana Republic's Timo Weiland Spring 2016 Collections.

By Laura Medina

 https://us.marimekko.com/marimekko-for-target

Spring has sprung at both Target and Banana Republic.

Marimekko had a fabric in the heart of Beverly Hills, mis-believing that upscale, glamorously busy residents have the intelligence, the talent, the time, and the energy to home-sew their own clothes.  At least, they hoped those residents would buy the bolt of fabric then take it to their tailors to make them singular, couture outfits....wrong.

Now, Marimekko is resurfacing with surf-ready, Spring Break/Coachella ready pieces and picnic/homeware at Target, as Target's latest limited designer collection,  https://us.marimekko.com/marimekko-for-target

They got psychedelic colors in Merimekko Mod bold prints in tunics, ready for Palm Springs's poolside and Coachella ready.  Enough to give Trina Turk envy but only for this year's Spring Season.

Hey...surf's summer for Spring Break and Summer vacay.

Marimekko and Target to collaborate in a design partnership - Marimekko's bold prints and cheerful colors translate Finnish lifestyle.

Marimekko and one of the biggest retail chains in the US, Target, are collaborating in a design partnership – Marimekko’s bold prints and cheerful colors translate Finnish lifestyle. Marimekko for Target limited-edition collection features playful, print-centric pieces that span outdoor décor, furniture, entertaining essentials as well as beach and swimwear and accessories for women and girls. The prints in the collection were designed by one of Marimekko’s most iconic designers, Maija Isola. Dating back to the early decades of the Finnish design house, the prints are great examples of Marimekko’s design heritage.

“When it comes to our partnerships, we travel far and wide to find designers and brands we think our guests will love,” says Julie Guggemos, Senior Vice President, Product Design and Development, Target. “For our spring collaboration, that brought us all the way to Finland! We’ve had our eye on Marimekko for quite some time, and can’t wait for guests to have a chance to shop this limited-edition collection in just a few short weeks.”

A glimpse into the Finnish culture and lifestyle gave birth to the idea behind the Marimekko for Target collaboration: two iconic brands joining forces to create the feeling of an eternal summer and carefree outdoor living by offering items that bring people together and encourage them to play. Target’s design team spent time in Helsinki, where Marimekko is rooted, and were struck by one observation in particular. Finland has four distinct seasons, and once the cold and dark of winter fade away, the Finns couldn’t be happier to get outside with friends and family to enjoy some much-deserved sunshine.

“Target pioneered the concept of design partnerships and continues to raise the bar with each new collaboration,” says Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko, Marimekko’s President. “Following the celebrated previous Target’s design partnerships with brands such as Missoni, Mulberry, Jason Wu and Jean Paul Gaultier, we are very excited to present the Marimekko for Target collaboration this spring. Marimekko was created to bring colors and happiness into people’s everyday lives. We are thrilled to share our storied colorful designs and lifestyle thinking, inspired by Finnish summer living outdoors, with Target's guests in almost 1,800 stores and online across the United States.”

The Marimekko for Target capsule is available on Target stores and online in the US starting April 17.

 

Savy stylistas had already descended up Banana Republic's latest designer re-boot, Timo Weiland for Banana Republic.

Trying to recuperate "Mad Men" Janie Bryant's double "Mad Men" collections for them, Banana Republic is trying to inject fresh blood into the usual staid, office apparel for women.

Stylistas know they can rock the coral crop top cami with the bandage stitching, paired with matching circle skirt for a sassy Spring/Summer garden party then carry it into Fall with a black leather motorcycle jacket.

Among the urbane (such as this scribe) are already bemoaning of Marissa Webb being aside as a creative advisor but Timo's navy linen tie-front box top is salvageable enough to interchange with a crisp pair of white jeans for Spring/Summer then black flare jeans and black leather leggings and black moto-jacket for Fall/Winter.

"Sex and the City's" Charlotte York would be wearing the above and below ensembles.

A smart, lightweight navy linen wrap blazer.  Charlotte is still an urbane Manhattanite, abet a preppy one.

