Foodies come and foodies go, depending on the morsel of the moment — whether it's mac-and-cheese, shaved truffles or (shudder) raspberry vinaigrette. A true culinary devotee, however, hungers for knowledge beyond questions like “Did the chef ever appear on The Great Food Truck Race?” They're more likely to ask something like, “What was one of Louis XIV's favorite foods?” According to food and culinary historian Maite Gomez-Rejon, the answer is: strawberries. She'll also tell you that they were grown year-round in the 23-acre kitchen garden at Versailles so the king could enjoy a bowl with whipped cream in the winter. For more juicy tidbits, experience LACMA's “Cur-ATE, The Kitchen Garden,” a gallery tour and dinner that merge the fine and culinary arts. The program begins with GomezRejon's narrated tour of relevant artworks in Europe and America from the 17th through the 20th centuries, followed by cocktails and a meet-and-greet with chef Kris Morningstar in the garden of Ray's & Stark Bar. It culminates in a three-course meal Morningstar has designed using ingredients sourced at the garden. By the time you're done, you'll be able to impress fellow foodies by telling them the identity of the first promoter of composting in America. Hint: It's not Paula Deen. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, BP Grand Entrance, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-City; Mon., Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m., and Tues., Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m.; $90 members; $100 nonmembers (includes tour, dinner and parking). (323) 857-6010, lacma.org.

Mon., Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m.; Tue., Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m., 2013

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