Charlotte StrEATs is a culinary festival celebrating the chefs and neighborhoods that make up Charlotte’s culinary scene.

2024 will see the return of the Tasting Tour where attendees can eat and drink their way through the best locally-owned restaurants in Charlotte and the free StrEATs Festival where you can watch our Neighborhood Cook-off Battles, shop local food and beverage artisans, taste cocktails and see award-winning chef Aarón Sánchez!

Also returning, StrEAT Smarts presented by CRVA! These intimate seminars give you the opportunity to learn from experts on a variety of culinary subjects.

NEW! Introducing StrEATs Uncorked! Bringing a taste of North Carolina’s diverse wines and cuisines to Uptown Charlotte.

Schedule of Events:

StrEAT Smarts: Healing with Ayurveda Cooking

Fri. March 29th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Coco and the Director

Former White House chef Roberto Mendoza shares the secrets to how Ayurveda cooking can shift your health from the inside out. Learn the basics and benefits of Ayurveda cooking, what it can do for your body, and taste delicious fare from chef Mendoza.

StrEATs Uncorked

Wed. April 3rd from 6-9 p.m. | Johnson & Wales

Charlotte SHOUT!’s signature food festival is expanding this year to bring a taste of North Carolina’s diverse wines and cuisines to Uptown Charlotte. Introducing StrEATs Uncorked!

The event will feature four wine regions and four Carolina cuisines, with tastings of each, including the Yadkin Valley and Swan Creek AVAs, Appalachian cooking, and fish camp fare. Learn all about StrEATs Uncorked here.

Agenda:

6:00 p.m. - Event check-in and ID check.
6:10 p.m. - Sip + Learn. The event will kick off with a presentation from Johnson & Wales University’s Sarah Malik on the evolution our state’s wine production and a tips on how to taste like a pro with Assorted Table’s Joshua Villapando.
6:30 p.m. - Wine + Food Tasting. Enjoy tastes from eleven North Carolina wineries and food from chefs representing different North Carolina cuisines.
8:30 p.m. - Shop. Attendees will be able to purchase the wines they liked best. Wines will be purchased through the wineries.
9:00 p.m. - Event over.
This event is 21+ only. All IDs will be checked. No refunds.

Tickets on sale now!

StrEAT Smarts: Shop Like a Chef

Sat. April 6th from 9 – 11 a.m. | South End Farmers Market + Trolley Barn Fermentory

Chef Eugene Briggs of Legion Brewing and Trolley Barn Fermentory will share with attendees how to cook a meal with what’s available at the market. Tour the South End Market with chef Briggs, where you’ll learn what to look for in produce and how to make a last-minute menu based on the seasons, then head to Trolley Barn for a breakfast made using those ingredients.

Tickets on sale now!

StrEAT Smarts: The Science of Pasta Making

Tues. April 9th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Market at 7th Street

Ever wonder why you put eggs in fresh pasta? Or why you don’t? Do different flours really make a difference? Chef Raffaele of Mano Bella Artisan Foods will dig into the art of pasta making. Attendees will taste four distinctly different types of pasta, all paired with from-scratch sauces that are perfectly suited for each pasta type. Option to purchase wine available.

StrEAT Smarts: Wine + Cheese, Made to Pair in North Carolina

Wed. April 10th from 6-7:30 p.m. | The Market at 7th Street

Across our great state, small winemakers and cheesemakers are earning nationwide recognition for what’s made in North Carolina. Nerd out with our favorite wine and cheese pros: Josh Villapando of Assorted Table Wine and Shop and Rachel Klebaur of Orrman’s Cheese Shop, who will guide guests on wine and cheese made for each other — and made in North Carolina — and share professional tips for what to look for in wine and cheese pairings.

Tickets on sale now!

StrEATs Tasting Tour

Sat. April 13th from 12-3 p.m. | Gateway Village

Taste your way from neighborhood to neighborhood without leaving Uptown!

Restaurants representing iconic Charlotte neighborhoods will serve a dish that represents their neighborhoods. Guests can visit each tasting tent and enjoy cocktails while taking in intimate demonstrations from our stage. Tickets are all-inclusive. Learn more about the event and see participating restaurants here.

Tickets on sale now!

Charlotte StrEATs Festival

Sun. April 14th from 12 -5 p.m. | Gateway Village

Celebrate the city’s culinary scene at this FREE event! The festival will feature a special appearance from award-winning chef, TV personality, author and philanthropist Aarón Sánchez. Aarón will be doing a cooking demonstration and emceeing our Neighborhood Cook-off! These battles will pit chefs head-to-head in a cook-off to win the title of StrEATs Neighborhood Champion.

Guest will also get to shop from over 25 local food and beverage vendors, enjoy cooking demonstrations, food trucks, live art, and more! Learn more here.

12:00 p.m. – Welcome from festival co-host Kristen Wile
12:15 p.m. – Cooking Demo from Chef Chris Coleman, Haymaker
12:45 p.m. – Neighborhood Cook-off Battle 1
1:45 p.m. – Neighborhood Cook-off Battle 2
2:30 p.m. – Cooking demonstration from Chef Aarón Sánchez followed by brief meet & greet
3:15 p.m. – Neighborhood Cook-off Final Battle, followed by the awarding of the 2024 Neighborhood Cook-off Champion
4:15 p.m. – Cooking demonstration from Sam Diminich, Restaurant Constance
4:30 p.m. – Artist Silver Sells will reveal her live painting. Last call for alcohol
5:00 p.m. – Farewell, event over

Get Your Free Ticket

Date: April 14, 2024

Time: 12pm - 5pm

Location: Gateway Village - 900 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202

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