That linen blazer is seasonless.

Of course, she can't live without gingham for Spring and Summer.  The gingham tie-front box top is cute.

The Gingham oufit isn't complete until it's paired with a matching gingham pencil skirt.  

A fresh Spring warbrobe completed by five Timo Weiland for Banana Republic pieces.

It's Banana Republic trying to break of the office cubicle mold while loyal shoppers have something fresh to add to their everyday work tops and slacks.

Kat Von D collaborating with Too Faced Cosmetics. The Moon Juice Lady. Olde School with Eugenia Senna, & Plastic Surgery Underneath a Beverly Hills roof: Trending Beauty.

By Laura Medina

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io8ao7c7rC8

While Los Angeles Fashion Week was attempting to find its footing, unofficial "Beauty Week", solidly anchored by The Makeup Show, ruled that same week.

Influential beauty, health, and well-being fore-runners led the charge.

Of course, let's start with Sephora's best-selling brand, Kat Von D.

Here are snippets from her Q&A at The Makeup Show...

What caused her to start a beauty line?  How did it all start?

"Part of it was luck."  When she was starring in Miami Ink, her fans were begging Sephora to do a makeup with her because they like her makeup style and her graphic, tattoo drawing.  They kept commenting on her signature red lipstick; and they wanted her signature red lips.  Kat didn't care what season it was or what it is, it's her red."

This got Sephora executives wondering and inquiring who's this "Kat Girl?"

 "So, they set up this creative meeting to see if she knows about makeup." Lo and behold to their pleasant surprise, Kat has been a Beauty Insider, Sephora's loyalty shopper program, for years.

They asked her to come on board then the first thing they asked is to create the four perfect shades of red lipsticks.

"Oh my god! Four! That's crazy!  I thought I was only going to make one."

Now, today, her SKU is out of this world.  So everyday, for this girl who used to run barefoot in Mexico, is blessed and gratitude.

    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUgFY98sTFI

How does Kat Von D balance it all?

Surprisingly for this reality tv break-out star, she doesn't have a whole lot of technology.  She has a lot of pianos because she was a dirt poor, barefooted classical musician.  She has a crafting room where she generates her ideas.  For someone who used to date the infamous Nikki Sixx, Kat doesn't have much of a social life.

But, she likes because that's her structure.

She lives and breathes creating.  That's who she's in love with now.

Trivia now, her "Bachlorette" Lipstick is not named after the tv show nor an homage to brides but it's her favorite Bjork song.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgZtC5WephA

Kat may comment she sucks at being her own commercial but there isn't one product that she doesn't use herself.  Therefore yes, she uses her own products that she creates, hands-on, with her team.

Sorry fans, Kat gets more validation from professional makeup artists than the everyday fan because professional makeup artists understand the properties and the technology that goes into quality makeup.  Getting thumbs up from pros is a real kicker for her.

Kat is the biggest fan of professional makeup artists, "I hope you like me."

She compares makeup artists to tattoo artists.  What used to be fringe is now a respected mainstream.

 

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDUyXRBdRWc

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDE137hnt5M&ebc=ANyPxKq1v3QeH7Misja65gNnxVNusEATHtthaiVXXbY2IHwGSLoCR_eBRdd7YwrW_YLs8fUrOM1wdZdX-WGE2JaFxMsmtyhazQ

Kat never thought of "transition" when she added and expanded from tattooing to makeup.  She wanted to do everything.

Using Surrealist artist, Salvador Dali, "That man did everything.  If people tell you to be an one-trick pony,  tell them to "Shut the Fuck Up."  As a true creative, you have every right to expand, evolve, and morph. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg6ZmFBwYNA

Referring Dali, this man did everything.  Using him as a role model, Kat doesn't have any excuses to be creative and expand and widen the horizon.

She's not a makeup artist.  She's just an huge fan of makeup. 

Humbly said, Kat doesn't call herself a tattoo artist, she just do tattoo.

