Culinary events and food festivals for March 2009, listed in chronological order.
1. Charleston Food & Wine Festival - March 5, 6, 7,8
Learn about and get a taste of Southern cuisine and the Lowcountry’s unique food styles, heritage and recipes at various events and venues throughout the weekend. Some of the personalities involved with the Charleston Festival include: Bobby Flay (Mesa Grill - New York), Hugh Acheson (Five and Ten - Athens GA), Nancy Oakes (Boulevard - San Francisco), Rick Tramonto (Tru - Chicago), Wylie Dufresne (WD-50 - New York), Scott Peacock (Watershed Restaurant - Decatur GA), Richard Blais (Trail Blais - Atlanta), Fortunato Nicotra (Felidia - New York), and Barbara Lynch (No.9 Park - Boston).
2. Savor Dallas - March 6,7
This annual event in downtown Dallas includes wine tastings and seminars, food, art and an international film festival.
3. Phoenix West of Western Culinary Festival - March 14, 15
West of Western is the premier culinary event in the Southwest. Held at the Phoenix Art Museum, this two day event showcases the best culinary talent from top independent and chef-driven resort restaurants in the area. West of Western is also an education experience with wine tastings, classes and seminars focusing on the foods and traditions of the Southwest, and the local farms that keep culinary traditions going. The highlight of West of Western is the Chefs’ Invitational Grand Tasting.
4. 2009 United States Championship Cheese Contest - March 17,18,19
This biennial event in Green Bay, Wisconsin is the largest cheese contest in the United States. This year's Cheese Contest has over 1,300 different cheeses and butters in 65 different categories. The entries will be judged by 24 experts from 10 states. The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is held at the Atrium in Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin. The public is welcome, it's free and there will be samples to taste!
5. California's Artisan Cheese Festival - March 20,21,22,23
The California Artisan Cheese Festival features artisan cheese experts, authors and chefs, including Laura Werlin, Janet Fletcher, Clark Wolf and Joey Altman. Along with local artisan food producers, vintners and craft brewers, these experts will conduct seminars, pairings, tastings and demonstrations throughout the weekend program. Saturday night is the popular Artisan Gala Dinner, a 4‐course meal paired with artisan wines, led by wine country chef John Ash. Some of the participating cheesemakers include: Cowgirl Creamery, Cypress Grove, Redwood Hill Farm, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, Bellwether Farms, and many, many more. All events take place at the Sheraton Sonoma County - Petaluma, California.6. San Francisco International Chocolate Salon - March 21
If you love chocolate don't miss the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon, the premier chocolate event on the West Coast. This event celebrates the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate with Chocolate Tastings, Chocolate Demos, Chef and Author Talks, Chocolate Fashion & Body Painting, Wine Pairings and the Sweet Beauty Chocolate Spa. The Chocolate Salon takes place in the 30,000 square feet Fort Mason Center Herbst Pavilion.
