The 4th Annual Magic City Mac & Cheese Fest

 

Save the date! November 14,2021, the 4th annual Magic City Mac & Cheese Festival will take place in Birmingham benefitting Community Grief Support.

This annual festival which is dedicated to one of America's favorite comfort foods, attracts people from all over the southeast. Tickets are now on sale.

https://eventbrite.com/o/community-grief-support-13832194294… $15 Early Bird Ticket Sales $20 Day of Ticket $5 Children ages 6-12 Children 5 and under free! Paid admission will get you into the festival to try UNLIMITED mac & cheese samples from popular local restaurants & businesses around town. The event takes place from 1-4pm at Back Forty Beer Company.

Grab your crew! Registration for cook teams is now in progress Email the organizer at macfestbhm@gmail.com OR visit http://macfestbhm.com/become-a-vendor for details & registration.

Please join The Birmingham Restaurant Raider as one of the 2021 event sponsors.

Select your sponsorship package by visiting:

Sponsor the Magic City Mac + Cheese Festival (macfestbhm.com.

  

If you or someone you know needs grief counseling, please visit  https://www.communitygriefsupport.org/

     

Thanks for reading & sharing!

~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

Est.2009

*Community Grief Support is a non-profit corporation organized for the purpose

of providing free compassionate grief counseling to the Birmingham area. 

The Magic City Mac & Cheese Fest Returns!

The 2nd Annual Magic City Mac & Cheese Festival benefiting the Community Grief Support organization is just around the corner & The Birmingham Restaurant Raider has signed on as a sponsor for this years event! 

After an overwhelming response in 2017, the festival will now be held at Brookwood Village on Sunday September 9, 2018. 

This annual festival dedicated to one of America's favorite comfort foods attracted a few thousand people last year. With a spike in ticket sales, it appears that number will more than double this year. I encourage you to get an ADVANCE ticket for $15.00. Tickets at the gate will be $20.00. Kids 12 & under are admitted for only $5.00 and kids under 5 are FREE! Paid admission will get you into the festival to try UNLIMITED mac & cheese samples from great local restaurants & businesses around town.

A partial list of vendors includes several of my favorite spots: 

The Southern Kitchen and Bar
Newk's Eatery
The Cheesecake Empori-Yum!
Swamp Monster BBQ
John's City Diner
The J. Clyde
California Pizza Kitchen
Sol's Sandwich Shop and Deli
Irondale Café
Sky Castle Birmingham
Nothing But Noodles
Sherry's Café, Cakes, & Catering
Mason Dixon Bakery and Bistro
Ivory LeShore's Gourmet Bread Pudding & Cheesecake
Fetch: A Treat Truck For Dogs
Simply Infused Olive Oil Shop
Vintage Comfort Food Co.
Joel's Southern Cooking
Katie's Plates
Carlile's Barbecue
Panoptic Catering
Brick & Tin
Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods

And MORE to be announced.

Click here for tickets: https://www.macfestbhm.com/tickets

"Community Grief Support is a safe place where people grieving the death of a loved one can find hope and healing and meet with others who have had this experience and understand. Together they learn how to regain control of their lives in an environment of care, comfort and healing." They offer counseling for individuals, couples & families.

Be sure to stop by the donation table. 😃

Can't make it to the festival? 

Donate what you can to CGS at http://www.communitygriefsupport.org/donate.php

For more information about the festival, please visit macfestbhm.com/

Thanks for reading & sharing! 

~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You"

Est. 2009

Voted as one of the Top 40 Alabama Blogs, News Websites & Newsletters To Follow in 2018 Via @FeedSpot

Zoo, Brews & Full Moon BBQ 6/16/18

Join me this Saturday at the Birmingham Zoo  for a fun filled day along with presenting sponsor Full Moon Barbecue from 5:30-8:30pm for the fourth annual Zoo, Brews and Full Moon Bar-B-Que event. 

There will be live entertainment by the fabulous Union Road Band.

