Not for nothing have our summers become a season of feasts — whether it's Lucky Rice Feast taking place this Saturday, July 27, or our Pancake Breakfast coming up on August 11. It's almost fitting then that The Taste, a three-day food festival hosted by The Los Angeles Times, should close the summer over Labor Day weekend from Friday, August 30, to Sunday, September 1, at Paramount Pictures Studios.

As with last year's programming, each night is themed and will be hosted by a writer or editor of the newspaper's Food Section, beginning with an opening night gathering of all the festival's participating chefs and bartenders on Friday, August 30, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

On Saturday, August 31, food editor Russ Parsons and Michael Cimarusti (Providence; Connie & Ted's) will highlight local and seasonal fare with Field to Fork from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. That night, Jonathan Gold, the newspaper's restaurant critic, and Sang Yoon (Father's Office; Lukshon) will bring a foods representative of L.A.'s cultural diversity with Flavors of L.A. at 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Test Kitchen editor Noelle Carter and Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza; Pizzeria Mozza) will host a barbecue-focused Labor Day Block Party welcome to Angelenos of all ages on Sunday, September 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The weekend-long fête will wrap up with Cocktail Confidential later on in the evening from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., hosted by deputy food editor Betty Hallock, food and nightlife writer Jessica Gelt and cocktail guru Matthew Biancaniello.

Tickets are as follows: $125 for opening night; $65 for all other events (after August 29, tickets will go up to $85). Field to Fork and Flavors of L.A. features a $50 “secret cellar” upgrade that includes a wine tasting with small bites. A weekend pass that includes all events except for opening night is $175. Times members get a 20% discount off individual tickets. All tickets are inclusive of food and drink, cooking demonstrations, wine seminars and panel discussions.

And in related news:

– Sang Yoon and Neal Fraser to Compete on Top Chef Masters Season 5

– L.A. Bartender Matt Biancaniello's Boozy Ice Cream

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