The 8th annual Taste of Santa Monica in partnership with Cirque Du Soleil’s Kooza, presented a food-filled day, featuring neighborhood restaurants, live music and great prizes. This annual event made a humble beginning in 2001  with the participation of 15 restaurants, drawing a crowd of 600 people. Over the past 8 years the event has grown in scale, size and popularity featuring  50 restaurants this year and pulling a crowd of  nearly 5000 people.

Laurel Rosen, President, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce

Laurel Rosen, President of Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce says, “this signature Santa Monica event is a part of our buy local and shop local campaign. These events not only showcase the community businesses but bring them resources, and help them connect with the community members specially in these hard economic times.”

Tuhin Bhattacharya and Eugene Cheng, Representatives, Taste Buds

The change in the price structure has been one of the key factors this year that has attracted more people, since they can enjoy more food for less,” said  Eugene Cheng from Taste Buds. Cheng is a part of a group of elected individuals whose primary aim is to explore and discover diverse food (“Taste”), hidden restaurant gems in SoCal and to enjoy the food in the company of friends (“Buds”).

Save your Taste of Santa Monica tickets to avail a 20% discount on Kooza by Cirque du Soleil in October.  The ticket stubs can be presented at the KOOZA box office next to the Grand Chapiteau at the Santa Monica Pier as of October 14.