Food Fans Unite

With its vibrant local food scene, is it any wonder that Durham plays host to unique community food events? One of the most notable events is Slow Food’s annual Traditional Southern New Year’s Day event, a communal dinner of collards, cornbread, hoppin’ john, and more. Then there is the Triangle Vegetarian Society’s Thanksgiving Feast at Café Parizäde, the country’s largest Vegan Thanksgiving event.
More recently, a group organized as “a fresh bunch of humans interested in a cooperative exploration of food, timely celebrations, and the tilting of the planet in the North Carolina Piedmont” created the Yum Yum Supper Club. Holding quarterly “Eventuals” (events+ritual) around the changing of the seasons, Yum Yum Supper Club menus are dictated by the seasonal growing cycles. These types of events, like so many other grassroot events in Durham, bring together people with common interests, a true testament to the inclusive, original, and community-spirited nature of this great place.
If dining in Durham with other food fans offers great appeal, consider these upcoming opportunities. Some are communal dinners, others are cooking classes, guided tours, and food festivals, but all promise to please the palette while introducing new friends.
Bull City Food Vendor Roundup
June 27 – Farmer’s Market Pavillion – Featuring Only Burger, Indian Food on Wheels, Bulkogi, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Mom's Delicious Dishes, Kona Chameleon, and Locopops, Liberacion Juice Station, and Joe's Diner hot dog cart. Chop Shop Cooking Class at Revolution Restaurant
July 18 – Work hands-on with Chef Anile and his culinary team in this class of 6 students to create a special menu, after which everyone enjoys the meal.
Durham Farmers’ Market
June 26 – 2nd Annual Chef Challenge with Dave Alworth from Guglhupf, Billy Cotter from Toast and Justin Rakes from Four Square. Shop. Cook. Taste.
July 3 – Chef in the Market – Chuck Hayworth – Worth It Cafe
July 31– Chef in the Market – Jim Anile from Revolution
August 7 – Chef in the Market - Shane Ingram from Four Square
Elodie Farms – Dinners on the Front Porch
Monthly dinners featuring some of the best chefs in the region. Remaining 2010 Dates: July 24, August 7, September 18, October 16, November 6 and December 4.
Fullsteam Brewery – Beer 201: Discovering Off-Flavors
July 23 – Advanced study in beer appreciation in this “Opening Soon” Brewery.
Nana’s Wine Dinners (with Hope Valley Bottle Shop)
June 22 – Trefethen Vineyards ($55 per person)
July 20 – Rosseler Cellars ($60 per person)
New Orleans Wine Dinner at Blu Seafood and Bar
July 14 – Wine Pairings by Hope Valley Bottle Shop ($ ___)
Six Plates Wine Bar - TxakoliFest
July 24 – TxakoliFest is to Six Plates what Octoberfest is to Germany. Wine Festival celebrating this slightly sparkling very dry white wine with high acidity and low alcohol content produced in the Basque Country.
Taste Carolina Downtown Durham Food Tours
Saturdays, 2 – 5 p.m. ($39)
Williams Sonoma at The Streets at Southpoint
June 22 – Cooking class with Chef Charlie Deal of Dos Perros teaching how to make mole. ($35)