Charlotte’s premier tasting experience returned Saturday, April 11, marking 5 delicious years.

Attendees savored signature bites from Charlotte’s best locally-owned restaurants, sipped on craft cocktails created by our top mixologists, and enjoyed chef cooking demos, all while taking in the gorgeous skyline views of First Ward Park.

SCHEDULE
11:20 a.m. – Welcome from festival co-hosts Kristen Wile and Casey Wilson
11:30 a.m. – Sutler’s Spirits Cocktail Demo with Sean Teague of Symposia
12:00 p.m. – Cooking Demo with Sam Diminich, Restaurant Constance
12:35 p.m. – Slate Belt Spirits Cocktail Demo with Justin Hazelton of Lorem Ipsum
1:00 p.m. – Cooking Demo, Kristina and AJ Sankofa of ESO Artisanal Pasta
1:35 p.m. – Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Cocktail Demo with Brian Lorusso of Ginny’s Whiskey Bar
2:00 p.m. – Cooking Demo with Ashley Boyd, 300 East
2:30 p.m. – Espolón Tequila Cocktail Demo with Jenna Reynolds (Duckie) of Hermanita
2:45 p.m. – StrEATs Best Bite Awards

300 East 

Chef Lex Druhan

300 East is an independent restaurant located in a historic home in Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood. In business for almost 4 decades, 300 East is committed to balancing tradition with innovation, serving the best ingredients our region has to offer, and creating a welcoming experience for all.

DŌZO Japanese-American Kitchen

Chef Perry Saito

A neighborhood Japanese-American izakaya, featuring fresh fish and a variety of small plates with an exciting sake list designed to be shared and enjoyed communally among friends.

Emmy Lou’s

Chef Andres Kaifer & Chef Dre Cavazos

A wine bar serving shareable plates that highlight local ingredients and inspiration from Chef’s career and upbringing.

Leluia Hall

Chef Savannah Foltz

As a “steak & surf” concept, the menu at Leluia Hall is centered around prime cuts of steak, entree seafoods, mini tacos with housemade tortillas, fresh takes on steakhouse sides, a full raw bar, and thoughtful desserts. Flavors are fresh, bright, and tropical with ingredients mostly inspired by the coastal Americas. 

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant 

Chef Tina Tedla

An authentic Ethiopian sit-down restaurant offering traditional dishes made from family recipes in a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with meals made fresh and meant to be shared for an authentic dining experience.

Manolo’s Bakery 

Chef Manolo Betancur 

Manolo’s Bakery is a purpose-driven brand and a small business with a big heart, dedicated to social action that benefits local communities and upholds global human ideals. For 29 years, Manolo’s has cared for and perfected Latin bread traditions and elevated the beloved Tres Leches Cake.

Napa on Providence

Chef Diego “Karma” Murillo

Napa on Providence is your neighborhood restaurant with a serious wine obsession—serving crave-worthy, seasonal dishes, a thoughtfully curated wine list, and cocktails worth lingering over. It’s refined yet approachable dining—perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to celebratory nights out.

Rada

Chef Callan Buckles

A New York Times-recognized neighborhood restaurant focused on intention and seasonality.

Marlee Jean’s Raw Bar & Kitchen

Chefs Erick and Amanda Crawford

At Marlee Jean’s Raw Bar & Kitchen, chefs work hand in hand with local fishermen and farmers to bring guests the freshest seafood and homegrown ingredients the community has to offer. 

Seaboy

Chef Jonathan Cox

Seaboy is a small, intimate seafood restaurant in Cornelius focused on fresh, local, sustainably sourced ingredients. The menu is chef-driven and seasonal, served in a cozy, coastal space that feels warm and inviting.

Aria Tuscan Grill

Chef Alex Piatt

Aria Tuscan Grill brings the best of Italy to Charlotte, capturing the flavors of Tuscany where old world comfort food is re-imagined in a modern Italian setting. 

Mad Dash

Chef Corey Jones

Mad Dash is a local fast casual restaurant serving made to order street fare sandwiches, wings, and fresh cut fries.

Spaghett

Chef Kendall Moore

Showcasing the best of the Carolinas products and produce through an Italian lens.

Calle Sol Latin Café & Cevicheria

Chef Shai Fargian

Calle Sol celebrates the neighborhood cuisines of Miami and Tampa, bringing together the best flavors of the Latin diaspora in a fun, colorful environment.

The Improper Pig

Chef Darius Amidi

American barbeque with an Asian twist? The Improper Pig isn’t your average smokehouse. Tender meats, savory spices, scratch-made sauces, and show-stealing veggies? It’s positively improper.

Mezzo Market

Chef Djordje Avramovic 

Mezzo Market is a neighborhood eatery and market serving lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch with full bar service that also offers wine, beer and chef-inspired readymade food for take home meals.

Foxcroft Food & Wine

Chef Stephanie Klos

Foxcroft Food & Wine is a neighborhood restaurant and wine bar built on simple pleasures: good food, great wine, and genuine hospitality. The menus feature house-made pastas, flatbreads, steaks, and seafood, all thoughtfully prepared to complement the wines they pour.

Catalú

Chef Juan Romero

A contemporary twist to traditional Spanish recipes. 

SOUTH END
Mixologist: Brian Lorusso of Ginny’s Whiskey Bar

PLAZA MIDWOOD
Mixologist: Jenna “Duckie” Reynolds of Hermanita

MYERS PARK
Mixologist: Sean Teague of Rada

PLAZA MIDWOOD
Mixologist: Justin Hazelton of Lorem Ipsum

NEED TO KNOW:

• Event is 21+ only. All IDs will be checked. No ID, no entry.
• Event is rain or shine.
• Tickets are nonrefundable.
• NO pets allowed at this event. No animals are permitted on the event properties with the exception of a service, guide, or signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.
• Items not allowed: Backpacks, coolers, camping chairs, smoking, weapons of any kind (firearms, knives, blunt objects, chemical weapons), outside food or alcohol.