Bravo, James Beard Food Fests Postponed In Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA —Two food extravaganzas planned within coming weeks in Los Angeles, Bravo’s Top Chef Food & Wine Festival and The James Beard Foundation's Taste America series, were postponed indefinitely, with one group citing coronavirus woes, according to organizers.

Bravo’s Top Chef event, a first for the network, was to be March 19-20 at Universal Studios Hollywood with live challenges, food and wine pairings, plus meet-and-greets and panels with "Top Chef" alums.

Organizers at Universal did not cite coronavirus concerns for the decision, instead saying, "uncertainties with the event’s programming elements" were to blame. Anyone with questions on the cancellation can call 1-800-UNIVERSAL (1-800-864-8377), option #9 or click here to visit the "USH Contact Us" page.

Bravo said it is considering possible future dates.

The James Beard Foundation, meanwhile, did say its decision to scrap plans for the April 1-2 Taste America event, planned at The Fields LA, was due to health and safety concerns surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are also mindful of how this virus is negatively impacting the hospitality industry at large, both from a well-being and economic standpoint," officials said, adding that the series is postponed until fall, with exact dates still undecided.

Taste America, part of a gourmet, nationwide-traveling series, is sponsored by the James Beard nonprofit, which is devoted to building a coast-to-coast platform to support chefs and promote the cultural unity of food, sustainability and waste reduction in the industry.

The Los Angeles event was to feature a Raising the Bar cocktail party, with popular chefs and mixologists, and a dinner gala, with a diverse menu crafted by James Beard Award nominees and a lineup of local culinary talent.

Anyone with questions on Taste America can visit this link.

UPDATES ON OTHER NEARBY EVENTS:

• CANCELED: Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2020: Hermosa Beach
• CANCELED: St. Patrick's Day Gold Hunt 2020: Malibu
• CANCELED: Holi On The Beach -Fest of Colors 2020: Santa Monica
• POSTPONED: Bravo Top Chef Food & Wine Fest: Universal Hollywood
• CANCELED: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade 2020: Downtown Ventura
• CANCELED: St. Patrick's Community Celebration 2020: Canoga Park
• RELOCATED: St. Patrick's 'Get Lucky Festival': L.A.
  
• CANCELED: St. Patrick Fest & Flogging Molly: Palladium, Hollywood
  
• CANCELED: Irish Fun Day 2020: St. Isidore Plaza, Los Alamitos