Enjoy drinks from over 20 breweries from all over Alabama and the southeast. In addition to beer, there will be plenty of other libations, including wines and non-alcoholic beverages. Attendees will enjoy tasty dinner provided by Full Moon Bar-B-Que.  There will be chances to get up close & personal with a few animals, walkabouts, train & carousel rides, special kids activities and much more! A few VIP tickets are still available. 
Enjoy added features such as caricature drawings,  splash pads, sand art crafts, face painting, lawn games and more!

Get your tickets today!

General Admission:
Under 3: FREE
Under 21: $20
Designated Driver: $20
Over 21: $35
Children’s tickets include admission, dinner and attractions. Adult tickets include admission, a hearty bbq dinner, attractions, and select servings.

VIP Pricing:
Under 3: FREE
Under 21: $50
Designated Driver: $50
Over 21: $75

VIP Adult tickets include select servings, admission, dinner, attractions, early admission at 5pm, VIP parking spots. VIP Children’s tickets include admission, dinner, attractions, early admission at 5pm, VIP parking along with a gift. 

This is a rain or shine event. No refunds will be issued.

 Bring the family & see you there!

Thanks for reading & sharing,

The Birmingham Restaurant Raider
Est.2009

"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You"
 

EVENT: The 2018 Magic City Wine Fest

The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

It's that time again! 
The 2018 Magic City Wine Fest is approaching and wine lovers from near & far will convene at The Birmingham Zoo on May 12, 2018. 

Presenting sponsors Jaguar of Birmingham & Land Rover Of Birmingham welcome you to this 2nd annual event benefiting The Birmingham Zoo which will feature wines from across the world. Wines will be provided by International Wines & Craft Beer.

There will be food available for purchase from a variety of Birmingham area restaurants. 
According State law and ABC regulations there will not be “unlimited free samples.” Therefore, the ticket price is your admission to Magic City Wine Fest. Once inside the festival, you will be charged $0.01 for each one ounce serving.  This "Penny a Pour" donation will be collected at each wine table where guests can drop a penny in for each drink.

Entertainment will be provided by jazz legend, Vann Burchfield, a musical Guinness World Record holder. 

This is a rain or shine event. No one under 21 will be allowed. 
The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Ticket categories available will be  as follows:

• GENERAL ADMISSION $49.00
• VIP $69.00
• DESIGNATED DRIVER $20.00

*Fees & taxes will be additional. This event WILL sell out.

 DRINK RESPONSIBLY🍇🍷

 Purchase tickets: http://www.magiccitywinefest.com/Tickets

The Birmingham Zoo
2630 Cahaba Road
Birmingham, AL 35223

The Exceptional Foundation's Chili Cook-Off

How do you like your chili? Meaty? Spicy? Mild? 

No matter how you like it, you're guaranteed to find just the right flavor at the 

Exceptional Foundation's Annual Chili Cook-Off! 

The 2018 competition is sure to grow in attendance & it's all for a great cause! 

The Exceptional Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 1993 to serve mentally and physically challenged individuals in the Greater Birmingham, Alabama area by targeting social and recreational objectives not met by educational institutions or the community at large.


They provide year-round services to individuals with special needs who have reached the age of 21 and no longer receive services from school systems.  Programs are also offered to the school-age exceptional population through after-school activities and a summer camp.  Daily programs include field trip outings, competitive sports teams and various social events. 

I suggest getting an early bird ticket to avoid the line. 
Just go to  https://exceptionalfoundation.instagift.com/ 

See you there! 

Thanks for reading & sharing, 
The Birmingham Restaurant Raider
@RestaurantRaidr
#RaidBham 

CHILI COOK-OFF

March 3, 2018 10:30 to 3:00

Brookwood Village

*Click to enlarge Flyer*

 

Taste Of The Magic City 2017

M-POWER Ministries is proud to announce the seventh annual Taste of the Magic City presented by Brookwood Baptist Health and ProAssurance, to be held Thursday, Oct. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. at MAKEbhm, located at 4000 3^rd Ave. S. The culinary event invites Birmingham residents to taste some of the best fare the Magic City food scene has to offer while giving back to the community. Taste of the Magic City will support the efforts of M-POWER Ministries, a nonprofit located in Avondale helping people find paths out of poverty by providing education and health services to Jefferson County residents.

Taste of the Magic City 2017 presented by Brookwood Baptist Health and ProAssurance

 Thursday, Oct. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m.

