The Taste, Day One

Injera bread for spicy Ethiopian chicken stew from Meals by Genet  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Overhead view of guests at the festival on the Paramount Studios backlot.   (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Camarones al Habanero from Chichen Itza restaurant at the 2013 event.  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Kurobuta pork belly tacos   (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

A crowd gathers and tents are aglow under the stars.  (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Visitors at the Bibigo truck   (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

The opening of 2013 The Taste on the Paramount Studios lot.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Eggplant caponata with artichokes from Farmshop.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Michael Cimarusti talks about the benefits of wild-caught salmon at the 2013 event.   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Michael Cimarusti of Providence and Connie and Ted’s serves wild king salmon with a fennel salad tossed with miso vinaigrette.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

A Bronzino salad made with tomato, fennel, onion and compote virgin sauce from the Esterel Restaurant at Sofitel Hotel.   (Patrick T. Fallon/ For The Times)

Ray Garcia gives a culinary demonstration of a salad made with ricotta, figs and beets.   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Brooke Williamson of the Hudson House sprinkles cheese as she prepares dumplings during a demonstration at the Flavors of L.A. evening.   (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

Ari Taymor of Alma restaurant smokes duck during a cooking demonstration.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Carlos and Kelly Field sample dishes from The Blvd restaurant.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Cupcakes from the Cake Mamas.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Pastry chef Sherry Yard shows a crowd how to make brioche dough for doughnuts.   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

From left to right, Russ Parsons, Sheila Bowman, Lisa Hogan and Michael Cimarusti participate in a panel on sustainable seafood.   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Helga Oliveros draws on the “What are you tasting?” wall at the 2013 event.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)