La Jolla Music Society
Tasting Notes
In this Synergy Series event, James Beard Award-winning culinary icon J. Kenji López-Alt leads an extraordinary exploration of the parallels between music and food. As a dynamic ensemble of world-class musicians performs works including Dvořák’s Piano Quintet, one of four acclaimed guest chefs—curated by López-Alt—will prepare a dish live on stage, their creative process projected in real time for the audience to witness. Between movements, chefs and musicians engage in a lively conversation about their shared artistry, improvisation, and inspiration. Tasting Notes is a multisensory experience unlike any other at SummerFest—an unforgettable meeting of culinary and musical mastery.
Tasting Notes tickets include a musical performance and cooking demonstration. No food will be served during this event.
Chefs
J. Kenji López-Alt, Claudette Zepeda, Kelly Van Arsdale, and a guest chef from San Diego’s Café Coyote.
Music
DVOŘÁK
Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 87
Inon Barnatan, piano; Tessa Lark, violin; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; Sterling Elliott, cello
Media Sponsor
J. Kenji López-Alt
Chief Culinary Advisor for the popular website Serious Eats, New York Times food columnist, and James Beard Award-winning cookbook author.
Sean Sherman
A member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe, Sean is an award-winning chef on a personal mission is to revitalize Indigenous food systems.
Kelly Van Arsdale
Co-founder of Spinnaker Chocolate in Seattle, which makes award-winning chocolate produced from the finest cacao in the world.
Claudette Zepeda
An award-winning, San Diego-based chef and culinary entrepreneur known for her fearless style and bold approach to regional Mexican cuisine.
Guest Chef from Café Coyote
Cafe Coyote’s friendly staff, delicious Mexican food, refreshing margaritas, and festive atmosphere have made it a San Diego favorite for over 30 years!
The Synergy Initiative
This series, co-produced by Inon Barnatan and Clara Wu Tsai, invites top creators of music, dance, spoken word, and visual arts to collaborate across their different art forms to produce performances that inspire audiences in unexpected and powerful ways.
Other SYNERGY performances include:
Sunday, August 17, 2025 · 3 PM & 6 PM
DANCE @ THE JAI
Featuring Caleb Teicher & Nic Gareiss
Performance image courtesy of Seattle Chamber Music Society / Jenna Poppe