THOMAS, Tara

June 21, 1966 - August 11, 2022

Tara Thomas, owner and Executive Chef of the noted downtown LA eateries, 410 Boyd and Traxx, passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 11, 2022. Tara was a star of the LA culinary scene. In 1992, she opened her first restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles’ nascent Arts District, 410 Boyd. During her tenure at 410 Boyd, she was named each year as “Best Caterer” by the Los Angeles Downtown News. In 1996, Tara opened Traxx, a 120-seat white tablecloth fine dining restaurant and a key participant in the redevelopment of Union Station. While helming Traxx, she garnered many awards and recognition as one of America’s premiere restaurateurs, including a feature article in Gourmet Magazine. She was sought out by and had the privilege of cooking for many political luminaries on national, state and civic levels. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, Vice-President Al Gore and Senator Barbara Boxer chose her to cater their private receptions downtown. She hosted every living governor of California, as well as many other state and civic leaders, counting them as personal friends. In 2015, the City Council of Los Angeles honored Tara with an official resolution commending her for her courage and commitment “to the vital rebirth of downtown institutions both new and old,” calling her “truly an Angel in the City of Angels!” In addition to being a world-class chef/restaurateur, Tara also had a lifelong passion for the arts and was a well-known figure in the LA Art world. Serving on the boards of the LA Municipal Art Gallery and Art Share LA, a non-profit foundation serving the greater art community in downtown L.A. Among her other interests, Tara found time to breed and show Lakeland Terriers, including two champions. She was an active member of the Santa Barbara Kennel Club and frequented dog shows across the country. In 2005, she was baptized a Catholic at Delores Mission. She was an active supporter of both Homeboy Industries and Catholic Charities. Tara will be remembered for her grace, style, generosity, love of life, wonderful sense of humor and wit and ready laugh. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all those fortunate enough to have been included in her circle of life and love. Tara is survived by her father, Hardy Thomas, her brother, Kirk Thomas and her uncle, Anthony Eldridge. A private family gathering is planned. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc.