Artisanal LA Returns This Weekend With New Vendors, New Location

For those who like to get to know the local folks making their food (and other assorted treats and items), the Artisanal LA events are a great way to get some great stuff in a fun and interactive setting. For its Spring 2011 installation, Artisanal LA will be setting up shop this weekend (April 16-17) on the top level of Santa Monica Place. Attendees will get the chance to preview the much-anticipated Market adjacent to the Dining Deck, in addition to shopping from nearly 100 vendors and learning from over a dozen panels, demos, and workshops.

The vendors on hand for the two-day event include an assortment of hand-picked baked goods, beverage, spice, meat, cheese, confection, condiment, and garden vendors who represent some of L.A.'s top local, sustainable and handmade edibles. Sample while you shop, and take advantage of being able to chat one-on-one with the vendors about their products.

Of the workshops, panels and demos, the schedule is full of opportunities to look, listen, and learn. Bread-making, coffee brewing, and bee-keeping are just a few of the topics. Definitely worth checking out will be Saturday's panel about Farmers Markets, a Market Fresh Cocktails demo by Matt Biancaniello of the Library Bar at the Roosevelt, and a panel on urban homesteading, while, on Sunday, take note of the panel and demo on butchering, a craft beer panel, and a workshop on organizing a food swap.

Tickets to the event are $10 for a single day in advance, $18 for a two-day pass, and can be bought online. Though they will take $15 cash admission at the door, organizers caution that admission without a pre-sale ticket is not guaranteed.