She wouldn't call herself a fashion designer.  Kat just sew clothes on the sewing machine. 

Everything except cooking. Other than that, she's totally down with everything.

She's okay with people going to formal schooling for particular fields but it don't settle and be trapped into one thing, one thing only.  You'll be surprised with what you can do when you expand your horizon.

It's called growth.

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwczovLevpc

This video segment is very important.

In this segment, this is where she officially announce her collaboration with Too Faced Cosmetics then she explains how this collaborated happened.

At a cosmetic convention, she was blew off by this makeup artist that she admired then Jerrod Blandino, from Too Faced Cosmetics, came rushing at her, yelling "Kat" because he's a fan of her.  Mutual respect and admiration.

This sudden but pleasant fan shock from a makeup industry veteran was enough for Kat to get over her rejection from that makeup artist that she used to admire, "That makeup artist who blew me off, was a total dick."

At first, Kat didn't know Too Faced Cosmetics or Jerrod.  They were just a rising brand, just like she was.

As a fan, Jerrod exclaimed, "The makeup world needs you.  I own Too Faced."  Then, he pulls out the Too Faced CandleLight Compact, saying he's a big fan of her.

They've been friends ever since.  Now, they, one of Sephora's biggest seller and rising brand, are now working together on a potential hit for Sephora. 

Like anything glam and girly, Kat commented people have a very hard time being happy for each other.

"I like it when my friends' band gets big.  I think it's fucking awesome."

"If my friends' band bring me up with them or I bring them up with me.  That's so cool."

There shouldn't be this sense of competition or snobbery because she thinks that's counter-productive.  Being competitive and being elitist are very consuming, especially for a creative mind.  

She's aware her friendship and collaboration with Too Faced is rare.

The message of her working with Too Faced is bigger than lipstick or eyeshadow.  Creating with a brand that shares the same mentality is rare.  "We're all in the same boat."

To Kat, that mutual support, respect, and work is more inspiring to her than slapping on a celebrity to sell more units.  Having emotional investment in product development and collaboration is very important to her.  This is what makes her an artist, not a business person.

She rather lead by example.

  

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7TO13NvOVI

What's Kat Von D's everyday makeup routine?

At this point in her life where she is constantly testing formulas and new products, she doesn't know.

"What color are you wearing?  I don't fucking remember right now."

It normally doesn't take her that long.  

It depends.  If that potential product-in-development is working, then it's a good day.  If that product is not working, then it's a bad day.

This how Kat Von D the brand succeeds.  It her products works for her then they work for everyone.

The unofficial "Beauty Week" launched on the previous Tuesday at Wanderlust, a holistic cafe/shop/yoga wellness studio and event venue, in the heart of a revitalizing Hollywood.

These true influentials are leading the charge in what's going on the horizon and what are the real next nutritional trends, as in "what you put inside affects the outside."

What these influential panelists missed yet is very much the key in their success is the advance distillation and extraction science technology that enables them to extract oils from raspberries and broccoli and plant stem cells from apples to promote and improve collagen and using molecular anti-oxidants to repair environmental/sun damage from free radicals.

The ironically named Amanda Chantal Bacon, yes that infamous "Moon Juice" lady, discussed the current trend...or backlash...against the Eighties/Nineties trend of "Zero Fat" highly processed food, where the original, real fat (the fat that satisfies and fills the stomach) is replaced with more "sneaky" sugar that is spiking up today's diabetic rates.

From the woman who lives on juices and raw food and makes rarefied powdered supplements for Gwyneth Paltrow's infamously expensive $200 morning smoothie, the audience was surprised that this former assistant chef to Chef Suzanne Goin at Lucques and at Chez Panisse and Outstanding in the Field and former assistant food and wine editor for the Los Angeles Times Magazine and former food journalist for L.A. Times, discussed the importance of using real fat and real oils on our faces and in our bodies.

In contradicting her fat-free, raw juice image, Amanda talked about the importance to re-incorporating age-old oils on our faces to nourish so our pores wouldn't over-produce oils when the skin is dry.

