Culinary Smackdown Reminder and More May Food Events

Spring is in the air, and local farmers markets are bursting with early season goodness! One way to put some of those great spring greens to use is to join in this month’s Culinary Smackdown: Battle Salad. The Smackdown is a friendly little cooking/blogging contest that is open to all. We’ve had some great newcomers – and winners – in the last few months! It's a fun kick-in-the-pants to try something new, and I always come away with great ideas from everyone else's contributions. Get all the details here from last month’s winner, Grumpy Granny, who is this month’s host and judge. You're by no means limited to greens, and I love that she poses the question: "What's a salad? You definite it. This is your playground." So play away, kiddos!

Despite its popularity the past two years, Farmers Fair in Covington will not be held this year. Instead, a series of individual events is planned, starting with a 25-mile Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food bike ride next Saturday beginning with coffee and breakfast burritos at Findlay Market, stops at Enright/Price Hill Eco Village, McGlasson’s Farm, and Boone Farm, and concluding with lunch at Covington Farmer’s Market. The event is free, but registration is encouraged to ensure enough food is on hand. Details here.

Another offshoot of Farmers Fair is Dinner on the Farm June 1 at Napoleon Ridge Farm to benefit the Community Farm Alliance. It will feature food sourced from NRF and other local farms prepared by Chef Steven Geddes of Local 127 plus local wines from Stonebrook Winery and music by The Turkeys. Transportation will be provided departing from Local 127, where you can kick off the evening with cocktails. I’ve been to Napoleon Ridge, off I-71 just past where it splits from I-75 toward Louisville, and am really looking forward to this! Only 50 seats available.

Here are some other fun food events you might want to put on your calendar.

Jean-Robert’s Table is offering a Springtime in Paris special Thursdays after 8 p.m. through the end of the month, a bargain at four courses for $40 plus half-price wines by the glass and music.

You can head to Viet Nam via the Cincinnatian's Third Thursday Tasting this month, where $60 gets you a two-course dinner for two and bottle of wine.

The Go OTR Summer Celebration next Sat. (5/19) will feature crafts by City Flea, food by A Tavola, Abigail Street, Bakersfield, Lavomatic, Senate (which is doing a BBQ pop-up), Taste of Belgium, Venice on Vine, and probably more.

And don’t forget Asian Food Fest next Saturday (11 a.m. to midnight) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) at The Banks.

FYI, I always have an eye out for special food events in Cincy and environs. Check out my facebook page for news as I spot it. And stay tuned to the blog for much more I have in the hopper :)