55th Annual Grammy Awards Exclusive Behind the Scenes Kitchen Tour & Food Tasting

Did you read the header?, let’s read it again:

55th Annual Grammy Awards Exclusive Behind the Scenes Kitchen Tour & Food Tasting

That sounds amazing right?!, The other day I had what I  considered one of the best assignments or well at least it is one of my top 10 assignments ever. As usual I got an email from my Assignment Editor asking if I was available to shoot an assignment, checked my agenda and I was available, the assignment was a Kitchen Tour & Food Tasting (yeah food tasting!) of the Exclusive dishes that will be served at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center.

When I get to the Staples Center we were 4 or 5 photographers and probably 4 camera crews with a reporter, we all were escorted inside the Staples Center and were given instructions, once there we were introduced to the Executive Chef Joseph Martin, (he is the one responsible of all those delicious dishes that Stars, Singers, Presenters and guest will enjoy the night of the biggest night of the year in Music!).

As some say, “A Picture is worth a thousand words”, well no picture will be even close to the exquisite flavor of those dishes, I didn’t have to win a Grammy or be a presenter to had the chance to enjoy some of those delicious plates.

Here they are:

Margaritas with Reposado (L) | Shrimp Ceviche

Caprese Sandwich | Mozzarella with basil, E.V.O.O. persto aioli and “Rustico” Kalamata olive bread.

Kobe Burguer

Shrimp Ceviche

Shrimp Ceviche

The stars have aligned once again this awards season and the Staples Center Executive Chef Joseph Martin and his team have put together a menu with something delicious for everyone in attendance at this year’s GRAMMY Awards:

Menu for the Stars: A Suite Preview

Exclusive Taste of the GRAMMYS behind the scenes media tour we were treated to the site life, we tasted a variety of the food being serve to the musicians, presenters and guest, including:

• Meze Sampler: Firecracker Feta, lemon-garlic hummus with pickled “Underwood Ranch” carrots marinated cucumbers and olives, served with crispy flatbread, crackers and mini ficelle.
• Scarborough Farms Baby Arugala and Smoked Portobello Mushroom Salad
• Fra’mani Handcrafted Salumi
• Caprese Sandwich
• Wild California Coastal Mushroom Tart
• Niman Ranch Short Ribs
• Sushi Martini
• Coachella Valley Speckled Lettuce Salad
• Kurobuta Torta
• Waffle-Crusted, All-Natural Jidori Fried Chicken
• Risotto Pancake
• Chilled Lemongrass Sour
• Lobster Beignets

A-List Drinks
Gingersnap Limeade
Margaritas with Reposado

GRAMMY Awards Food by the Numbers

From Celebrities in the seats to performers, guest, fans and crew at the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards Staples Center will serve the following:

•  8,000 pieces of Sushi
• 400 lbs of Artisan Cheese
• 1,200 bottles of Wine
• 1,340 lbs of Chicken
• 1,090 lbs of Beef
• 240 lbs of Lobster
• 100 lbs of Crab
• 240 lbs of Shrimp
• 100 lbs of Tuna
• 400 Pacifict Oysters

What do you think?, are you willing to produce an Award Winning album for the chance to taste some of this dishes at next year Grammy Awards?, or maybe you can become a reporter and if you’re lucky get the Food Media Tour assignment 😉

Best,

Jc Olivera
Los Angeles Editorial Photographer