Food Editor Erin Thursby reports on where to eat, drink and be merry in the greater Jacksonville area. Thursby also serves as the Executive Director of GastroJax, Inc., a non-profit organization that serves to foster and preserve local cuisine, educating the public about local food and beverage sources, local restaurants and North Florida dishes.
Foodie News
Foodie Events
Saturdays Veterans United Craft Brewery Tour Want to take a spin around a production brewery and sample a few tasty craft beers? Guided Brewery Tours include a souvenir logo tasting glass and sample pours. Every Saturday: 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm. No reservation needed – please just sign up at the taproom. Inquiries for larger groups or private tours may be emailed to [email protected] for more information. $5. Veterans United Craft Brewery Tour, 8999 Western Way #104, vubrew.com
May 6, 20 Truffle Class Book something special for mom that you can do together! Sweet Pete’s truffle class is a two-hour class that teaches basic chocolate techniques. Students learn tempering, shell molding and how to make a ganache filling. Each student leaves with approximately a half pound of truffles. Ages 14 and up. Groups of ten or more please contact [email protected] for a private class. Don’t forget to check out the Candy Apple Cafe & Cocktails! Reservations required. $15, 5:30pm, 400 N. Hogan St., 376-7161, sweetpetescandy.com
May 10 Blue Fish Restaurant and Oyster Bar Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet Mom can get exactly what she wants at the omelet station, or she can load up on shrimp mac ‘n’ cheese, honey ham and more. Reservations recommended. $29. 10:30am-2pm, 387-0700, 3551 St. Johns Ave, bluefishjax.com
May 13 Monique Burr Foundation For Children “A Night at Roys” Live entertainment, Hawaiian-influenced gourmet eats, wine, and more to support MBF Child Safety Matters, a child abuse prevention program. $100, 6-9pm, 2400 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, 642-0210, moniqueburrfoundation.org
May 15 Sweet Pete’s & The Candy Apple Cafe Candy & Cocktail Night! Includes: 4 Hors D’oeuvres from the Cocktail Hors D’oeuvres Menu, 2 Drinks per Guest – House Beer/House Wine + Candy Du Jour (Candy Maker’s Choice) Third Friday of each month. Private Candy and Cocktail Packages available with a minimum of 25 Guests. Repeats every month on April, May, June, July, August, September, October on the third Friday, until Fri Oct 16, 2015. $35, 6-8pm, 400 N. Hogan St, 376-7161, sweetpetescandy.com
May 15 Jacksonville Craft & Import Beer Festival Love beer? Then be here at the 7th Annual Craft & Import Beer Festival inside the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Featuring 40 Breweries, over 350 beers, food samples from 20 local restaurants, two bands, and two DJs. $45 general admission, $60 for VIP, 5-9pm, 300 A Philip Randolph Blvd, beerfestjax.com
May 16 Jacksonville Herb Society Want to learn more about growing and using herbs in cooking? Then attend this lecture followed by a homemade lunch using herbs. Members available after the meeting to answer questions on growing, harvesting and culinary uses of herbs. Includes a drawing for prizes. Free to visitors; members $25 a year. Information, email [email protected] Repeats every month on the third Saturday, 10:30am. Glynlea Grace United Methodist Church, 6429 Atlantic Blvd
May 16 New Trucks On The Block Jax Truckies presents the newest food trucks to hit the streets of Jacksonville. Enjoy the food, craft beer and more from the new guys. Featured trucks: The Butt Hutt, Smokehouse, WaugaWauga Food Truck, Pita Boss, von Zipper’s Mexican Grill, Say Cheese, Professor Panini, Latin Soul Grille Food Truck, Seaweeds Maine Lobster Rolls Inc., Synsha Suite Fashions, GuanaBana Ice Pops and Julie’s Sweet Stuff. Jacksonville Landing, 4-9pm, facebook.com/jaxtruckies
May 19 Native Sun Night on the Town at Moxie The Native Sun Natural Foods Market’s Night on the Town series series will continue with a visit to Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails. Native Sun’s dining series aims to introduce attendees to restaurants, bars, breweries, coffee shops, and other venues that share the local natural food store’s passion for healthy living. Chef Tom Gray will prepare a seasonal, family-style dinner focused on locally sourced ingredients and served at communal tables. $50 per person includes tax and service. Go to customer service to reserve at either Native Sun locale or call 260-2791. Takes place at Moxie Kitchen 4972 Big Island Drive, See weblink for full menu: nativesunjax.com/events/#moxie
May 28 PAWparazzi Gala Includes a silent auction, sit-down dinner, a reception with bubbly, live fashion show and adorable rescued animals. This bash benefits our fluffy friends via First Coast No More Homeless Pets! $85, 6-10pm, Alhambra Dinner Theatre, 12000 Beach Blvd, www.fcnmhp.org
May 30 Family Farm Day A down-home celebration of Florida farming featuring living historians in period clothing demonstrating cast iron cooking, blacksmithing, basketry, and other rural crafts. At 2 pm, Eric Dusenbery will discuss his new book, Florida Soup: Putting History On The Table, a collection of stories and images about the people, places, and foods of rural Florida. There will be plenty of hands-on activities for folks of all ages, music, storytelling, and much more. Sensible shoes are recommended. Starts at 10am. $5 per person, museum members and children 5 or under free. 386-446-7630, Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast FL, floridaagmuseum.org