Each week, The Social Eater picks a handful of filter-friendly, tweetable, social media-shareable foodie events in and around the city. No #struggleplates allowed.
• At some point in your twenties, you move past "what can I drink to get completely wasted" to "what tastes good." For me, it happened when I realized shots were no longer my friend. On Wednesday evening, there's a great class hosted by the Charlotte Beer Babes that will help you transition to that sophisticated drinker you always wanted to be. Learn from a BJCP-certified Cicerone how to taste beer, and also take part in an off-flavor tasting. Admission includes light apps and all tasting beers. As this is a late notice, make sure to hit up the Babes on the Facebook event page to make sure there's room. $25. Oct. 29, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, 911 E. Morehead St. More info here.
My apologies for the brief hiatus! Best of Charlotte, vacation and general chaos at Creative Loafing has been distracting. But I'm back this week with The Social Eater, which offers a handful of filter-friendly, tweetable, social media-shareable foodie events in and around the city. No #struggleplates allowed.
• You'll come to NoDa F.A.M. Rally because, uh, it's a food truck rally in NoDa. But you'll stay for music by Pullman Strike and That Guy Smitty. Oct. 23, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. The Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St.
Each week, The Social Eater picks a handful of filter-friendly, tweetable, social media-shareable foodie events in and around the city. No #struggleplates allowed.
• Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! On Thursday, the Latin American Women's Association hosts SABOR Latino, where chef Julian Grajales will create authentic Colombian, Mexican and Peruvian dishes for your sampling. To purchase tickets, call 704-552-1003 with your credit card information. $25-$30. Sept. 25, 6:30-9 p.m. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road.
It's the weekend of festivals. Here's your weekly list of filter-friendly, tweetable, social media-shareable foodie events in and around the city. Ultra sad face that I picked THIS weekend to go out of town. Eat up for me, folks.
• Head out to Queen City Barbecue & Music Festival this weekend to be accosted with the tangy scent of smoky, savory meat lingering in the air. There's no such thing as too many barbecue fests in North Carolina, amirite? While pork will be a'plenty — because how could a BBQ in this lovely state not be overflowing in swine — beef brisket, beef ribs and chicken are also on the menu. Entertainment includes music from John D. Holman, Amigo, Marvelous Funkshun, Jason Lee McKinney Band and others; Lucha Libre wrestling; a sideshow; more. #divineswine $1-$5. Sept. 18-20, 11 a.m-11 p.m.; Sept. 21, Noon-6 p.m. Route 29 Pavilion Ver- El Mobile Village 5650 Sandusky Blvd. Concord, NC
Each week, The Social Eater picks a handful of filter-friendly, tweetable, social media-shareable foodie events in and around the city. No #struggleplates allowed.
• Cupcrazed Cakery's Heather McDonnell will compete on tonight's season premiere of the Food Network's Rewrapped, hosted by NSync's Joey Fatone. While Fatone probably won't be busting any boy-band moves, we will see McDonnell participating in a "Hostess Ho Ho Hoedown." (Their words, not mine.) Fingers are crossed she brings home another win, as last year, she won an episode of Cupcake Wars. Check out the viewing party tonight at Queen City Q. Because who doesn't love watching food competitions? #allsfairinloveanddesserts Sept. 8, 7 p.m. Queen City Q, 225 E. 6th St.
• If you've never been to the EpiCentre during the daytime (yes, I know some of you haven't), check out the 5th annual Sip & Stroll. My own wine glass collection has grown considerably from events like these that offer souvenir glasses and samplings of a variety of wines. There'll also be food samplings, art and entertainment. #daydrinkingrules $25-$40. Sept. 12, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sept. 13, 2 p.m.-8 p.m. EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. Purchase tickets here.
Each week, The Social Eater picks a handful of filter-friendly, tweetable, social media-shareable foodie events in and around the city. Albeit a little late, here's this week's. No #struggleplates allowed.
