The Taste of Tennis in Indian Wells: A Smash Hit of Food, Fashion, and Fun

By Ersilia Pompilio

Yo, squad, this is the event that served up all the vibes at the BNP Paribas Open—Taste of Tennis in Indian Wells! Picture this: you're walking up to a red carpet, feeling like a tennis champ, but wait, they tell you, "Sorry, you're not a VIP." Uh, excuse me?! But hold up—we're all VIPs in our own right! $300 entrance fee? Check. Fresh new dress from Will Styles in Palm Springs? Check. Hair and makeup by the girls girls at Ulta Palm Desert on point? Check. We earned that red carpet, and we walked it like pros, no invites needed.

Brought to you by AYS marketing and rolling since 2000, Taste of Tennis was the ultimate culinary showdown, happening right in the backyard of the Hyatt in Indian Wells. The venue? Chef's kiss—a stunning outdoor lot where the food game was as strong as Serena’s backhand.

The Food—A Grand Slam of Flavor

Now, let’s talk about the real MVPs—the

chefs. We’re talking serious talent here. From

the legendary Angelo Sossa (yes, Top Chef fame) to local heavyweights like Susan Feniger, this event was an absolute feast for the senses. We’re talking about a buffet of more than 15 rockstar chefs representing the best of the Coachella Valley. Chef line-up? Next level. You had:

• Omar Salinas from Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort

• Eric Stenberg from Kestrel (shoutout to Richard Blais!)

• Nestor Ruiz from RD RNNR Libations & Plates

• And so many more, including the amazing chefs from Brandini Toffee, Kiki’s, and Heritage Palms Country Club.

  
  

After a minor moment of being slightly dissed at the entrance (we walked anyway, because we run this), we found ourselves in the ultimate foodie paradise. The drinks? Fresh, zesty, and top-tier. Our first stop: Lalo tequila with lime and sparkling water. Smooth, refreshing, and the perfect way to kick off the evening.

The highlight? Chef Angelo Sossa (yes, the Angelo from Top Chef) spoon-feeding us caviar. Caviar, people! This moment was everything. He was also flexing his culinary expertise with his two new restaurants—Tía Carmen and Carmocha—at the Hyatt. Plus, his lamb barbacoa? Juicy, tender, and spicy with a twist of mole madre. You had to be there.

Signature Sips: A Toast to Taste

Let’s talk cocktails. Ever heard of a drink that’s basically a tennis serve of perfection? Enter The Ace—a wild mash-up of an Arnold Palmer and an Espresso Martini. Segafredo Briliante cold brew, Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, citrus, and mint? Shake it up, and you've got a frothy, refreshing sip that hits the spot.

But the real ace of the night was the Wally’s Martini. Classic. Strong. Topped with blue cheese-stuffed olives. Yes, please. And did we mention that the Wally’s Martini came courtesy of Tamara Cash, the owner herself? Major bonus points for style and personality.

Legendary Chefs and Fan Favorites

Susan Feniger—our Palm Springs queen—was in the house, and the vibe was so good. She’s got that warmth, that charm, and of course, her signature dishes. Catch her documentary, Forked, which premiered at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival and is now streaming on Amazon for a deeper dive into her culinary world.

Shoutout to Jonathan Ungo of BaBaLoo in

Palm Desert who absolutely served us with his Peruvian fried rice—arroz chaufa de pollo and arroz chaufa de ongos (mixed mushrooms). If that doesn’t make you say, “Add to cart!” then what are you even doing?

Jon Butler from Kiki’s kept us coming back with his Ezzo pizza and sugar snap pea pizza. Oh, and did I mention the dessert? Hazelnut chocolate and sour red cherry gelato from Gelato Granucci and toffee vanilla ice cream from Brandini Toffee were basically the sweet spot of our night.

Fashion: A Full-Court Press of Style

If you thought this event was just about food, nah, honey. The fashion was next level. From Trina Turk’s chic tennis-inspired pieces to sparkly sequin pants lighting up the night, people were serving looks. We had guests from all over—Utah, Dallas, Arkansas—rocking their best outfits for the ultimate girls’ trip. Tennis chic was the vibe, and the purse game was straight fire—Chloe, Chanel, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, and Louis Vuitton were everywhere. We were definitely getting major inspo for our own wardrobes.

Tennis Talk: From the Court to the Kitchen

Now, let's talk tennis. Taste of Tennis supports Shay's Warriors, a local non-profit helping cancer survivors and their families. In the tennis spotlight? Qinwen Zheng, the tennis pro from China, who stopped by for an interview. She dished on her comeback at the BNP Paribas Open and shared her fave foods—Chinese and Mexican cuisine, baby—and a strict diet of chicken and rice (yep, just like the rest of the tennis crew).

So yeah, this year’s Taste of Tennis in Indian

Wells was a total smash—good food, fab drinks, fire fashion, and plenty of tennis-inspired fun. Can’t wait to see what next year has in store.

About the Author  

Ersilia Pompilio is the Editor in Chief of SQUAD Magazine, a Palm Springs guide for bachelorettes and ladies who love to leisure. With over two decades of experience in performing, producing live storytelling shows, and hosting a podcast, she has also taught storytelling classes and written professionally for several media outlets. Originally from Los Angeles, Ersilia is also a twenty-year resident of Palm Springs, California.