Nothing brings people together quite like great food, which is why after a successful launch last year the Los Angeles Times Food Bowl is back for its second year with even more to look forward to.

This year’s Los Angeles Food Bowl once again kicks off on May 1st for a full magnificent 31 days celebrating LA’s always evolving food and drink scene. While shining a light on LA’s food scene the festival will simultaneously work to raise awareness and funds to fight against food waste, hunger, and promote sustainability and waste reduction with the help of festival charity partners and its events. For the month of May the Food Bowl will have LA buzzing with over 250 events that will include the chefs and restaurants responsible for making Los Angeles a food destination. From dining events, panel discussions, chef collaborations, volunteer projects, night markets, and cocktails this upcoming 31 days of food has something for everyone.

The official launch party will be taking place at Rossoblu this year and will feature an all star lineup of the best LA chefs creating “Things in a bowl.” The launch party will also be announcing the Restaurant of the Year and the winner of the Gold Award. Last year’s Restaurant of the Year award went to Locol (Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson) and the Gold Award was presented to Wolfgang Puck. For the first time ever the launch will also be open to public to share in the festivities.

With May only being months away the anticipation and excitement for the Food Bowl continues to grow. It is set to be a month full of excitement and endless delicious moments so mark your calendars for March 31st when the full list of events are released so you can start planning your May food event schedules.

"Top Chef" runner up Stefan Richter (courtesy of Bravo TV)

“Top Chef” alum, Stefan Richter, will celebrate his 15th anniversary in the U.S. this week with a special anniversary menu at his restaurant L.A. Farm.

The European chef is offering three courses for just $15 on April 9 and 10. It is his way of showing how thankful he is for all the success he’s garnered in the last 15 years.

Originally from Tampere, Finland, Richter began studying the culinary arts in his teens. He worked in various European kitchens before eventually settling in the U.S. after he was chosen as part of the creative team for the opening of the Bellagio Hotel in 1998. Richter appeared on two seasons of “Top Chef” and was a guest judge on the Finnish version of the show. He opened his restaurant Stefan’s at L.A. Farm in 2009.

The anniversary menu will include Gravlax with salmon, dill mustard sauce and watercress; Smoked Potato Soup; and German sausage with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes in a beer sauce.

The three courses will be offered between 5:30 pm and 10 pm on both days only.

Stefan’s at L.A. Farm is located at 3000 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica.

With hot summmer weather already taking over New York, what better way to cool down than with ice cream? Emack & Bolio’s SoHo, known as ice cream for the connoisseur, has become my favorite go-to place for ice cream, smoothies, and coffee!

Emack & Bolio’s opened in Boston in 1975. The store was named after two homeless men that the owners, who were lawyers, did pro bono work for. Each individual E&B store is slightly different, putting their own personal touch and creativity. The one thing they all have in common? Incredible, unique, ice cream. With flavors like Deep Purple Cow, Pumpkin, Mud Pie (Coffee ice cream with Oreo’s and chocolate pieces!), the choices are endless.

The Emack & Bolio’s SoHo is located at 73 West Houston. The store carries the E&B ice cream (Grasshopper Pie is a must try!) and coffee, but also has amazing smoothies (the Get Off Your Acai is my favorite). What stood out to me though, were the specialty waffle cones. I’d never seen a Rice Krispie cone until I walked into E&B. Famous photographer Terry Richardson had to stop to take picture of the cones (which you can see here).
If you’re in New York City, make sure you add Emack & Bolio’s to your to-do list.