DBAP Food Truck Fest Headlines five Game Homestand

What's that delicious smell wafting through the air?  It's the smell of victory in Durham, along with quite a few beloved food trucks.

The first place Durham Bulls return home on Wednesday, July 10 to begin a five game homestand featuring visits from the Charlotte Knights and Gwinnett Braves.  The DBAP Food Truck Fest, two fireworks shows, and an appearance from Brobee of Yo Gabba Gabba! highlight the promotional event schedule.

The homestand gets underway on Wednesday, July 10 when the Bulls host the Charlotte Knights in the first contest of a short two-game series, presented by Rex Goliath.  Gates open at 6:00pm for the 7:05pm game that features the inaugural DBAP Food Truck Fest, as eight renowned local Food Trucks will have their famous culinary treats available for purchase on the Diamond View concourse within Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Participants at the DBAP Food Truck Fest include Only Burger, Chirba Chirba, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Sweet Stacey Cakes, BaguettAboutIt, Porchetta, The Humble Pig, and American Melt Down. 

Thursday’s 7:05pm game against the Chicago White Sox’ top affiliate, presented by Chick-fil-A, features $1 concession items including $1 Bright Leaf hot dogs, popcorn and fries. Thursday is also College Night, where students can get a Terrace Reserved ticket and $5 in Bulls Bucks for just $10 or an Outfield Reserved ticket for only $4.99 by entering the promo code COLLEGE (and using a valid .edu email address) when purchasing tickets online at durhambulls.com.

On Friday, July 12, the Bulls welcome the Gwinnett Braves to downtown Durham for a three-game set. Prior to the 7:05pm game, fans are encouraged to bring canned and packaged food along with personal hygiene items to donate in the “Stuff the Truck” event presented by Two Men and a Truck and Five Guys restaurants. Items can be dropped off at the Two Men and a Truck moving truck outside the main gates from 5:30pm through the end of the first inning.  All donated goods will go to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.  Following Friday’s game, fans will be treated to a spectacular Friday Night Fireworks show. Great Outdoor Provision Co. also presents the second Camp Out Night of the season, where scout groups will spend the night in the DBAP outfield.

The series against the Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate continues on Saturday, July 13 at 7:05pm. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC presents the game and a special Saturday night postgame fireworks show. 

On Saturday and Sunday, the Goddard School presents an appearance by Brobee of the immensely popular Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba! Brobee will take photos with young fans in the front entry plaza during both games.

Sunday’s 5:05pm homestand finale will also feature Bike to the Ballpark, presented by GoTriangle. Fans that ride their bicycle to the DBAP and park it in the secure bike valet will receive a voucher for a $10 ticket which includes $5 in food credit. The first 500 people to park their bikes will also receive a goodie bag from partners including GoTriangle, the City of Durham, REI and Dick's Sporting Goods. As always, Kids Run the Bases after Sunday’s game, thanks to Pepsi.

The first place Durham Bulls return home to the DBAP on Wednesday, July 10 to begin a five game homestand featuring visits from the Charlotte Knights and Gwinnett Braves. Tickets for all home games are available at durhambulls.com, by phone at 919.956.BULL, or at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office.

Find more great events in Durham at www.durhameventcalendar.com.

The New York Times Spent 36 Hours in Durham

The New York Times regularly runs a piece in their travel section where they write about what a traveler can do with, well, 36 hours in a place.  On Sunday, January 20th, the world will see what they think can happen in Durham in 36 hours.  Heads up, it's a lot!

Like Durham, the article focuses a great deal on great food, music, the arts, and the open and welcoming culture of intellect.  In other words, the article captures Durham right down to the last nuance and lets it shine as the funky, authentic place that it is.

The story is on the paper's website, and will hit the stands on Sunday. There is an accompanying slideshow, as well.

Coverage like this is always appreciated.  Durham is also up for a major accolade from Southern Living Magazine.  Read more about that online and be sure to vote daily for Durham!

The Cookery to Host A Culinary Spectacle for all Ages

Regardless of whether you are a fan of food in general, certain chefs, or the food truck movement that is directing a lot of attention toward Durham, there is something going on there to satisfy every taste.  In a few weeks, yet another bright spot will emerge on the landscape in the place where great things happen.

Triangle residents can eat sausages made by WUNC’s The State of Things host, Frank Stasio, sample vegan sausages prepared by Rue Cler’s award winning chef, Aaron Benjamin, or consume any variety of fare from The Cookery’s popular food truck members, all in the name of charity on Saturday, September 15th from noon to 3:00 pm. The celebration of culinary talent will take place in the Front Room, a new event space in The Cookery on West Chapel Hill Street, benefiting the Durham Crisis Response Center’s emergency shelter which provides a safe environment for women and children fleeing violent and dangerous situations.

“We are thrilled that the culinary community of the Triangle area has rallied to show their support for this fundraiser,” said Rochelle Johnson, who co-owns The Cookery with her husband, Nick Hawthorne-Johnson. “The funds raised through our food sales during the event will go directly toward the kitchen remodel at the shelter, which will improve the lives of countless families on a daily basis.”

Food truck favorites at the benefit will include Chirba Chirba Dumpling, Monuts Donuts, The Parlour, Pie Pushers, Sympathy for the Deli, and Triangle Raw Foods.  Each of them are members of The Cookery, where they take advantage of the innovative concept of sharing a state-of-the-art kitchen for chefs to prepare and share their creations with the public. In addition, many celebrated chefs in the foodie-centric Triangle have committed to participating in the event, as well as special musical guest Justin Robinson and the Mary Annettes. To add to the afternoon, a free wine tasting will be hosted by The Clever Vine, and beer tastings will be led by local brewers Bull City Burger and Brewery, Fullsteam, Lonerider Brewing Company, and Triangle Brewing Company.

“We are so excited to expand upon this building’s food-focused history,” said Johnson.  What once was the Durham Food Co-op building has transformed into an elegant event space featuring exposed brick walls, distinctive metalwork salvaged from historic Durham landmarks, and a ceiling stretching 20 feet high. 

The fundraiser will serve as the unveiling of The Cookery’s Front Room, which will serve as a space for The Cookery to host a series of pop-up restaurants, specialty food events, Culinary Workshops, and wine and beer dinners, as well as private dinners and receptions.  The space accommodates up to 200 people, and includes a mezzanine and outdoor patio, a full bar with local NC beers on tap and audio/visual equipment.  In addition, the Front Room’s access to The Cookery’s kitchen facility will equip chefs and caterers with a commercial kitchen and bakery facility to expand upon their culinary repertoire to design unprecedented events.

Learn more about all of Durham's great food options online.

Durham Food Trucks Are 'Serious Eats'

As both the foodiest spot in the Triangle and the birthplace of the area's mainstream mobile food scene, Durham continues to garner national attention. This time Durham's local food trucks are at the center of this attention.

In the national food blog, Serious Eats, six of the eight trucks highlighted in the story "North Carolina: Our 8 Favorite Food Trucks" are from Durham. Only Burger, the first of the Triangle's food trucks, is featured. The Parlour, Chirba Chirba, Pie Pushers, KoKyu and Sympathy for the Deli are also among Serious Eats' favorites. Durham culinary incubator The Cookery also gets credited as integral to the Triangle food truck explosion.

As Durham's culinary culture continues its rise to prominence, folks like Serious Eats give props where props are due.