Then, she further shock her raw juice fans and audience when she recommended eating more real fat to lower sugar levels, to satisfy the stomach and appetite, and for easier digestion. 

Wanderlust's Well + Good goes beyond skin deep and it's not "raw."

James Walker of the Aloe Vera-based, wholesome version alternative to NARS, W3LL People, with organic nail salon owner, Sarah Gibson Tuttle of Olive + June  and Blair Lawson, head of beauty at goop, talk about the challenges of trying to keep the integrity of "Being Green and Wholesome" with the demands of busy, modern yet health-conscious women who demands that their organic makeup and nail polishes be long-lasting as they be all-natural.

With help from advanced extraction technology, James broke the news that W3LL People are broccoli seed extract as an oil-free moisturizer and a dimethicone silicon replacement for their new tinted moisturizing foundation with sunscreen.

Well + Good Beauty Influencers are busting the "granola vegan" cliche with science and healthy fats.

Last but not least, all of Beverly Hills' best plastic surgeons had banded together underneath one roof, The Roxbury Institute, a comprehensive aesthetic medical center in Beverly Hills.

Dr. 90210, aka, Dr. Robert Rey, and Dr. Jason Diamond and the rest of the cast of Netflix’ “Celebrity Plastic Surgeons of Beverly Hills,”were there at the opening of their new complex at 450 North Roxbury Drive.

The real L.A. Fashion Week is "Beauty Week."

Shonda Rhime's Sexy, New Cat & Mouse Chic Thriller, ABC's "The Catch."

By Laura Medina

 ABC's "The Catch" Thursday Night at 10pm.

 

Last Monday night was the sneak preview of ABC's "The Catch" at the up & coming private clue, NeueHouse Hollywood.

Still ironing out the kinks, Shonda Rhimes' latest TV series, "The Catch," is ABC trying to keep its Thursday prime time line-up, staying hot and juicy.  The new guilty pleasure tv is a modern women dilemma, a successful career woman being conned by a smart, educated, and handsome total package, in the form of Peter Krause.

Shonda's approach to today's smart career ladies being conned is re-treading "The Thomas Crown Affair" for today's audience who became successful "Sex and the City" ladies...and the men who chased them.  It's the grown-up gal's version of a revenge fantasy.

Alice Vaughan (played by Broadway actress Mirelle Enos) is a ass-kicking, sophisticated sexy private detective armed with degrees in art history and marital arts, providing security against international art theft.

Peter Krause plays Christopher Hall/Mr. X, an international art theft/con artist who chased and baited her for her rich clients then literally cleaned her out of her house and bank account.

On a justified, vengeful chase, Alice is aided by an Interpol agent who's also chasing after Mr.X.

"The Catch" is a double entendre.  At first, Christopher Hall, the faux investment banker is a "catch" of an husband until his rouse is up.  Then, Alice realized she was "the catch" because he used her for money, contacts, clients, and access to her clients' art work and personal information.

This is where "the cat and mouse" chase begins.

Allan Heinberg, one of the writers, is a juicy prime time soap opera veteran, having written steamy and trendy "The O.C." and "Sex and the City."  He met Shonda as a "Grey's Anatomy" writer.

Through him, "The Catch" shows the elite and glamorous world of Los Angeles' emerging role as an high-end, up & comer to New York's elite, insular international art world.  A portrait of a kiss symbolizes Mr. X's mysterious but appealing sex appeal...as bait.

"The Catch" takes places in the Downtown L.A.'s renaissance, at the new Broad Museum on Grand Avenue, the fictional location of Alice's private detective agency for the rich.  She was working an event at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Little Tokyo in Northern Downtown Los Angeles.  Mr. X, sleeping with his real lady friend, is an hip, urbane bachelor apartment in the exciting but noisy Sunset Boulevard and Vine and Hollywood Boulevard in revamped Hollywood, complete with neon, traffic snarl, and tv crime-chasing choppers.

