TenderFest Los Angeles 2026

Chicken tenders get their moment in the spotlight this Saturday when TenderFest returns to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. It's a full day of all-you-can-eat tenders from some of the most respected kitchens in Los Angeles, plus a competition that puts several of those restaurants against each other for the title of LA's best.

This is one of the more fun LA food festivals on the calendar, and the lineup makes it worth the trip to Beverly Hills.

The Vendor Lineup

On the general tasting side, you'll find names like Le Coupé, Delilah, Dave's Hot Chicken, Pizzeria Mozza, Marvin, and Chimmelier each bringing their version of the beloved crispy strip. Dave's Hot Chicken alone has a devoted fanbase for its Nashville-style tenders, while Pizzeria Mozza (Nancy Silverton's institution) takes a different approach rooted in Italian-leaning California cooking.

The conTENDER Showdown

The competitive element is the conTENDER showdown, where Miya Miya, Jitlada, Petit Trois, and Lucia go head-to-head for tender supremacy. The judges: Nancy Silverton, Cat Cora, and Tim Hollingsworth. That's a panel that knows their way around a kitchen. Jitlada's Thai-influenced take and Petit Trois's French bistro sensibility should make for a genuine flavor contrast in the judging.

Tickets and Practical Info

Tickets start at $65, which covers all-you-can-eat access. The Wallis Annenberg Center sits at 9390 N Santa Monica Blvd in Beverly Hills. Parking in the area can be tight on weekends, so consider using Metro or a rideshare if you're coming from elsewhere in the city. Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend don't get much more delicious than this.

For tickets and event details, grab your spot through Tixr before they sell out. These LA food festivals tend to move fast.

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