Cook-off & food at BBQ & Blues

BBQ & Blues at the NC Music Factory on Friday and Saturday is sanctioned by the Memphis Barbecue Network, which means the grand champion gets a spot to represent the Southeast at the Memphis in May Championship. That’s the competition side.

You don’t get to eat that. But you can get food, including barbecue, at the festival, for which admission is free (parking before 7 p.m. at the Music Factory is $5). The event runs 5-11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday. Slated to be on hand: Mac’s Speed Shop, Sauceman’s, Dan the Pig Man, Big Bob Gibson’s and more. Not all vendors accept debit or credit cards, but there will be ATMs on site.

“Hamilton’s Hangout” is presented by City Smoke, which will be giving ’cue samples, and for $10, you’ll be able to get five Brewfest beer samples from N.C. craft breweries.

Also planned: Zach Goodyear of Sauceman’s, Debbie Holt of Clyde Cooper’s in Raleigh and Sam Jones of Skylight Inn in Ayden will be filmed Saturday for “BBQ Pitmasters” on Destination America. The three will be competing in front of judges for an episode slated to air in November.

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. Info: www.charlottebbqandblues.com.

Eastside eatery closing

Foskoskies on Shamrock will close after serving on Saturday. “This decision was neither an easy nor a hasty one,” Walter Rushton said in an email, and noted that regulars seem to be cutting back on dining out. Good news for fans, though: He says he’ll continue to do some holiday and special-occasion catering and “may consider” a special-order baking business. The restaurant, which Rushton named after his grandfather’s Foskoskies Drive-In, Restaurant, Motel and Ice Delivery Service in Georgia, is at 2121 Shamrock Drive on Charlotte’s eastside.

Food and art uptown

The Mint Museum teams up with Halcyon and e2 for a new food-and-art experience: “Taste of the Mint” begins Tuesday. Participants start at e2 at 4 p.m. with a small plate and beverage pairing, and a talk about the food. At about 4:45, they move to Halcyon for another pairing and presentation, then move to the Mint uptown for a customized tour of new exhibition “Against the Grain: Wood in Art, Craft and Design,” which runs through Jan. 27. They can stick around to tour the rest of the museum until closing, at 9 p.m. $40 ($35 for Mint members); reservations by email to kacy.harruff@mintmuseum.org, 704-337-2018, or online at www.mintmuseum.org/happenings/events.

Coming up…

• The Melting Pots in Charlotte-Midtown and Lake Norman will have guest appreciation deals Sunday through Oct. 27: Four courses (cheese fondue, salad, entree and chocolate fondue) for $29.95. Reservations recommended. Lake Norman location is 16625 Statesville Road in Huntersville, 704-987-2201; Midtown is 901 S. Kings Drive, 704-334-4400.

• Fern will celebrate its first anniversary Tuesday, and for $20, you can come in for drinks, food and live music 6-9 p.m. by Jim Garrett of Plaza Midwood.

• Harvey’s in Cornelius hosts a signature beer dinner Tuesday, four courses paired with five beers from Raleigh’s Lonerider Brewery. $25; 19707 Liverpool Parkway; 704-892-1001.