 MAKEbhm – 4000 3^rd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35222

 $35
Purchase tickets at https://tasteofthemagiccity.instagift.com/.

Taste of the Magic City will feature unlimited bites from culinary experts and restaurants from the Birmingham area such as B&A Warehouse, Bare Naked Noodles, Big Spoon Creamery, Black Sheep Kitchen, Cantina Tortilla Grill, Chicken Salad Chick, East 59 Café, Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes, Jim 'N Nick's, JoJo’s on Broadway, Little Savannah, Miami Fusion Café, Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Olivia’s Transit Café, Roots & Revelry, Saigon Noodle House, Serendipity Café, Taco Morro Loco, Taj India, The Abbey, The Bright Star, Tre Luna Catering, Tropicaleo, Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato, Waffle Works and Yo Mama’s. Attendees will enjoy live music from Jason Bailey and Joe Breckenridge, beverage tastings and an auction. The event’s venue, MAKEbhm, is a community space filled with local artisans. 

M-POWER Ministries is a faith-based non-profit formed in 1997 through a coalition of volunteers, donors, and churches to provide services to individuals and families in need. Over time, the organization has turned its focus to addressing poverty through education and health services.

For more information about the organization visit their website at

http://www.mpowerministries.org/

Thanks for reading & Sharing! 
~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider 
#RaidBham 

A Taste Of Louisiana 2017

Hey Birmingham! I am SEAUX excited about this event!!

Get ready for the 2017 Taste of Louisiana Food Festival & Cook Off.
Come out & join the fun as restaurants & cook teams from all over join together to cook up many of your favorites.
If you like gumbo, ettoufee & red beans n' rice along with other Loo-si-anna style favorites, this is the event for you. This year's Presenting Sponsor is Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill.  The proceeds will go to benefit the Sid Strong Foundation for pediatric cancer research & also to fund scholarships for several deserving local students.

Attendees will have the opportunity to taste unlimited samples of several authentic Louisiana recipes prepared by professional and amateur "Cookin' Crews".

There will be Zydeco dancing, a children's area and lots of other activities to enjoy.

Avoid the lines & buy your tickets to this event today! Visit http://www.lsubirmingham.org/

 Save the date: Saturday 10/28/17

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

100 Ben Chapman Drive
Hoover, AL 35244  

Admission

Tickets: $15.00

Free for kids 12 and under

Tag your photos using the hash tag #ATOL17

                                            PRESENTING SPONSOR                                            

To learn about sponsoring this event,  please visit http://www.lsubirmingham.org/
Can't make it to the event? Donate to the Sid Strong Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research
http://sidstrongfound.org/

Thanks for reading & sharing,
~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider
"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You" 

 *Disclaimer* Although I'm promoting this event, this does not mean that The Birmingham Restaurant Raider is in any way shape or form happy about LSU beating Auburn this past weekend, I'm still bummed about that 😢

3rd Annual "Graze Birmingham" Farm-To-Fork Dinner

For the 3rd year in a row, Avondale Brewing Co. will host (ASAN) Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network's GRAZE: Birmingham event on Sunday, September 17th from 5pm to 8pm in their backyard. 
 
The freshest and finest Alabama eats will be served, picnic style, created by 17 "pairs" of local farmers and Birmingham chefs!!  Y'all come and enjoy these unique tastings, live music, specialty drinks and more!!
 There will be a WIDE variety of local farmer's, restaurants and other businesses on hand with flavorful dishes for your grazing pleasure.

TICKETS:    Visit http://asanonline.org/graze/ for more information and to purchase tickets.** Buy your ticket by Thursday, September 7th and get an extra drink ticket (2 drinksinstead of 1)!

Sponsorship packages are available. Call (256) 743-0742. 

Event proceeds will support rural farmers who use healthy farming methods. 

According to their website, "ASAN has provided farmer-led training, resources, and a community of support for a growing number of sustainable farmers throughout Alabama. Our members are farmers, educators, business owners, and advocates who share a commitment to a food system that is dynamic, nurturing, just, and sovereign at all levels."

