The eighth annual Taste of Akron takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. July 25.
More than 20 local restaurants and food purveyors will gather at Hardesty Park to cook up their favorite fare.
Food tickets are $2 each and all items are sold for either one, two or three tickets ($2, $4 or $6). Parking and admission are free. Hardesty Park is at 1615 W. Market St., Akron.
Aside from great food, the event includes music, entertainment and the Kindest Cut of Steak cooking competition sponsored by the West Point Market.
The event is part of the 34th Annual Akron Arts Expo at the park, which includes a Wine Tasting and Silent Auction from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets to the wine event are $40, $75 for two; phone 330-375-2836.
It will feature more than 150 wines and beers from around the world, and hors d’oeuvres by Catering by Mark DiFeo. The event is open to anyone 21 and older. A free ballet performance in the park follows the wine tasting at 8:45 p.m. All proceeds from the tasting benefit the Akron Arts Expo artist awards, children’s area and performing arts.
The Arts Expo takes place in the park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The juried fine arts and crafts show will showcase more than 160 artists.
Dishing on Akron food
Dishcrawl, a modern twist on a progressive dinner, will host its first event in Akron a week from today.
Dishcrawl Akron will stop at four downtown restaurants beginning at 7 p.m. July 24.
The national initiative was founded on the premise that communities can be brought together through good food and good company.
The locations of the dining spots are kept secret until 48 hours before the event, when the first location is revealed.
The event is $45. To sign up, visit www.dishcrawl.com/akron or phone Akron Dishcrawl Ambassador Megan Konst at 216-337-5536.
Their lists made the list
Several local restaurants were honored when Wine Spectator magazine released its 2013 Restaurant Wine List Awards.
Those making the list are Bender’s Tavern in Canton, Downtown 140 in Hudson, Fleming’s Prime Steak House & Wine Bar in Copley Township, the Galaxy Restaurant in Wadsworth, and 750 ml wine bar in Akron.
A host of Cleveland area restaurants also made the list.
The magazine’s annual list highlights restaurants around the world that offer the best wine selections.
This year’s list included nearly 3,800 spots in all 50 states and 76 other countries.
Hungarian club has picnic
The Hungarian Cultural Center of Northeastern Ohio will host a picnic on its club grounds at 12027 Abbott Road, Hiram Township, from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The Hungarian Club’s cooks are preparing a variety of ethnic dishes including stuffed cabbage, pork, Hungarian sausage, potatoes and pastries, that will be available for purchase. Roy and the Hungarians will perform from 2 to 6 p.m.
The event is open to the public. Admission is $5, children under age 16 are free. For more information, visit www.hungarianclub.com.
Winemaker dinner is set
Ken Stewart’s Grille, 1970 W. Market St., Akron, is hosting a wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. July 25, featuring winemaker Charles Smith and K Vintners.
In 2008, K Vintners was recognized by Wine & Spirits magazine as one of the “Best New Wineries of the Last Ten Years,” and as “Winery of the Year” in its annual buying guide. In 2009 Food & Wine magazine awarded Smith “Winemaker of the Year” and in 2010 Seattle Magazine recognized him as its “Winemaker of the Year.”
The five-course meal is $55 plus tax and tip. Reservations are required; phone 330-867-2555.
Pick a peck of winners
When you are picking pickles, peppers and tomatoes from your gardens this summer, you may want to consider entering two contests coming up later this summer sponsored by the Downtown Akron Partnership.
The first is a Pickle Making Contest on Aug. 9, and the second is a Salsa Making Contest on Sept. 6. Both will take place at the Farmers Market at Lock 3, beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Entries must be submitted three days prior to the contests at the DAP’s offices in Greystone Hall, 103 S. High St. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. Visit www.downtownakron.com/enjoy/the-market-at-lock-3 to print out an entry form, or phone 330-374-7618 for more information.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com. Find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @akronfoodie or visit my blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/lisa.