Yes, this is a modern woman's revenge done up as eye candy.

ABC's newest guilty pleasure.

 

Real, Actual Adult Spring Break, Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival. http://www.pbfw.com/

By Laura Medina

Alrighty, you've been a nice girl...or nice guy.  You survived Awards Season.  You showed moral support during this past week's Los Angeles Fashion Week.

You're dying for a get-away but you'd out-grown Coachella and the desert sun-burn and the sandstorms...and the au naturale camping, but Easter's all family with all the children is just a turn-off for the established single Gen-Xer and Baby Boomer who just to let loose and take a breather.

What a culturati-foodie to do?

Here's a delightful option, the Ninth Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, running from March 31st to April 3rd, up the Olde Money California Coast of Pebble Beach.  It's now a tradition embodying the sophistication and refinement of the world's finest culinary talents and restaurants in the world, set to arrive this Spring, an once-in-a-lifetime food and wine celebration.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine, the preeminent food and wine festival attracting the most revered and talented chefs from across the globe, returns to Pebble Beach Resorts for the ninth year in a row, March 31 – April 3, 2016. Presented with founding partners FOOD & WINE and Lexus, Pebble Beach Food & Wine is set to feature three-nights and four-days of acclaimed culinary and wine tastings, cooking demos, and some of the most exclusive dining experiences available in the world set against the storied backdrop of Pebble Beach, drawing well-traveled glitterati and gourmands. 

A gastronomic delight of discovery, in past years the star-studded cast has included celebrated chefs such as Tyler Florence, Tom Colicchio, Cat Cora, Jacques Pepin, Daniel Boulud, Dominique Crenn, Curtis Stone, Thomas Keller, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Guy Fieri, Ming Tsai, Fabio Viviani, Duff Goldman, Carla Hall, Andrew Zimmern, Eric Ripert, Grant Achatz, as well as local favorites including John Cox, Matt Accarrino, Peter Armellino, and William Werner to name a few. A curated itinerary tees off with a chef golf tournament on the legendary Pebble Beach golf course before a weekend of intimate wine receptions, dinners, and al fresco tippling beckons guests for a memorable and unparalleled culinary extravaganza comprised of over 100 chefs, 300 wines, seminars, and well-orchestrated cooking demonstrations.

Guests at the elegant The Inn at Spanish Bay will have unparalleled access to culinary icons as they find themselves enjoying a tipple fireside with the world’s most acclaimed chefs, including James Beard and Michelin star honorees, FOOD & WINE Best New Chefs,  and globally revered culinary pioneers. Complemented by the breathtaking vistas of the California coastline and the grounds of Pebble Beach Resorts, the annual Lexus Grand Tasting will offer festivalgoers an endless medley of gastronomic delights that spans the imaginative and inspiring cuisine of its star guest chefs.

Don't worry about getting up there.  You will fly in style...

Pebble Beach Food & Wine announces exclusive flights to the festival, offering guests a truly elevated inflight culinary experience hosted by acclaimed chefs including Walter Manzke, Neal Fraser, Rory Herrmann, Jason Neroni, Michael Voltaggio and Tim Hollingsworth.

The Mile High Club can take advantage of Pebble Beach Food & Wine offering festival guests a truly elevated, once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. Enjoy flying to Pebble Beach on a private jet while indulging in an intimate charter soirée together with LA's most celebrated chefs, sipping champagne paired with sumptuous small bites and bumps of caviar. 

Departing from Los Angeles on Thursday, March 31, passengers aboard the luxury flight will join notable chefs: Walter Manzke (Republique), Neal Fraser (Redbird), Rory Herrmann (Sprout Restaurant Group), Jason Neroni (The Rose), Michael Voltaggio (ink.), and Tim Hollingsworth (Otium, Barrel and Ashes). Upon arriving in Pebble Beach, a chauffeured Lexus will whisk passengers to the festival to continue their culinary adventure. Valued at over $10,000, packages for this exclusive one-of-a-kind culinary and travel experience are available at $5,000 for a limited time only on a first come, first serve basis and will include:

A VIP, all-inclusive four-day pass including the flight ticket sponsored by JetSuite.

