Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of May 31-June 4

Bartaco Westport is letting you help them pick their next summer drink with their “Sip + Tell” event on Wednesday March 31.  Spanish winemakers from La Sueca will be there and guests will get to sample Bartaco’s new summer sangria recipes and vote for their favorite. 

For the fourth year in a row, CTbites has partnered with Chef Frederic Kieffer and Artisan at the Delamar Hotel Southport for an outdoor Happy Hour on their gorgeous patio and bar.  On Wednesday May 31 from 5:30-7:30pm, we’ll kick off al fresco dining with assorted light bites and cocktails.  Priced at $40, the Happy Hour includes a specialty cocktail and a second drink of wine or beer and assorted appetizers. 

New Haven’s ZINC will host Master Beekeeper Bill Hesbach, Broken Arrow Nursery, and Barr Hill Gin for a four-course dinner called “The Buzz About Bees and Flowers.”  On June 1, learn about bees and pollination via a fun dinner inspired by honey and served with wine and cocktails.   Tickets are $85, all inclusive. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. 

The Stamford Museum & Nature center will have their 20th Annual Food & Wine Celebration on June 2.  The Bendel mansion will serve as a backdrop for dancing, door prizes, raffles, gift bags, wine and beverage tastings, and samples of food courtesy of area caterers and restaurants.  Proceeds go toward the SM & NC. 

On Saturday June 3, visit Copps Island Oysters on Norwalk Harbor for “Cocktails & Clams.”  The summertime seafood celebration will benefit Harbor Watch, which works to keep Long Island Sound’s waters clean.  The evening includes all you can eat freshly shucked oysters and clams, wine, beer, live music and more.  Tickets are on sale now. 

The Sun BBQFest returns to Mohegan Sun on June 3 & 4.  Join them on Saturday from 11am-10pm with fireworks at 9:15pm and Sunday from 11am-5pm.  Enjoy live music, a beer garden, a Tito’s vodka RV, BBQ battles, food trucks, and more. 

Bull & Swine in New Haven invites you to an all-you-can-eat Summer Luau Party on Saturday June 3 from 1-5pm!  Stop by for a Pig Roast, Two Roads beers on tap, Hawaiian-inspired cocktail, music, and more.  Costumes are encouraged!  Tickets are available online and cost $59 per person.

The Ninety9Bottles Craft Beer Festival returns to South Norwalk on Saturday June 3.  The festival features over 75 craft beers, music, and plenty of food.  It is in collaboration with the Adoption Hope Foundation. 

If you’re interested in New Haven’s food scene, embark on a Culinary Tour of the city on Saturday June 3 at 10:45am.  Stephen Fries, Food Columnist and Professor of Hospitality Management at Gateway Community College, will guide you to 9 different restaurants.  The tour will take place rain or shine and lasts approximately 3.5 hours.  Tickets are available online and cost $64 per person. 

Chef Scottish Francis of Masterchef Season 5 comes to Hartford on June 3 to teach us about “The Science of Food.”  Francis and other professional chefs will demonstrate innovative cooking techniques, like creating yolks using sodium and calcium chloride.  It takes place at the Connecticut Science Center in two sessions: 10am-12pm and 2-4pm.  Tickets are $35. Contact asailor@ctsciencecenter.org or call (860) 520-2163.

Harlan Publick is hosting their Summer Startup BBQ on Saturday June 3!  This year, New Belgium Brewing is joining in on the fun and launching their latest beer: "Transatlantique Kriek.”  The party will also include a whole hog pig roast with plenty of sides and live music.  It costs $40 per person. 

“A Farm Dinner with Jane Green” with food and cocktails prepared by @festivitiesct .  Gilberties Herb Farm in Easton, CT will provide the setting for this enchanting evening celebrating the best-selling author’s latest book.  This Gin Cucumber Cooler, made with @asylumdistillery gin is just one of three signature cocktails created for the event on Saturday, June 3rd.  

The Chester Fair will hold its 6th Wine and Beer Tasting on Saturday, June 3 from 6:30- 9:30pm. at the Chester Fairgrounds.  There will be wine and beer vendors, live entertainment, and food for sale from local restaurants.  Admission is $20 and proceeds will go towards the Chester Fair Scholarship and educational programs.

Battle of the Chefs returns to Founders Hall on Sunday June 4 from 4-7.  In a culinary showdown, Chefs Mike Anastacio (Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish, North Salem), Paul Desiano (formerly Cello/Plate, Ridgefield), and former Chopped contender Germano Minin (The Village Tavern, Ridgefield), will compete to create an entree from a basket of surprise ingredients, in just sixty minutes, in front of a live audience.  As part of the entertainment, culinary enthusiasts can mingle with the chefs before and after the entrée competition, and get close to the action to watch their techniques and skills as the fast-paced contest unfolds. Food and beverages (including an open bar) will be bountiful throughout the event. 

On Sunday June 4, The Hops Company (T.H.C.) hosts their 2nd Annual CT Cornhole State Championship.  It will be an open doubles tournament with a 64 team double elimination bracket.  There are cash prizes… with the first place winners taking home $1,000!  Registration opens at 9am (the event is limited to the first 64 teams to sign-up.)  Entry is $60 per team and the tournament starts at 10am.  21+ years only.