Lexus Upgrades Drive-In Movies With Chef-Prepared Food

Luxurious Experience

Drive-in movies, which were essentially extinct before the COVID-19 pandemic, are in the midst of a major comeback lately. But Lexus, fittingly for a luxury automaker, is trying to make that experience a bit more luxurious. Recently, the automaker hosted the first-ever Lexus Culinary Cinema – a three-night gourmet drive-in movie event at L.A. LIVE’s Event Deck in downtown Los Angeles.

Photos: Lexus

Sold Out

The event, which took place over three nights (each of them sold out), elevated the typical drive-in movie experience by featuring Lexus Culinary Masters, Chefs Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo, Ludo Lefebvre, and Carlo Mirarchi, to create gourmet dinners inspired by the feature film being shown each evening. On each of those three nights, over 100 vehicles rolled in to soak in the unique experience.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about Lexus' Drive-In Features right here in the ClubLexus Forum.

Rotating Offerings

Each evening featured a different menu curated by a Lexus Culinary Master. Chefs Jon and Vinny opened the event with cuisine paired with “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Chef Ludo followed with dishes designed for the film “Sideways,” and Chef Carlo closed the series with dinner fare fit for “Little Miss Sunshine.” 

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about Lexus' Drive-In Features right here in the ClubLexus Forum.

Elevated Experience

"We understand people’s desire for socially distanced outdoor events. As a human-centric brand, we continue to explore ways to innovate and create elevated experiences for our guests," said Lisa Materazzo, Lexus vice president of marketing. "With the help of our talented roster of Culinary Master chefs, Lexus Culinary Cinema brought gourmet dining to the classic drive-in movie theater, and provided an experience only Lexus could deliver."

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about Lexus' Drive-In Features right here in the ClubLexus Forum.

New Experience

For the paltry sum of $25, guests enjoyed not only a three-course, chef-prepared meal and a movie, but they also received a gift bag and participated in pre-movie trivia. Altogether, the Lexus Culinary Cinema event is a natural extension for the brand, which has held a number of chef-driven events in the past, albeit none that took place in a drive-in movie.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about Lexus' Drive-In Features right here in the ClubLexus Forum.

Culinary Masters

The current group of Lexus Culinary Masters includes James Beard Award-winning chefs Michelle Bernstein, Stephanie Izard, Jon Shook, and Vinny Dotolo; Michelin star awarded chefs such as the legendary Daniel Boulud, Dominique Crenn, Ludo Lefebvre, Nickolas Martinez, and Carlo Mirarchi; celebrated sommelier Carlton McCoy, and the "father of Southern Cuisine" Dean Fearing.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about Lexus' Drive-In Features right here in the ClubLexus Forum.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.