The Taste food festival returns Labor Day weekend to Paramount Studios

Busy over Labor Day weekend? Or maybe we should ask if you’ll be hungry and thirsty. The Taste, the Los Angeles Times’ annual celebration of Southern California’s culinary scene, will take place September 4-6 at Paramount Pictures Studios’ backlot.

Five events will showcase the chefs and restaurants at the heart of L.A.’s food and dining culture and include unlimited tastings from the city’s best restaurants, specialty drinks, wine seminars and live demos. Tickets are on sale now at latimes.com/thetaste.

Opening Night – Sept. 4, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The Taste’s most intimate event brings together the festival hosts alongside featured chefs and bartenders for an opening night soirée with a focused collection of tastings, premium cocktail and wine offerings, and live entertainment.

Field to Fork – Sept. 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Russ Parsons, Times food columnist, lends his farmers market savvy to a daytime event inspired by seasonal dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.

Dinner with a Twist – Sept. 5, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Jonathan Gold, Times restaurant critic, and Jenn Harris, Times deputy food editor, team up for an evening exploration of the city’s unique variety of small plates and great spirits.

Sunday Brunch & BBQ – Sept. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Amy Scattergood, Times food editor, and Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen director, host an homage to the sweet and savory dishes that exemplify an end-of-summer feast.

Flavors of L.A. – Sept. 6, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Jonathan Gold, Times restaurant critic, closes the festival with a tacos-to-ramen-and-back tasting of the world’s great flavors through essential L.A.-based chefs and local restaurants.

Los Angeles Times The Taste is produced in association with Best Events. Sponsors include Stella Artois, Knob Creek and Hornitos. Opening night tickets are $150. Tickets for each of the Saturday and Sunday events range from $100 to $125 and a $25 discount is available exclusively to Los Angeles Times subscribers. Details and tickets: latimes.com/thetaste. Connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ TheTasteLA (#TasteLA).