Ground transportation on-site at the festival provided by Lexus.

Access to exclusive private parties and events throughout the weekend, including the Opening Night Reception, After Hours Parties on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and much more...

Once on-site at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, guests can expect an unprecedented lineup of more than 100 renowned chefs and 250 distinguished winemakers participating during the four-day celebration. Below are details on additional events throughout the weekend, included for guests who purchase the Pebble Beach Food & Wine private jet package:

Opening Night Reception: On Thursday evening, Pebble Beach Food & Wine IX officially kicks off at the magnificent Inn at Spanish Bay for a night of unbridled indulgence. The entire property will be transformed into an epicurean paradise; stroll throughout the Inn to sample decadent bites from 23 of the weekend's top chefs. Sip slowly from a selection of over 200 hundred wines showcased by top domestic and international producers.

 

After Hours (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights): At Pebble Beach Food & Wine, the partying continues for our select group of celebrity chefs, winemakers, sommeliers, and industry influencers who dance quite literally until dawn at this private invitation-only event, taking place Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Inn at Spanish Bay. 

 

Lexus Chef’s Table Lunch with Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo: Join Lexus Culinary Masters Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo as they embark on a dining experience featuring the mouth-watering flavors that have redefined the Los Angeles culinary scene. By playing with unexpected ingredients, Shook and Dotolo have made fine dining more approachable and fun, while maintaining the integrity of the high-end culinary experience. Don’t miss your opportunity to sit alongside these trailblazers as they prepare a sumptuous foodie adventure.

South Australia – The Epicurean Way: Date: Friday, April 1, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. 

 Welcome to South Australia: our sunburnt land of wide blue skies and ochre desert sands, of vineyard-laden hills and clear ocean waters. Take a culinary adventure where the produce is real and the wines are robust and unique. Join Tasting Australia Creative Director Chef Simon Bryant and Barossa Chef Lachlan Colwill on an epicurean journey through some of Australia’s most iconic food and wine regions. Travel through South Australia via Kangaroo Island’s pristine beauty, stunning coastline, and world-renowned vineyards. U.S. chefs Michel Nischan and Bruce Kalman will join Simon and Lachlan to guide you through the flavors of South Australia. 

Booze & Bites Lunch at Restaurant 1833:  Date: Friday, April 1, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine is very proud to host San Francisco's most amazing culinary couple for the annual lunch at Restaurant 1833. Chefs Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinsky of State Bird Provisions and The Progress have re-invigorated the Bay Area dining scene with what many consider to be the two of San Francisco’s best restaurant additions in decades. They'll join Restaurant 1833 Executive Chef Jason Franey to create an extraordinary lunch, available "only at Pebble Beach."

 

Tete de Cuvée – Exploring Rosé: Long-time participants at Pebble Beach Food & Wine know that we take our champagne habit very seriously. Join us as we taste through a world of the best rosé bubbles. We'll sample the “Tête de Cuvées,” or finest blends, from an array of Champagne producers, large and small. This is a best in class tasting with only the top producers of rosés represent some of the finest wines from each house. The stunning selection of wines is seldom tasted side by side and we have this unique opportunity to delve into both the passion and the precision that makes these wines sing.

Mozzarella, Meat & More with Nancy Silverton & Ryan Denicola: We are thrilled to have L.A.’s beloved Chef Nancy Silverton return for another year at Pebble Beach Food & Wine.  From La Brea Bakery breads, to Campanile, to Mozza, Silverton’s ascendant career epitomizes Los Angeles’ own rising epicurean stature.  This year, Silverton is joined by Chef Ryan Denicola of chi SPACCA, LA’s newest superstar of Italian cuisine.  Nancy and Ryan will prepare a sensational dinner featuring mozzarella, meat and more, with each course accompanied by expertly paired wines.  Join us as we experience the accumulated talents of this remarkable duo.

