Masters of Taste Returns to Rose Bowl, Kicks Off with Union Station Luncheon

Annual food festival aims to raise funds and awareness for Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:55pm

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Masters of Taste, a popular annual food festival in Pasadena, is returning to the Rose Bowl Stadium on April 19, 2026. The event kicked off its 2026 season with a luncheon at the Union Station Homeless Services (USHS) Adult Center, bringing together supporters and media to highlight the organization's mission of moving people off the streets and into stable housing.

Why it matters

Masters of Taste is more than just a culinary event - it serves as a major fundraiser for USHS, the San Gabriel Valley's largest provider of homeless services. The luncheon emphasized the organization's housing-first approach and its recent expansion of services for families, underscoring the importance of the festival's efforts to address homelessness in the region.

The details

This year's Masters of Taste will feature chef-owners Vanessa and Thomas Tilaka Kalb of Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery as the featured chefs. The event is returning to the Rose Bowl after scaling down last year out of respect for the Eaton Fire victims in the Altadena community. USHS leadership, including new Executive Director Katy Hill, hosted the kickoff luncheon, highlighting the organization's 97% housing retention rate for clients and its recent $5 million grant to provide interim housing and services for over 700 families.

  • Masters of Taste 2026 will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
  • The kickoff luncheon took place on Wednesday at the USHS Adult Center in Pasadena.

The players

Union Station Homeless Services (USHS)

The San Gabriel Valley's largest provider of homeless services, emphasizing a housing-first approach and wraparound services.

Katy Hill

The new Executive Director of USHS, preparing for her first Masters of Taste event.

Vanessa and Thomas Tilaka Kalb

The chef-owners of Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery, who will serve as the featured chefs for Masters of Taste 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I'm honored and excited to be a part of all of this.”

— Katy Hill, Executive Director, Union Station Homeless Services (pasadenanow.com)

“I played football all throughout high school, and I'm excited to be on the field at the Rose Bowl!”

— Thomas Tilaka Kalb, Chef-owner, Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery (pasadenanow.com)

What’s next

Masters of Taste 2026 will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.

The takeaway

Masters of Taste is more than just a culinary event - it serves as a critical fundraiser for Union Station Homeless Services, helping to address the persistent issue of homelessness in the Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley region through a housing-first approach and expanded services for families.