Bit to Do

As more days fill with blue skies and Forecastle lineups are announced, Louisvillians are getting eager for the upcoming event and festival season. One fact we cannot refute – this city loves events.

My favorite? Food and drink-focused fun. Louisville continues to rack up accolades and recognition for its food and beverage scene, which causes my stomach to growl and get excited about what I may eat or drink this year. Based on the dozens events I consumed last year, I’ve narrowed them down to the five must-attend fêtes to feast on in 2015.

 

 

If you can’t make it the whole weekend, make it a point to attend the Bourbon Classic on Friday night. Nine of the city’s talented chefs, paired with nine bartenders and a bourbon distillery, will each create two dishes and two cocktails competing to create the best pairing. When you add a little competition into the mix, the teams get serious and it’s a win for the attendee.

 

 

This has quickly become my go-to Kentucky Derby event. How can you resist this southern staple, presented a half-dozen different ways by local chefs? From fried pimento cheese balls to BBQ and pimento cheese sliders and mini brioche grilled cheese to pimento kimchi, no two offerings are the same. And the bonus? Bourbon cocktails for dessert of course!

 

 

The national pork-centric event has found a comfortable stop in Louisville and is returning for its third year. Five local chefs are challenged to create six dishes utilizing one Heritage Breed pig. Besides the 30 dishes available for tasting, this extremely lively crowd can enjoy Bourbon tastings and cocktails, a cheese bar and ice cream samplings. The previous two years have crowned Annie Pettry (Decca) and Levon Wallace (Proof on Main) the BBQ Queen and King. I look forward to seeing who will join their ranks this year.

 

 

There’s nothing more pleasant than an evening of drinking beer from the regions’ best brewers in mini-beer mugs next to a fire pit on a crisp fall night. This is what date night dreams are made of. Rumor is this year we can expect 16 breweries, including Three Floyds, Dog Fish Head and regional favorites Against the Grain and Country Boy Brewing.

 

 

I like to think that Chef Annie Petry’s superb attention to detail is what makes Decca’s parties so great, so pay attention to Decca’s special events. Specifically, take note of their Beats & Eats series. Last year’s Hip Hop & Taco Shop night drew over 100 people who enjoyed $3-$4 tacos in the Decca Cellar and on the patio.