It’s food festival season in Los Angeles. Last week we mentioned Valley restaurants involved in The Taste, but there are still more involved at the 4^th Annual Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, August 21–24 in Downtown LA (with select few in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Hollywood, as well). This event brings over 100 culinary stars together from across the nation, including some from our own backyard: Studio City-based chefs C.J. Jacobson (Girasol), Antonia Lofaso (Black Market Liquor Bar), Jeffrey Saad (La Ventura) and Fabio Viviani (Firenze Osteria), who will be hosting and participating in numerous events during the weekend.  Tickets are selling fast, so click here for general info.

Lobster Roll Rumble                                                                                                      Photo: Eric So

The claws are out—lobster claws, that is. Tasting Table’s Lobster Rumble is this Friday, August 1, 7 to 10 p.m., at the Cooper Design Space in Downtown LA. Fourteen lobster purveyors will set up stations serving their respective take on the mighty East Coast specialty. Also included in the price of admission are savory sides, chips, an open bar (with cocktails, beer and wine), plus a dessert area including Sherman Oaks’ own Crème Caramel LA. For tickets and info, click here.

Fried chicken every which way.                                                                            Photo: Food GPS

Fried chicken in various forms (chocolate, waffles, maple, etc.) seems to be the dish of the moment, so all the more reason to check out the 3rd Annual Food GPS Fried Chicken Festival on August 17, 4 to 7 p.m., at Chinatown’s Central Plaza. It is an all-inclusive event with unique chicken dishes prepared by well-known LA chefs. There will also be beverages (cocktails, juice and craft soda) and sweet dessert options, including McConnell’s (the Santa Barbara legend that just expanded to the Grand Central Market), Sprinkles, Valerie Confections and Burbank’s very own Quenelle ice cream. In a world of very high food event ticket prices, this is a good deal starting at $65 per person. And part of the proceeds go to the Los Angeles Chinatown Youth Council. foodgps.com/friedchicken