 

Cat Cora’s “World Tour”:  

Date: Saturday, April 2, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

It’s no surprise that Cat Cora has become a world renowned chef. In 2005, she made television history on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” as the first and only female Iron Chef, and in November 2006 Bon Appétit Magazine bestowed her with their “Teacher of the Year Award,” an honor she calls, “the greatest recognition she could achieve as a chef.” That same month, she was also bestowed with another great culinary distinction when she was named Executive Chef of Bon Appétit. Since then, Cora has continued to evolve her craft, becoming an accomplished author, restaurateur, contributing editor, philanthropist, and television host.

  

  

The Culinary Olympics at Pebble Beach IX: The Ment’Or Cooking Demo & Dinner: 

Cooking Demo Date: Friday, April 1, 2016 from 3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.  

Dinner Dates: Friday, April 1, 2016 and Saturday, April 2, 2016 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm.

Dubbed the “Culinary Olympics,” the Bocuse d'Or is the culinary arts’ most respected international cooking competition, one in which the world's best converge on Lyon, France for a marathon five and a half hour chef extravaganza in front of thousands of cheering fans. At this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine, the United States representatives from Chef Bocuse's premier culinary event, including Daniel Boulud, Gavin Kaysen, Stephanie Prida, Bryce Shuman, Philip Tessier, Dave Beran, Jérôme Bocuse, Mathew Peters and Joshua Skenes, will showcase the skills that place them among the world's very best.

An Evening with Bocuse d’Or Team USA: 

Dinner Dates: Friday, April 1, 2016 and Saturday, April 2, 2016 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm.

The Bocuse d’Or is the culinary equivalent to the World Series, Super Bowl and Olympics combined. As one of the distinguished Board of Directors at the ment’or foundation, Chef Jerome Bocuse sets the bar exceptionally high at this exquisite “only at Pebble Beach” event. Featuring chefs Dave Beran (Alinea, Next), Gavin Kaysen (Spoon & Stable), along with Bocuse d’Or 2015 Silver Medalist and 2017 USA team captain Philip Tessier, Mathew Peters (Per Se), and Pastry Chef Diana Yang (Spoon & Stable), who will put the sweetest finishing touch on the evening which is sure to be the most memorable experience the privileged gourmand can fathom.   

 

Lexus Grand Tasting (Saturday and Sunday): The Lexus Grand Tasting tent at Pebble Beach Food & Wine is the weekend's most spectacular opportunity for maximum culinary indulgence. With over 300 wines from top-notch producers from around the world to a “who's who” list of 30 top celebrity chefs, this is your chance to mingle, mix and sip with the very best in the field. As always, there will be opportunities for book signings and photo moments with many of the weekend's biggest and brightest names, so buy your tickets early as this extravaganza sells out each year. Package Guests get VIP access 30 minutes early.

The Lexus Grand Tastings, the festival’s most spectacular opportunity for maximum culinary indulgence, will once again take place in a 60,000 square-foot tent on both Saturday, April 2, 2016 and Sunday, April 3, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. With over 300 wines from world renowned producers to a “who's who” list of 30 top celebrity chefs offering exclusive tastes of their best dishes, this is your chance to mingle, mix and sip with the very best in the world.

Departuring from Los Angeles to Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival.  

Ground transportation to be provided by Lexus to and from Monterey Airport to Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival.   

Packages are $5,000 for a VIP, all-inclusive four-day pass including the flight ticket, Lexus ground transportation, and access to exclusive private parties and events throughout the weekend.  The package is valued at over $10,000 and is available for a limited time only on a first come, first serve basis.

Call 1.866.907.FOOD (3663) for all details including flight times, ticketing departure and arrival details and to reserve your seat.  

Accommodations are not included in the price and can be reserved separately from official festival partners at www.PBFW.com or by calling 1.866.907.FOOD (3663)

This ain't no camping at Coachella...not that, there's anything wrong with that.  However, you and your taste buds did elevate.