Welcome to LaBaliSe — a Festival of Taste and Emotions

Festival Team

Our team consists of people who live and breathe gastronomy, creativity, and festival atmosphere. We bring together the best restaurants, chefs, and food cultures from around the world to create an unforgettable experience for our guests.

Albert Gayhart — Chief Organizer

Role: Oversees festival preparations, communications with restaurants and partners.

About himself: 10 years in the event industry, loves to combine gastronomy with music and spectacular shows.

Special feature: Always the first to try new dishes and share her impressions on social media.

Troy Stackpole — Culinary Curator

Role: Develops the gastronomic program, invites chefs, and designs master classes.

About herself: Professional chef with experience working in Los Angeles and Tokyo.

Special feature: Loves bold flavor combinations and creative presentation techniques.

Anne Panos — PR and Marketing

Role: Promotes the festival, works with the media, social networks, and bloggers.

About herself: Eight years of experience in gastronomic marketing, fan of the visual aesthetics of food.

Special skill: Can find the perfect shot for Instagram in five seconds.

Ken Ellis — Music Producer

Role: Responsible for live performances, DJ sets, and musical accompaniment.

About himself: Has worked with major music festivals in the US.

Special skill: Combines music and gastronomy to make every day unique.

Dorothy Barger — Designer and Art Director

Role: Visual concept of the festival: design of areas, banners, stages, and social media.

About herself: Loves minimalism and bright accents, inspired by street culture.

Special skill: Can turn any food area into a photogenic space.

Lee Smalls — Logistics and Technical Support

Role: Coordinates setup, equipment, food areas, and safety.

About me: Experience working at major festivals and food events around the world.

Special skill: Always knows where to find a spare table, grill, or chef’s knife.

Gastronomic Residents

Lumo Kitchen (Los Angeles)

Cuisine: contemporary Californian cuisine
Special feature: local produce + signature techniques
What’s on offer at the festival: mini tacos with farm-fresh vegetables, citrus ceviche, warm corn dip.
Why you should try it: the balance of freshness, textures, and vibrant flavors.

Barrio Fuego (Mexico City)

Cuisine: premium Mexican street food
Special feature: open fire, handmade tortillas, homemade sauces
Festival specials: taco al pastor, chorizo bowl, spicy salsa bar.
Why you should try it: authentic Mexico — hot, rich, fiery.

Yuki & Sons (Tokyo)

Cuisine: Japanese gastronomy with a twist
Special feature: signature takes on classic dishes
At the festival: ramen with creamy yuzu, tempura rolls, shrimp gyoza.
Why you should try it: a combination of minimalism and powerful flavors.

Smoke District BBQ (Texas)

Cuisine: Texas BBQ
Specialty: 14-hour smoker, proprietary spices
At the festival: brisket, smoked ribs, bourbon sauce.
Why you should try it: perfect texture, rich smoke, deep flavor.

Verde Lab (San Francisco)

Cuisine: new plant-based menu
Special feature: vegan dishes that surprise even meat eaters
At the festival: BBQ tofu bao, green pasta with basil and cashew pesto, matcha cloud dessert.
Why you should try it: lightness, brightness, and innovation on your plate.

Côte du Soleil (France)

Cuisine: French bistronomy
Special feature: food and wine pairings
At the festival: cheese plate with honey notes, tartare, mini croissants with truffles.
Why you should try it: French classics in a light festival format.

Questions and Answers

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the festival: tickets, program, participating restaurants, and visiting rules. Everything you need to know to make your time at LaBaliSe as comfortable and interesting as possible.

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