The Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau recently compiled a list of some of the numerous culinary events taking place in New Hanover County this fall.
“From restaurant tastings and beer walks to oyster roasts and food festivals, there are more than a dozen flavorful happenings that showcase local cuisine and regional spirits,” said Wilmington and Beaches CVB spokeswoman Connie Nelson.
This weekend, Sept. 26-27, BBQ fans might want to consider signing up for the North Carolina BBQ Society’s BBQ Boot Camp being held in Castle Hayne.
Campers will spend the weekend learning how to cook whole hogs Eastern North Carolina style, pork shoulders and Boston butts Western North Carolina style, as well as chicken, pork ribs, beef brisket, pork tenderloin, beef prime rib and whole wild fish. They will also receive instruction on how to make Eastern North Carolina vinegar-based sauce and Lexington-style BBQ dip and rubs, along with side dishes such as collards, baked beans and banana pudding.
Also taking place this weekend is the Wilmington Wine & Beer Walk presented by the Downtown Business Alliance and Bring It! Downtown. The sampling tour includes stops at BAR LoCAL, The Calico Room, The Fortunate Glass, Front Street Brewery, Hell’s Kitchen and Slice of Life.
The weekend of Oct. 11-12 brings three signature food events: the 21st annual Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues & Jazz Festival near Kure Beach, the Taste of Wrightsville Beach, and the Back Door Kitchen Tour in downtown Wilmington.
Oct. 11-18 is Wilmington Beer Week and many local restaurants, breweries and beer retailers are hosting beer dinners, beer tastings and visiting brew masters from around the country. For more information, go to Wilmington Beer Week's Facebook page or
wilmingtonncbeerweek.com.
October 17-18 brings the Airlie Oyster Roast, Mellow Mushroom Movie night in the park at Wrightsville Beach Park and the 13th annual Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival. A new addition to the Lighthouse Beer & Wine festival this year will be a Voracious Craft Beer Tasting to be held on the Battleship North Carolina's deck 6-9 p.m. Oct. 17.
During the week of Oct. 22 through 29, more than 40 area restaurants will offer special menus during Encore Magazine’s Restaurant Week.
Oct. 24-25 brings the arrival of Oktoberfest to the Government Center Complex, and The Historic Wilmington Foundation will host its fourth annual Vintage Event, "Prohibition Night" featuring Jazz from the Doug Irving Trio along with fine wines, cocktails and food at the St. Thomas Preservation Hall.
The festivities continue into with St. Stan’s Polish Festival at St. Stanislaus Church in Castle Hayne on Nov. 1 and the Festival Latino in Ogden Park on Nov. 8-9.
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