The Taste of LA: Cupcakes, Celebrity Chefs & Spirits

 

Article and Photography by: Andrea Cannistraci

journeypod.com enjoyed a beautiful sunny Labor Day in Beverly Hills at the LA TASTE “Picnic in the Hills”.  The event was sponsored by the Los Angeles Times and Food & Wine Magazine. The event was hosted by Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis and it was an amazing day of unlimited tastings from over 30 of LA’s best restaurants and chefs, unlimited samples from over 30 wineries, breweries and spirits, wine seminars, and cooking demos.

And speaking of cooking demos, journeyPod was front and center for the cupcakes! Candace Nelson, Sprinkles Founder and Food Network “Cupcake Wars” judge demoed how to make the popular Sprinkles strawberry cupcakes. We learned the inside scoop on her all-natural recipe. At the end she even showed us how to master the signature frosting “swirl.”

Being a cupcake judge, Candace must taste a lot of different cupcakes; some good, some not so tasty. When asked what cupcake she disliked the most, her response: the mayo and tuna cupcake. (Ok, gross!)  Candace did say that “sweet and savory” cupcakes are the trend now. She’s seeing a lot of fig and goat cheese varieties. 

What is the best tip for making cupcakes? Keep your dairy at room temperature. 

journeypod.com also chatted with Chef Kristi Ritchey from Greenleaf Gourmet ChopShop.  Chef Kristi made her primetime debut in the premiere of Food Network’s “Extreme Chef” this summer. She has been featured in many articles for her weight-loss triumph—losing over 110 pounds.  She talked to us about her health-focused menu featuring custom-made gourmet salads—yes she made me one without cheese—sandwiches, and hot entrees with fresh, locally grown ingredients, flame-grilled proteins, and countless toppings to maintain an affordable, healthy way of life.

Read more about cupcakes in our article “Cupcake Competition Takes the Cake”