Well, school has started, Labor Day is over and the Halloween candy is already packing the aisles at Target (well, Costco already has their Christmas stuff out, but that is apparently a tradition). There's no denying it: we might be headed to 93 degrees this afternoon, but autumn is on its way. Which is sad and exciting at the same time. It means we can start going to events around the city without melting in the August sun! Scarves are just around the corner! As is befitting of a Columbus food blog, there are lots and lots of food-related events this week! It's the season for eating, I suppose.
I kept mental notes all week of things I wanted to add to this list, so I am sure I will forget something. As always, please send me an email and I will update the list accordingly.
- Well, someone has beat me to my book idea - but this weekend at the Clintonville Farmer's Market, you can meet Marilou Suszko, who will be there to promote her new book Food & Farms of Ohio
. You can also see a cooking demo by Chef Marth Balint of Local Matters, 9apm - noon.
- In other local food news, a new 30 minute cooking show featuring the Columbus Dispatch's Robyn Davis will premeir this Saturday night at 7pm on channel 10. That's one for the DVR.
- This weekend is the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival. Whether or not you believe the tomato was discovered in a suburb of our fair city, it's a great time to celebrate all things tomato! The festival begins this evening and continues through Sunday. Click on their website above for more information.
- If you fancy a long (hot) evening of great food and wine, then head to Franklin Park Conservatory this Friday night (6:30 - 10pm) for the Columbus Food & Wine affair. This will be the first year in a few that I haven't been there making shrimp & grits in a few years, which is sad, but alas, we all move on. The event features live music and, of course, lots of food from local restaurants and wine from all over. As a bonus, it's in a lovely setting. If you are in the hospitality business, bring a pay stub with you for the industry tasting from 2-4pm for $5. Tickets for the general public are $100 and include a souvenir Reidel wine glass. Click above for more info.
- Speaking of uber foodie events, Tuesday, September 11th is Taste the Future at Columbus State, yet another event to gorge yourself. Personally, I'm thinking of donning my chef coat and crashing (who needs drink tickets?!) This events celebrates restaurants who participate in the CSCC culinary apprenticeship program (which are all the good ones), and there is always lots of yummy food. Tickets are $100 for this event as well.
- Hey, guess what!? Via Colari is back! It was on, then off, then on, but thanks to the lovely folks at the North Market, it is back on! The event will take place this Saturday and Sunday, when 150 local and national artists, professional and amateur, will be chalking it up. Click to the North Market for more information.
- Love Longaberger? Maybe you just want to visit the largest basket on the planet? This weekend is Longaberger Heritage days (Friday & Saturday, 9am - 7pm). You can hear live music and get an in-depth look at the basket making process. Tickets are $10.
- This weekend at the Wexner Center, you can see Ten Canoes Thursday & Friday at 7pm.
- Cooking classes at Sur la Table are: Essential knife skills tonight at 6:30pm ($65) and a children's cooking class Saturday, September 8th, will show kids how to cook healthy dinners at 10:30 am ($45). Click through to their calender or call 614.473.12211 to sign up. Classes require advance payment, etc.
- Can you believe Whole Foods has been here for 2 years? They are celebrating their birthday all week with lots of events: this Friday is a Back to School Bash for kids, 3pm - 6pm (free); the adults can enjoy a special anniversary soiree during the Friday Five after Five ($5); celebrate Whole Food's birthday with free cake and ice cream Saturday at 3pm. Next Thursday, learn how to Tailgate in Style with Columbus Culinary Institute's Marc Dullin ($35, 6:30 pm), and lastly, Saturday, September 15th will be another Buckeye Bounty Community Market (9am - 2pm) where you can buy lots of Ohio made products and Amish crafts.
- Williams-Sonoma has released their schedule of free (yes, free) technique classes for their Easton store. Classes take place at 11am on Sundays. September 9th, learn the basics of fresh pasta; next Sunday, September 16th, learn all about Autumn braising (one of my favorite topics!). Call the store for more details: 614.476.2957.
- Saturdays through September, you can visit the Wilds for a special "Sunset Safari." For $60, you can enjoy a buffet dinner and a personally guided tour, along with special visits to the cranes and rhinos. Please visit the Wilds' website for more information.
- The Ohio Renaissance Festival goes on and on until the late October. I'm sure there will be lots of corsets, jousting, and turkey legs to be had by all. I probably have a few friends from college who will be hanging out there (we English majors, a silly lot all). The Ren Fest takes place in Harveysburg, Ohio, which is right in the middle of Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati. Admission is $17, and group and discount tickets are available online.
- In TV news, Jeni's Ice Cream will be featured on Monday's "Sweet & Salty" episode of "Unwrapped" on the Food Network at 9pm.
- If you love Japanese pottery as much as I do, there will be a sale this weekend at Tensuke Market, on Friday & Saturday. Most pieces will be $1.50, and the nice ladies working there assured me there would be thousands of pieces. Hooray! Tensuke Market is located in the Kenny Centre, at the SW corner of Kenny Road and Old Henderson (just south of Henderson).
- This Friday (5-8pm) at the Chop Chop Gallery (78 Parsons), you can see the "Roadworthy" exhibit, which features artist from Visionaries & Voices (which assists challenged individuals). There are a few more cool exhibits coming to Chop Chop, so be sure to visit their website and give them some support.
- This weekend is the Hot Times Festival in Old Town East. The event, which goes from Friday through Sunday, features music, dancing, and performance artists. Click to their website for more information.
- This weekend is Powell Days in Powell! Antiques and street vendors will be everywhere for this event (did you know Powell has a cupcake bakery?). Click for more info.
- This weekend is the Grandview Ox Roast - Pierce Field will be the spot for lots of beef eating, so it would seem. The event takes place Thursday - Saturday in the evenings. Click for more info. Confidential to Mikey - I can't believe you've never told me about this tradition?! How could I miss this! I expect a full report.
