Mark Your Calendars: May Happenings

As always seems to be the case, my month of May is completely jam-packed with events and travel. Here are just a few of the fun events I know are happening in the weeks ahead. Mark your calendars now so you don’t forget!

Franklin’s Eat the Street

Friday, May 4th
5 – 9 pm

The Shed at The Factory (located at the rear parking lot)
230 Franklin Road
Franklin, TN

A plethora of food trucks, live music, and a kids’ area are sure to make Franklin’s very first Food Truck Festival a huge hit! Participating food trucks include: Bear Creek Farms, Blackbird Heritage, Dixie Belle Cupcakes, Grilled Cheeserie, Hot Diggity Dog, Hot Spot, Jonbalaya Catering, Louisiana Seafood, Puckett’s, Riff’s, Smoke Et Al, The Sugar Wagon and YAYO’s OMG.

Admission is free, with all proceeds raised from sales benefiting the 21 st Drug Court. Check out their Facebook page for more info.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

May 10th – 13th, 2012
Midtown Atlanta

I’m so excited to be attending the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival this year, even if I will be working! Goo Goo Cluster will be one of the featured vendors within the Tasting Tents, so I’ll be sharing some chocolate love with all the attendees!

There are so many events taking place over the weekend, that it’s best to check out the AF&WF website for all the details. (And if you’re planning to attend, please be sure to come find me and say hello!)

Help sweet Sophie find a cure for HAE!

HAE Fundraising Dinner at Amerigo

Wednesday, May 16th
6:30 pm

Amerigo
1920 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN

Most of you probably haven’t even heard of HAE, a rare hereditary disorder that causes serious problems with the immune system. The disease was brought to my attention by  my Twitter buddy, Jim Reams, whose 11 year old daughter Sophie unfortunately suffers from the condition.

Through the years, there hasn’t been much progress toward finding effective treatments or a cure for the potentially life-threatening genetic disease. However, a step in the right direction happened earlier this year when the Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 286, declaring Wednesday, May 16, 2012, to be Hereditary Angioedema Awareness Day in the United States.

To recognize the day, and help raise both awareness and much needed research funds, Amerigo and Drink Music City are teaming up for a HAE fundraiser dinner. Cost is $50 per person, and all proceeds will go to the Hereditary Angioedema Association. There are only 30 spots available for the dinner, so reserve yours now by calling Ali Gensert at 615 298-2986.

Check out this amazing menu:

Seared scallop with a mint and spring pea relish, tomato chili jam and crispy prosciutto

Arugula salad tossed with green olives, almonds, oranges and ricotta salata

Family style — Roasted chili, sausage, tomato and fresh oregano pizza, finished with Pecorino Romano and olive oil

Seared lamb chop, parsnip and potato gnocchi tossed with honey thyme glazed carrots, roasted beet puree and grilled asparagus

Almond Panna Cotta with macerated berries and shaved sea salt infused chocolate

Generous Helpings

Thursday, May 17th
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Nashville Farmer’s Market
900 Rosa L Parks Boulevard
Nashville, TN

One of my very favorite events, Generous Helpings, a fundraiser for Middle Tennessee’s Table, Second Harvest Food Bank’s grocery rescue program, happens this month.

With tastings from over 3o local restaurants, and plenty of beer and wine on hand, it’s always a good time. For a complete list of participating restaurants visit the event page on Facebook.

Tickets for Generous Helpings are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. This year, Second Harvest Food Bank will also be offering a Generous Helpings patron’s ticket for $125. Click here to purchase tickets.

Savor Nashville

Celebrity Chef Dinner
Saturday, May 19th
7 pm
Hutton Hotel

$150/person

Challenge to the Chefs
Sunday, May 20th
12-2 pm
Union Station Hotel Lobby

$35/person

To purchase tickets, click here

I really just want to get this event on your radar…. I’ll be back soon with more details!