There literally is a food festival (sometimes several) that occurs every month of the year somewhere in Richmond (complete list). Right now, the two best ones are the Greek and Lebanese. Having grown up in Richmond, I have fond memories of the old International Food Festival that used to be at the coliseum. It always seemed like a big event where everyone in Richmond showed up. Since that went away, there really hasn’t been THE definitive Richmond food festival. Â
Enter the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the First Annual “Broad Appétit” Food and Art Celebration (Sunday, May 18 on the 100-300 Blocks of West Broad Street). This could be our answer:
The first annual Broad Appétit Food Festival will feature Richmond’s favorite food purveyors, restaurants, chefs, cart vendors and artisans. The event is free to the public and is designed to feed one’s mind, soul and body with an eclectic mix of crafts and art, offerings from twenty of Richmond’s favorite chefs, and a huge kid’s area complete with original food-related entertainment and cool activities. A performing arts stage will host musical acts, unique food artists, and samplings from Richmond’s Centerstage Alliance groups. Our nation’s leading Bug Chefs, David George Gordon, Bug Chef from Seattle, Washington and David Gracer, Bug Chef from Providence, Rhode Island will compete, thrill and mesmerize the crowds with their ability to make grasshoppers and snails into a meal.Â
So far the event has lined up a who’s who of great local chefs:
- 1 North Belmont, Frits/Kendal Thompson
- 27, Carlos Silva
- Africanne West, Chef Ma Musu
- Beauregard’s, David Roygulehareon
- Buz and Neds, Buz Grossberg
- Café Rustica, Andy Howell
- Comfort, Jason Alley
- Cous, Cous/Sticky Rice, John Yamashita
- Croaker’s Spot, Angelie Moon
- Enoteca Sogno, Gary York
- Hidden Treasures, Norman Jordan
- La Grotta, Antonio Capece
- Nicks Produce, Manuel Mouris
- Old City Bar, David NapierÂ
- Popkin’s Tavern, Tim Kilkeary
- Positive Vibe, Rob Hamlin/Jay Frank
- Six Burner, Lee Gregory
- Tarrant’s Tavern, Ted Santarella
- TJS at The Jefferson, Matthew Tlusty
- Zed Cafe, Bill Foster
I’m super excited about this event and can’t wait till May!
Learn More
[...] The The804.com–Richmond VA Real Estate Blog has an update on Broad Apetit including a list of participating restaurants and chefs. [...]
Pingback by Monroe Ward - Richmond, Virginia » Broad Appetit - Chef List - Richmond, Virginia — March 18, 2008 @ 11:18 am
I expect the food blogs to be all over this. Which means I can just use them as news stories. I’m hoping to get a scoop or two of my own.
Bon (Broad) Appetit!
Comment by Paul Hammond — March 20, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Once the Tap Project is finished, I’ll put a big banner on the top of the Good Life’s restaurant page. Let’s promote the heck out of Broad Appetit, at least from the blogger side. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a packed Broad Street again.
Also, I hope ALL the media covers this (not just whoever becomes the official “Media Sponsor”)
Comment by the804.com — March 20, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
[...] It is true, as the804.com says, that it seems like there is some kind of food festival in Richmond every month but that there is no one of them that really stands above the rest. This is set to change, though, with this year’s First Annual Broad Appétit Food and Art Celebration which will take over Broad Street between Adams and Monroe on Sunday, May 18th. [...]
Pingback by Carver & Jackson Ward News » mark your calendar: Broad Appétit is coming - Richmond, Virginia — March 25, 2008 @ 7:10 am