PigOut 3.0 
This is the third edition of this annual pig-centric event, which features chefs, specialty pork, cocktails, a pig-deconstruction demo, a pig farmer Q&A and a knife-skills demo. This year's main attraction will be a 
250-pound Templeton Rye Duroc pig from the Templeton Rye Heritage Pork Project. Among the chefs coming: Amar Santana of Broadway by Amar Santana, Mark McDonald of Old Vine Cafe, Greg Daniels of Haven Gastropub and Eric Samaniego of Little Sparrow. Also, expect cocktail creations by Gabriella Mlynarczyk from ink., Gabrielle Dion of the Mixing Glass, Jason Schiffer of 320 Main, Jarred Dooley of the Playground, and Koire Rogers of ARC. Mike Puglisi of Electric City Butcher is doing the pig demo. For more information, check their website. 
WHAT: PigOut 3.0
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 24, 3-7 p.m.
WHERE: The California Scenario (Noguchi Gardens), 611 Anton Blvd. Costa Mesa.
COST: General admission is $75, which includes unlimited food and booze. VIP tickets, at $100, include a Champagne reception with chefs, plus dessert.

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The Taste
The Los Angeles Times kicks off its annual food festival, the Taste, on Labor Day weekend. The folks from that paper's Food section join local chefs for a weekend of discussions, cooking and cocktail demos, wine seminars — and actual food and drink. Among the many activities: cooking demos by Nancy Silverton, Jimmy Shaw, John Sedlar, Karen Hatfield and  Casey Lane, among many others; a butchery demo by Amelia Posada; Russ Parsons chats with Thomas Keller; Jonathan Gold and Betty Hallock host a mixology demo; and a farmers market cooking panel with Roxana Jullapat, Jessica Koslow and Josiah Citrin. 
WHAT: The Taste
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31.
WHERE: Paramount Pictures Studios, 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood 
COST: A weekend pass goes for $299; tickets for individual events run from $175 down to a kids brunch for $5. Check out the website for details and to buy tickets. (LAT subscribers get a $25 discount.)

Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival
Downtown L.A. and many venues and restaurants around town will host the fourth annual L.A. Food and Wine Festival, a massive event that features many local and national chefs. If you have the time and the cash for the marquee events, there are plenty: cooking demos by Iron Chef Morimoto at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; wine seminars; a cocktail event by Julian Cox; more demos by Lorena Garcia, Graham Elliot, Scott Conant and many others. Check the website for more information and the long list of what's coming. 
WHAT: Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 24.
WHERE: Various locations downtown, including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Vibiana and Grand Avenue. Also restaurants throughout L.A. Check the website for details. 
COST: Tickets range from $50 to VIP events that can run up to $350. 

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