Is The All-Star Chef Classic The Most Awesome Chef Event Of The Year?

These days, food and wine events are a dime a dozen. Every major city and even the odd minor city has one. The formula is mostly the same: A few headliner chefs appear at cooking demos and special events and do lots of schmoozing over the course of a weekend. But the All-Star Chef Classic, an annual gathering in Los Angeles spearheaded by Ludo and Krissy Lefebvre that takes place March 9-12 at L.A. Live, is something different. And awesome.

Awesome? How's this list of chefs, to name only a few out of several dozen: Alain Ducasse, Charles Phan, Edward Lee, Gastón Acurio, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, José Andrés, Paul Kahan, Paul Qui, Sean Brock and, of course, Ludo's partners in several L.A. hot spots, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. And the events planned avoid the usual stand-and-graze setup in favor of a seriously world-class dinner series in a dramatic kitchen stadium, a big-time grillout called the Grill n' Chill, and kids' cooking classes. (You can purchase tickets and read up on the events, as well as view a complete list of participating chefs, here.)

But don't take our word for it. We reached out to four A-list chefs, all of whom answered a few quick questions about why they're taking part in the All-Star Chef Classic this year and what they'll be doing while in Los Angeles. Here's what Naomi Pomeroy, Iñaki Aizpitarte, Gavin Kaysen and Wylie Dufresne had to say.

Why are you participating in the All-Star Chef Classic?

I love connecting with other amazing chefs from around the country (and the world!). It's an awesome opportunity to work side by side, and also a chance for us to get to know each other more as friends too. It's a really fun event.

What's your most memorable moment from a past All-Star Chef Classic?

I didn't do last year because I had a date conflict, but the year before I had a super-fun time getting silly with Dominique Crenn and Nancy Silverton.

What will you be doing there this year?

I am participating in the American Masters dinner and cooking at the Grill n' Chill grilling event. I'm doing vegetarian for that one if you can believe it! I'm super-excited to cook with Sean [Brock], Wiley, Jamie [Bissonnette] and everyone on American Masters!

What else are you psyched to do while visiting L.A.?

My step-kids live there in L.A., so this event actually coincides with our already planned parenting time. So we will probably end up doing some fun kids things — like eating gelato at Pizzeria Mozza!

Why are you participating in the All-Star Chef Classic?

Because I'm happy to work and spend some time with my friend Ludo! The event is always great fun!

What's your most memorable moment from past years?

I really can't share that with you! But the second one would be when I cooked the blood for blood cake. I had to pour it in a huge tilt skillet and all the other chefs were around me wondering what in the world I was doing.

What will you be doing there this year?

This year I wanted to change my contribution to the menu and propose a dessert [for the French Masters Dinner; he's also participating in Grill n' Chill]. I can't give you more details. It's a surprise!

What else are you psyched to do while visiting L.A.?

Visit my friends, drive through this frantic city, take a brunch at Ludo's Trois Familia and try to hit the beach and enjoy the Californian sun.

Why are you participating in the All-Star Chef Classic?

Because Ludo and Krissy put together an all-out class-act event, where I am able to be around a great group of chefs and clientele.

What's your most memorable moment from past years?

The last time I was there, I had just announced I was leaving Cafe Boulud in NYC to move home to open my own place. There was a lot of energy around that, so that was a nice memory for me.

What will you be doing there this year?

I can't give away my dish just yet — but would love to see you there.

What else are you psyched to do while visiting L.A.?

I am on a taco binge right now, so there is that, and I am looking forward to seeing my friend Timothy [Hollingsworth] at Otium and giving that a try.

Why are you participating in the All-Star Chef Classic?

The format is completely different from any other event. The way you get to interact with the diners while you are cooking, rather than at the end of the meal, is really fun. It's my favorite event of the year.

What's your most memorable moment from past years?

Seeing Marc Meneau was a personal highlight. I was lucky to have spent a few weeks in his kitchen in 1996, and it left a deep impression on me. I hadn't seen him since.

What will you be doing there this year?

We are serving hamachi, duck skin, walnut emulsion [at the American Masters Dinner].

What else are you psyched to do while visiting L.A.?

I always look forward to seeing other chefs that come to the event as well as hopefully dining in L.A. It's easily one of the most exciting cities to eat in at the moment!

The All-Star Chef Classic takes place at L.A. Live March 9-12. Tickets are available at allstarchefsclassic.com.