While this year’s Taste of Los Gatos will feature Rush cover band R50 and Livewire headlining the main stage, with Chain of Fools, Identity Problem, Phill & Rob and Sam Marshall scattered throughout the one-day street party, make no mistake, the essence of the fest will be the nibbles and libations.
Last week, in an interview with the Los Gatan, the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce shared more details about their plan to turn the downtown core into a food and beverage “oasis,” Sept. 6, from noon to 5pm.
“It’s really telling the story of Los Gatos as a culinary destination,” said Chamber CEO Jennifer Lin. “I really do feel like we’re experiencing a culinary renaissance here.”
Lin was in a buoyant mood, after Planning Commission supported the food-and-furniture plan by RH, the upscale company based up in Marin County’s Corte Madera.
“They recognize that Los Gatos is a destination,” she said of the business known as Restoration Hardware until 2012. “And if approved, it will only help us to elevate that reputation and drive even more regional traffic here.”
(Drew Penner / Los Gatan)
Meanwhile, Barnes & Noble has been renovating the former Vidi Vici Gallery space on Grays Lane.
“There’s actually a lot of energy and momentum in our downtown, and the Chamber is conscientiously—and strategically—building on that,” Lin said. “It’s amazing what we offer without having to drive very far.”
It’s been all-hands-on-deck at the Visitor’s Bureau at 10 Station Way, where the organization has its offices, as Beth Foley, multimedia designer, and Rita Kelly, events and marketing coordinator, poured over maps and sifted through details about the eats and sips to be offered at Taste.
At the time of the interview, selections were continuing to pour in from the 27 restaurants and 20 local wineries that are participating. But here’s a sneak peek…
–Oren’s Hummus: mini falafels and pita wedges.
–Telefèric Barcelona: duck confit empanadas with spicy aioli
–The Lexington House: nectarine crostini (garlic butter, burrata, crispy capocollo, nectarine, seasonal berries, balsamic)
–Michi Catering: sushi handrolls
–Coup de Thai: famous dragon balls
–The Pastaria & Market: tortellone a la vodka and peas
“We find people just love being in the middle of the street connecting with neighbors and making new friends,” Lin remarked. “And we do think that this festival is one of the best ways that we can share who we are.”
The Chamber’s leadership believes that creating a unique and impactful experience for out-of-towners will help to generate economic lift over the longer term.
“Once people come and discover us, we find they come back over and over again,” Lin said. “The Chamber is very much about a community celebration, but we’re always trying to bring in new visitors and drive new traffic.”
After all, she adds, who wouldn’t want to come here?
“We’re like this idyllic, charming oasis,” Lin said. “At this festival, it’s going to be a warm, welcoming atmosphere.”
This year’s event will feature an interactive digital map to make wayfinding easier.
“People will actually go to the business locations. They will go to the restaurants to go to get their bites, and they will go to our stores who are hosting the wineries to do their wine tasting,” Lin said. “The restaurants will be marked with a red flag outside their entrance, and the wine tasting locations will be marked by a blue flag.”
None of this would’ve been possible without the help of sponsors, including 2025 Chamber Title Sponsors El Camino Health, Good Samaritan and Netflix, all of whom came in at the $8,000+ “diamond level,” adds Lin. Netflix is even partnering with Cinelux to hand out popcorn at the Los Gatos Theatre during the festival.
“Having their trust and financial support, it enables us to offer a lot of things to the community,” Lin said, noting Netflix increased their community involvement this year. “Timing was right.”
The Chamber is encouraging people to purchase their wristbands early, as last year they did sell out.
It’s selling a Bites and Libations tasting ticket for $95 (presale price), and a Bites Only ticket for $75.
