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.
• The Underground ARTcade is looking to bring the art back to NoDa’s arts district. This Friday is the first of what will be a monthly art/artisan market, with vendors, food trucks, music and entertainment. This month, catch a so-bad-it’s-awesome B movie followed by tunes and rumpshaking courtesy DJ Enny Beats and guests from Lucid Evolution Society. #shoplocal
Free
Aug. 1. 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
CenterStage, 2315 N. Davidson St.
• There’s more to tomatoes than marinara sauce. Lunch and learn along with Chef Gene Briggs as he teaches how to prepare simple and satisfying dishes with the savory berry. Each recipe is paired with wine to compliment the vine-ripe flavor. The menu includes salads, lobster rolls, and even a tomato cupcake. #hurryandketchup
$44.95 (excludes tax and gratuity) Advance reservations required 704.927.2583
Aug. 2. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Blue Restaurant and Bar, 206 N. College St.
• Weekend festivals are probably the best way to relish these dog days of summer. Tie another one on at this weekend’s Triple C Summer Folk Festival, benefiting DrumsForCures. Featuring music from Bombadil, Sinners & Saints and Caroline Spence along with food trucks, cupcakes, popsicles and raffles, it sounds like a heat-beating treat. #newfolks
$15. Advance tickets here.
Aug. 2. 4 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Triple C Brewing Company, 2900 Griffith St.
More info here.
• Waxhaw’s Storefront Theatre gets Delicious! for the 2014-2015 season’s first fundraiser. Actress and board member Catherine Smith hosts dinner theater of a different sort with a menu prepared by chef Jason Ziobrowski (aka Chef Jay-Z) of InHarvest, a distributor of artisanal grains, rice and legumes. Enjoy the open bar and show off your own skills in the Chopped-style cooking challenge … or maybe do those in the opposite order. #mise-en-plays
$75. Advance tickets required here.
Aug. 3. 4-7 p.m.
4619 Ferguson Circle, Waxhaw
• In Japan, the word “Viking” is “Baikingu.” It’s the word for all-you-can-eat buffets. As a person who confronts buffets with a warrior spirit, I totally respect that. BAKU is out here trying to test my mettle with their new(ish) Sunday brunch — Baikingu. For one price, select shareable plates for the table (choices include Liège waffles and sushi), one entree (like baby back ribs or Jidori chicken), and taste all the desserts. All. Of. The. Desserts. If you’ve never had their sake-mosas you’ve been missing out. Sushi, daydrinking, and Sunday brunch are all in my top 5 favorite Sunday pastimes. If they play soul music on the patio and move the whole operation to Colorado, it’d basically be my own personal heaven. #goin
$36 Adults, $10 Kids
Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
BAKU, 4515 Sharon Road
Check out Dani’s wanderings, foodie and otherwise, at kinkythought.com. Got a line on some foodie happenings? Tweet her up @kinkythought.
This article appears in Jul 23-29, 2014.
