THE LOCAL PALATE
OCTOBER
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Oct 3-5: NORTH CAROLINA
SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
Morehead City, NC | ncseafoodfestival.org
Head on over to Morehead City, North Carolina, for
the state’s largest celebration, their 28th annual seafood
extravaganza featuring all the fried fish, sweet shrimp,
and fresh-shucked oysters you might care to imbibe. For
the seaworthy there is a sailing regatta, but if you prefer
two feet on land, the “flounder fling” or the family fishing
tournament might be more your speed.
Oct 4: HOGS FOR THE CAUSE
Charleston, SC | hogscharleston.org
Drive by Truckers, Soul Rebels Brass Band, and Sol Driven
Train will master the stage, leaving you free to “pig out’’
on some of the best barbeque in the world. Opt for the
“Passpork” for barbequed bites from South Carolina’s best or,
for a truly decadent evening, spring for the limited The Local
PalateVIP area, a magical land where the bar is always open
and star chefs such as Justin Devillier and Ryan Prewitt
casually cook up dinner.
Around the South
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Oct 10-12: FIRST ANNUAL BOURBON SOCIAL
Central Kentucky | thebourbonsocial.com
Oct 18: FESTIVAL OF FLAVOR
Foley, AL | southbaldwinchamber.com
A celebration of bourbon including tastings and seminars
from industry greats like Dale DeGroff and Richard Betts,
as well a few other participants you’re sure to be familiar
with (Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, Pappy…the list goes on)!
After you’ve scarfed down that summer seafood gumbo,
learn to master the recipe. The Festival of Flavor held in
historic downtown Foley will be brimming with dishes that
highlight Alabama’s local fare, and will also include cooking
competitions, wine pairings, and if you pay attention,
more than a few Southern cooking secrets.
Oct 15: WHISKEY AFTER DARK
Charleston, SC | thelocalpalate.com
Whether your preference is for spiced, smooth, or single
cask, you’ll have options at this exclusive event hosted
by The Local Palate. What’ could be cozier? Try the
buttery deliciousness of Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits, the
perfect complement to cleanse your palate between sips.
Oct 15-19: CHATTANOOGA OKTOBERFEST
Chattanooga, TN | chattanoogaoktoberfest.com
Prost! Enjoy brats with a boot of beer at Chattanooga’s
oldest and largest Oktoberfest, where a live German oom pah
pah band will be playing out in the tented biergarten. Don’t
leave without snagging some fresh-baked German pastries.
Oct 24: ARKANSAS TIMES
CRAFT BEER FEST
Little Rock, AR | arktimes.com
Five years ago you could count the number of craft breweries
in Arkansas on one hand. Now the proverbial cup overfloweth.
Take the opportunity to taste newcomers like Stones Throw
and Flyaway Brewing Co. at the 3rd Annual Arkansas
Times Brewing Festival.
OCT 25: COWS ‘N CABS
Winter Park, FL | cowsncabs.com
Oct 5: BREAKIN’ BREAD
Birmingham, AL | birminghamoriginals.org
Oct 16: LA DOLCE VITA
Austin, TX | thecontemporaryaustin.org
The Birmingham Originals strive for all the good things:
sustainability awareness, community connection, economic
growth, and the success of local independent restaurants.
Basically they are super-heroes. Superpowers aside, they
will still need support for Breakin’ Bread, a local flavor
festival showcasing the fruits of their labor.
Artists will be performing live amid a backdrop of glowing
lights, hip beats, and delicacies from the talented chefs
of central Texas. On the shores of Lake Austin at an Italianstyle villa, La Dolce Vita promises to be una bella notte.
Cows ‘N Cabs (as in Cabernets) is a charity event that
brings together culinary talent throughout central Florida
for an evening of fundraising that’s good for the soul
and the stomach. Puff cigars and savor craft beer, wine,
and food in support of the community food and outreach
center and Elevate Orlando, which works to empower
underpriveledged youth, through mentoring, character
education, and leadership training.
Oct 9-11: TERRAVITA FOOD AND WINE EVENT
Chapel Hill, NC | terravitaevent.com
Oct 16: THE GREAT AMERICAN WHISKEY FAIR
Columbia, SC | experiencewhiskey.com
Oct 30-Nov 2: FIRE, FLOUR, AND FORK
Richmond, VA | fireflourandfork.com
Restaurant Bourbon honors its namesake spirit with a festival
that takes you from cask to glass. Top distilleries will be
pouring samples as you munch on Creole and Cajun fare.
Stick around for a cocktail standoff and an after party
where you can dance (or drink) the night away.
In the ‘Fire’ tasting tent, you’ll be able to sip Charred
Ordinary cider from Courtney Mailey of Blue Bee Cider,
nibble smoking hot BBQ from Tuffy Stone, and savor
some spit cookin’ from Craig Rogers of Border Spring
Farms. At the ‘Flour’ tent, expect all things baked, battered
and bready. And at the ‘Fork’ tent? You’ll just have to find
out for yourself at this ‘gathering for the food curious.’
“Terra” is Latin for “of the earth” and “vita” means “life,”
a perfect title for a food and wine event that focuses on
sustainability and high-quality, local, and organic produce.
After all, when you live among the fertile food systems
of North Carolina, why would you eat any other way?
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THELOCALPALATE.COM / OCTOBER 2014
TERRAVITA PHOTO COURTESY OF SARA LOGAN
Culinary Events