• When food competition shows started to get popular, I thought they were dumb because you couldn’t taste the food at home to judge along. Several years of Chop’d bingeing later, you can finally get your Chris Santos on at Fire in the City, a multi-round North Carolina chef competition series. Blind-taste a six-course menu, each featuring a mystery ingredient, from the finest chefs in Charlotte as they compete in a bracket competition through the end of September. The first few rounds are sold out but the competitions last through the end of next month. You have time! #firefire $74.78 Aug. 18 - Sept. 29 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Bonterra Dining & Wine Room, 1829 Cleveland Ave. Advance tickets required. For lineup and purchase visit http://www.competitiondining.com/events/fire-in-the-city
Each week, The Social Eater picks a handful of filter-friendly, tweetable, social media-shareable foodie events in and around the city. No #struggleplates allowed.
• How much do you contemplate the food on your plate? Thinktank and social entreprenuer hub Queen City Forward is hosting Innovation Challenge: Food Stakeholder Meeting — a series of community conversations to hash out on hash browns, ruminate on rutabagas, discuss daikon… you get the picture. Talk about food access, healthy choices and the further development of our ecosystem with major players and game changers in our midst. #musedbouche Free (RSVP here) Aug. 12. 6-7:30 p.m. Packard Place, 222 S. Church St.
Each week, The Social Eater picks a handful of filter-friendly, tweetable, social media-shareable foodie events in and around the city. No #struggleplates allowed.
• The Carolinas really are the hottest place in the world, at least in one category. The hottest chilli pepper — the Carolina Reaper — was cultivated just up the road in Rock Hill by Ed Currie of Pucker Butt Pepper Company. Chit chat with Ed at the Chili Pepper Symposium about how he started and what’s in store for the future while enjoying appetizers from Chef Darryl Hurts of The Spice Makers. I’ve tasted the Reaper myself, and it’s really not a game. Is your body ready? #puckerup $10 July 28. 6:45-8 p.m. Savory Spice Shop, 2000 South Blvd., Suite 150
• Craftlush is a partnership between Midwood neighbors Beadlush and twenty-two. Drink, make and mingle the night away while you learn new techniques just in time to get cracking on those Christmas gifts. (Let’s be real. It might take you that long.) This month, bring a little thing and learn how to make something cool with epoxy clay. #craftnbeers Free (with drink purchase) July 29. 8-10 p.m. twenty-two, 1500 Central Ave.
In light of recent world events, I thought it might be nice to fill this week’s list with happenings to feed the spirit and bring us all closer together. Bottomless mimosa pitchers generally fill that need for me, but I’m a work in progress. Here’s some soul food for the rest of y’all.
• Who doesn’t love a gift that keeps on giving? Head to NoDa Brewing for a White Elephant Gift Party, only instead of passing off an unwanted gift, pass along a nifty craft beer for someone else to enjoy. It’s seriously just that simple. Share the beer. #yeswecans Free July 21, 6:45 p.m. NoDa Brewing Company, 2229 N. Davidson St.
Each week, The Social Eater picks a handful of filter-friendly, tweetable, social media-shareable foodie events in and around the city. No #struggleplates allowed.
• There might be something better than free food, but I haven’t figured out what that is yet. Smashburger is opening at Cotswold Shopping Center and giving away free burgers. You can, of course, buy anything on the menu if you want to venture beyond the “classic” set of toppings, and you probably should. $1 from every purchase goes to local charity Ace & TJ’s Grin Kids. With regional specialties like the Carolina Chili burger (complete with Duke’s mayonnaise and slaw) and milkshakes made with Häagen-Dazs ice cream, you really can’t lose. Want a year’s supply of burgers? Instagram your burger with the hashtag #SmashRoadTrip and you might actually win. #summeronsmash Free “classic” burgers, other menu items available July 16, free burgers from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Smashburger, 4400 Randolph Rd. (Cotswold Village Shops)
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