Winter is coming… to an end! I mean, eventually. Let’s say March 1, for our purposes here. The rain will be drying up, hopefully, and temperatures will be on the rise once again. It’s also, I recently learned, the official start of burrito season. That’s apparently a thing. Yep, Chipotle is crewing up because, as the company states, March through May represents a significant increase in burrito consumption nationwide. 

All this to say, food is one of our primary methods of tracking time. So, mark your calendar for the first of March for the inaugural Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival. The latest addition to our culinary scene is a celebration, organizers say, of the intersection of food and culture. The three-day bacchanal will be held at the iconic Santa Monica Pier because it’s not crowded enough there on a normal day. 

Friday, opening night, hours will run from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the weekend hours will be 12:30 p..m. to 3 p.m. The festival is presented by Endeavor-owned IMG and will feature a mix of high-profile culinary and beverage talent, beloved local restaurants and cultural initiatives.

So, who’s on board? Some of your favorite chefs, of course. The event announced the following restaurants would be represented: Pizzana, Jitlada, Holbox, Donna’s, Chifa, Bé Ù, Love Hour, Crudo e Nudo, Isla, Camphor, Xuntos, Pasjoli, Guerilla Tacos and many more.

They’ll join previously announced headliners such as Justin Pichetrungsi of critically acclaimed Anajak Thai, BBQ master Adam Perry Lang, Alvin Cailan, Food Network Star Duff Goldman, award-winning Mexican-American chef Claudette Zepeda and Stephanie Izard of Girl & the Goat. Attendees will be able to enjoy unlimited tastings from more than 30 chefs per day. 

Proceeds will directly benefit the Artist Plate Project, an activation founded by Michelle Hellman, and provide food, crisis services, housing and other critical aid to thousands of people experiencing homelessness and instability.

The festival is also dedicated to highlighting female-owned restaurants in L.A., thanks to official nonprofit partner Regarding Her (RE:Her), a national nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the growth of women entrepreneurs and leaders in food and beverage.  

Ticket options include: 

Standard Daily Pricing (starting Feb. 1)

General Admission: $175/day 

VIP: $275/day (includes 1-hour early access to the festival, access to VIP lounge, exclusive bites/beverages, dedicated entrance to bypass General Admission line):

Weekend Passes (available starting Feb. 2)

General Admission: $525 

VIP: $825

Tickets may be purchased at lawineandfood.com. Additional programming and events will be announced in coming weeks and more information can be found at lawineandfood.com or @lawinefoodfest on Instagram.