Food, Video December 31, 2010

The 2011 Birmingham food preview

Photo: Exceptional Chili Cookoff

Feel the heat in March at the annual Exceptional Chili Cookoff in Homewood Park.

Get out your calendars: You won’t want to miss any event on our list of Birmingham food festivals and other happenings for 2011.

January

Jan. 22: FoodBlogSouth, Woodrow Hall, Avondale. A conference for food bloggers and restaurant/business owners who want to get better at blogging and social media, featuring New York Times writer Kim Severson and other great speakers. (Note: I am a co-organizer of this event.)

March

March 5: Exceptional Chili Cookoff, Homewood Park. Sample dozens of different varieties made by teams from all over the region. A benefit for the Exceptional Foundation.

April

April 9 April 26: Alabama Asian Cultures and Food Festival, Cedars Club, Glen Iris. Previous festivals have included martial arts demos, Tibetan sand paintings and even an Asian Elvis, in addition to samples of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Indian food. Updated March 23 with new date.
April 29-30: Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival, St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, Glen Iris, Southside. The annual extravaganza features baked kibbee, spinach pies and, of course, pastries.
April 30-May 1: Corks and Chefs, Linn Park, downtown. Part of Magic City Art Connection, this event features dishes from pretty much all of Birmingham’s best chefs and a massive wine tasting.

June

Magic City Brewfest, Sloss Furnaces. No dates announced yet. Free the Hops’ fifth annual fund-raiser promises an astounding array of beers from around the world for your sampling pleasure, as well as food and live music.

Video: What did you miss at Magic City Brewfest? A lot more than just beer.

August

Aug. 19-28: Birmingham Restaurant Week, various locations. Three-course prix-fixe menus at eateries all over town. New this year will be brunch menus, kid-friendly options and a renewed focus on local ingredients.
Aug. 20: Stokin’ the Fire BBQ and Music Festival, Sloss Furnaces. The largest barbecue competition in the area brings out thousands of smoked-meat fanatics.

September

Birmingham Greek Food Festival, Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral Church, Southside. No dates announced yet. This year marks the 39th edition of the classic event. Don’t miss the absurdly delicious pastries stacked high on the tables.

October

Birmingham Oktoberfest, Das Haus (formerly FDSK German Culture Club), downtown. No dates announced yet. Beer, brats and (we hope) the end of the hot weather; what more could you ask for?
Break ’n Bread, Pepper Place, Lakeview. No date announced yet. This charity fund-raiser by the Birmingham Originals is a celebration of local food.
Photo: Jason Horn

St. George Middle Eastern Food Festival, St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Glen Iris, Southside. No dates announced yet. Mediterranean-food lovers rejoice in the fall, with this event coming right on the heels of the Greek Food Festival. The stuffed grape leaves and sweet zalabieh (Arabic doughnut) are the highlights, but don’t forget the baklava, shown at right.

November

Nov. 5-6: St. Nicholas Russian/Slavic Food Festival, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Brookside. Gorge on piroshkis, borscht and other goodies at this festival located about a half-hour northwest of Birmingham. (Read more about it in our feature story.)
Nov. 6: Friedman Family LJCC Jewish Food Festival, Levite Jewish Community Center. Get your kugel, corned beef and matzo ball fix. (Read more about it in our feature story.)
Food Summit. No dates or locations announced yet. A 2-day conference and celebration of food and community. (Read more about it in our feature story.)
Sweet on a Cure. No dates announced yet. During this week, restaurants around town donate proceeds from one special dessert to the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. (Read more about it in our feature story.)

December

Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama Tamale Sale. No dates announced yet. Every December, the organization makes thousands of the corn husk-wrapped delicacies. (Read more about it in our feature story.)

Also:

• More Jason Horn at The Messy Epicure

• MCers: Did we miss anything? Tell us in the comments!

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