The Charlotte StrEATs food festival returns to uptown this week: What to know
One of the most popular food events in Charlotte is returning to uptown. The annual Charlotte StrEATs festival is being held this week as part of Charlotte SHOUT!, featuring new and old events centered on some of the biggest local chefs in the city’s booming culinary scene.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing StrEATs back as part of SHOUT! for the third year,” says Kristen Wile of Unpretentious Palate, who is helping produce the event. “With each year for the festival, we aim to bring attention to even more talented chefs, mixologists, farmers, and food artisans. This year, we’re excited to include North Carolina wine and regional fare.”
Ahead of the big festival, there are several other Charlotte StrEATs events you can check out around uptown, too. From a tasting tour to a chef cookoff, here’s the full schedule of events where you can feast on your favorite foods from local restaurants:
StrEAT Smarts: The Science of Pasta Making
Date: April 9
Location: The Market at 7th Street, 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: $45
Learn about the art of pasta making from Chef Raffaele of Mano Bella Artisan Foods at The Market at 7th Street. Attendees will get to taste four different types of pasta and specific sauces suited for each pasta type, with optional wine too.
StrEAT Smarts: Wine + Cheese, Made to Pair in North Carolina
Date: April 10
Location: The Market at 7th Street, 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Cost: $75
Wine and dine while learning about the best wine and cheese pairings at the StrEAT Smarts event led by Josh Villapando of Assorted Table Wine and Shop and Rachel Klebaur of Orrman’s Cheese Shop. Guests will get to sample 5 wines expertly paired with 5 kinds of cheese and hear about wine and cheesemakers from across the state.
StrEATs Tasting Tour
Date: April 13
Location: Gateway Village, 900 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: $105+
Get a taste of every Charlotte neighborhood right from the city center at the StrEATs Tasting Tour, for those 21 and older. Enjoy small bites and craft cocktails from local restaurants serving dishes that represent their neighborhood, along with cooking demonstrations and live music.
Charlotte StrEATs Festival
Date: April 14
Location: Gateway Village, 900 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 12-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Take in Charlotte’s culinary scene with food trucks, cocktail tastings and cooking demonstrations at the Charlotte StrEATs Festival. The free event will also be a market with local food vendors, a Neighborhood Cook-off and a special appearance from celebrity chef Aarón Sánchez.
Charlotte SHOUT!, one of the biggest festivals in Charlotte, is a 17-day art, music and food event with a lineup of performances, installations and more. Organizers say official dates will be announced soon, along with a full festival schedule.
You can find more information and buy tickets for any of the Charlotte StrEATs festival events online at cltstreatsfestival.com.
This story was originally published January 12, 2024 at 5:30 AM.
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