Can't make it to this graze-a-thon? Consider contributing to the ASAN or become a member. Membership includes:

• ASAN bumper sticker
• Access to member-only dinners
• Discounted registration rates for the ASAN Food & Farm Forum(s) and other paid ASAN events throughout the year

Basic membership is available starting at: $25 for individual membership, $50 for farm/household membership, and $200 for business/organization membership.

It's for a good cause!

Thanks for reading & sharing! 
~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider
Media Partner for GRAZE Birmingham 2017

"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You" 
#RaidBham
 Don't drive. Get a LYFT https://www.lyft.com/invite/RAIDBHAM2017
 
Save The Date
Avondale Brewing Company 
201 41st St S
Birmingham, AL 35222  
9/17/17 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
(Rain or Shine)

EVENT: Taste it ALL at the 2016 Breakin' Bread Flavor Festival

Hey You!

It's time for the 2016 installment of Breakin' Bread... "A Local Flavor Festival" presented by Birmingham Originals.
This year's event will be held at Birmingham's historic Sloss Furnaces downtown Birmingham.
The event will take place on Sunday September 25, 2016 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m..

Come taste UNLIMITED samples of the most  amazing culinary creations by some of Birmingham's most talented chefs. The proceeds from this event will benefit the Woodlawn High School Urban Farm, a partnership between Woodlawn High School & the Jones Valley Teaching Farm (501c3).

This years impressive list of participating restaurants includes:

 5 Point Public House Oyster Bar , Avo, Bellinis, Bettola, Bistro V, Bob Sykes BBQ, The Bright Star, Cantina Tortilla Grill , Catering by Bellinis, Century, Continental Bakery/ Chez Lulu, dg, FoodBar, Homewood Gourmet, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Irondale Café, IZ Café, The J. Clyde, Jackson’s Bar & Bistro, JoJo’s on Broadway, Little Savannah, MAFIAoZA’s, Nabeel’s Cafe & Market , Ocean, OvenBird, The Pantry at Stone Hollow Farmstead , Revolve Kitchen & Brew, Slice Pizza & Brew , Sol’s , Ted’s Restaurant, Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato, Vino, and The Wine Loft. 

   
Tickets are $35.00 for general admission and $99.99 for VIP tickets.
General admission tickets include unlimited food sampling and 2 drink tickets.
VIP tickets include unlimited food sampling, drinks, access to the executive lounge area and gift bags.
Want to bring the kids? Kids 12 years old and under will have free admission and access to unlimited sampling and kid friendly beverages. There will also be a children's area.

There will be live music by singer/ songwriter Raquel Lilly , music group Winston Ramble and Heath Green and The Makeshifters! You don't want to miss these exciting homegrown acts. 

To purchase tickets, go to https://birminghamoriginals.instagift.com/breakin-bread

*Birmingham Originals is composed of independent restaurant owners who banded together to form this popular coalition. 

Check out photos from a previous event http://birminghamrestaurantraider.blogspot.com/2014/10/if-you-missed-itbreakin-bread-re-cap.html#links

Fore more information visit the Breakin' Bread 2016 website  http://www.breakinbreadbham.com/
Follow the Birmingham Originals on social media:
Twitter @BHAMOriginals
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/breakinbreadbham/

If your hands aren't too full remember to use the hashtag #BreakinBread in your social media posts.
Thanks for reading and sharing!
Follow me as I #RaidBham @RestaurantRaidr

~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider
"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You"  
http://birminghamrestaurantraider.blogspot.com/
 

*Click photo for larger image*

The 2015 Taste of Uptown Review in Pictures

The 2nd Annual Taste of Uptown food festival was a huge hit! The sold out event managed to attract a massive number of attendees from all over the city and beyond.

As I interacted with the crowd, I discovered there were people who'd come from Montgomery and a few other nearby cities to attend the food festival.

All of the popular Uptown eateries consistently managed to churn out delicious samples to  feed the hungry crowds for 3 hours straight.


Look forward to the 2016 Taste of Uptown. Check out the photos from the event.

See you next year!
Thanks fore reading,

~RR

The crew from WJOX

 

BirminghamMountainRadio.com



The staff from the Sidewalk Film Festival

 

 



Chef Ortega from Texas de Brazil & a festival attendee