We got there just at noon and easily found street parking. There was a big mix-up at the beginning as to where we should be and we ended up being put into three different lines before a volunteer finally told us where the will-call area was. After that the day went pretty much as you might expect at such a hyped event. We were given 8 drink sampling tickets each and they were good at all the wine and alcohol booths (but not the food trucks). The non-alcoholic drink samples were free. We also sampled a few foods (again from the booths and not the food trucks). All the food at the food trucks was for sale only and the lines, in the sun, were ridiculously long as there were too few trucks for a crowd this size.

One HUGE complaint is that it was very warm and no shaded areas were provided to get out of the sun. All of the cooking demonstrations and talks involved sitting in the direct sun and there were too few seats at each stage. There was also no water available anywhere, except at the food trucks who overcharged for it and had very long lines. To watch the concert at night you had to sit on the ground beforehand to get a spot, in what is normally a parking lot, and you got absolutely filthy. It wasn't the worst event I have been to, but it was close and totally not worth the price (even at our reduced price through Goldstar). More communication as to what was included, how the event itself worked, and what was not included in the ticket price would have been helpful so we could have prepared. As it is, we went home dehydrated, hungry, and disappointed at the end of the day.

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Arrive on time. Most wine vendors were out of their tastings towards mid afternoon. The former attendants that anticipated this influx of unquenched enthusiasts had line formations slightly short of a mile long to await. VIP admission (they quickly sell out), if affordable, would be wise.

Take some cash for food (some charge a nominal fee) and souvenirs. A must try: Kyo Chon chicken; challenging to have less than two bites, incredibly tasty.

Take a light hat if weather is better than fair. Wear comfortable shoes, the studio covers a good amount of ground. No need for a wine lanyard, the wine glass provided at admission is stemless.

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It was ok. I was hoping that the tickets would cover more food choices. The wine booths were not asking for them. The lines for the trucks were ridiculous, but we happened upon one that was fine and the food delish - the Dosa Truck if I remember. The panel discussions were interesting. The concert FUN! My husband and son were less impressed. I will just stick to the Taste of the Nation in June at Media Park in Culver City.

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unbelievably poor organization. if niot vip ticket, should not have bothered to come. for all sections, way oversold. all staff way undertrained. i never was able to get even one glass of wine.

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