Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival

Ricardo Zarate

Fueled by the city’s creative energy, Ricardo Zarate brings Peruvian cuisine to new levels through a showcase of Japanese finesse, hometown flavors, and L.A. attitude. After graduating from Lima’s top culinary school and working in London’s top restaurants for over a decade, including One Aldwych and Zuma, Ricardo, a Peruvian native, moved to L.A. to open Mo-chica and Picca. Most recently, Ricardo re-opened the original Mo-chica in an evolved space downtown that features a vibrant urban space to complement his new interpretations on traditional Peruvian comfort food. Both Mo-chica and Picca, since their inceptions, were listed in Jonathan Gold’s 99 Essential Restaurants, and Food & Wine awarded Zarate as “Best New Chef” and “Best New Chef, People’s Choice.”

Perfecto Rocher

Perfecto Rocher is a third-generation paella maker and Executive Chef of Lazy Ox Canteen whose innovative palate and international experience in Michelin-star kitchens bring much excitement to the downtown Los Angeles dining scene. After moving to Los Angeles, Chef Rocher became Head Chef of BLVD restaurant in the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel. He then met restaurateur Michael Cardenas and joined the Lazy Ox team in March 2012, incorporating his own innovative Spanish perspective to the market-inspired global menu. In late fall 2012, the duo will launch Taberna Arros Y Vi, a new paella concept, in Santa Monica.

Kerry Simon

One of the first chefs on the Las Vegas scene, Kerry Simon continues to reinvent himself in the city he calls home. Dubbed the rock-n-roll chef by Rolling Stone magazine, the aspiring musician’s love for cooking did not start right away. Los Angeles was the next step for the Iron Chef America winner, who has many friends in the entertainment industry. In 2006 he and Blau opened SIMON LA in Hollywood and LA Market at the JW Marriott Los Angeles LA Live where he works alongside Hell’s Kitchen winner, Nona Sivley.

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