What comes to mind when you think about the south? Terrific weather, southern hospitality, comfort food, great music and maybe just a little bourbon, right? But what city springs to mind when you think of enjoying them all together? If it’s not Greenville SC, then you’ve got some enjoying to do!
Once a former textile manufacturing and agriculture town, Greenville is transforming itself to become a visitor-friendly food and entertainment destination.
Stunningly nestled in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte, Greenville is a small southern town with a European feel. The downtown area is crisp and modern, but still easily walkable, with plenty of parks, galleries and shops to enjoy. The newest addition is Liberty Bridge in Falls Park, a suspended pedestrian bridge over a waterfall.But what Greenville really wants to be is a “foodie’s paradise” and with over 80 restaurants and pubs in and around Main Street alone it is well on the way to being just that. So what to do and where to eat… What is a foodie to do? Greenville to the rescue! Start with their annual and equally fantabulous food, wine and music festival.
A bit of a gastro-history lesson is in order… 10 years ago, local restaurateur Carl Sobocinski of Table 301 and platinum-selling singer singer/songwriter Edwin McCain decided to launch a one-day food extravaganza called Euphoria. Now an annual event held in September, Euphoria draws over 6000 people from across the United States to experience four days of Southern hospitality, entertainment, and some of the most amazing food on earth. Can you say ribs, pork, collard greens, grits, Carolina gold rice, and chocolate? The celebration has been named one of the “10 Southern Food Festivals You Need to Taste” by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and was praised in Oprah, USA Today, and The New York Times. This year’s celebration scheduled to take place from September 17 through 20 is poised to out do them all.
Guests mingle with celebrity chefs, enjoy great music, demonstrations, tastings, as well as luxury experiences, but the focus remains the food! Chefs already on the menu to appear include Curtis Duffy from Grace Restaurant in Chicago, Katie Button of Curate and Nightbell in Asheville, Scott Crawford of Standard Foods and Nash Tavern in Raleigh, Travis Croxton of Rappahannock Oysters Co., and many, many more.
You can bet there will be plenty of barbeque, bourbon, and some great music, too. Saturday features a Tasting Showcase where some of the smaller vendors get to offer samples of their food and drinks, including wine, craft beers, and handcrafted spirits. Signature events have include the Songwriter’s Recipe, a Traffic Jam of food trucks, Lambs ‘n Clams, Tasting Showcase, Jazz Brunch, Sunday Supper and Taste of the South – what’s not to love? Just when you think you can’t eat another thing, new this year is a tempting event called Swanky & Sweet highlighting – you guessed it – some of America’s best pastry chefs!
McCain will be on hand this year, along with Grammy Award-winning songwriter Tim Nichols to provide music to feed the soul at two of the events. Another unique aspect of the festival is that they don’t just pair food and beverages; they pair chefs with musicians who accompany them as they prepare on the culinary stage.
Best of all, Euphoria is organized by a non-profit group called Local Boys Do Good (LBDG). In addition to putting Greenville on the map as a foodie destination, proceeds from the festival benefit charitable organizations which focus on providing support to those in need and educating through music, by providing grant money to food, hunger, education and health organizations in the upstate South Carolina area. This year’s recipients are the Greenville Youth Orchestra, Pleasant Valley Connection, Project Host, and United Ministries.
If you’re a foodie, don’t just look to the traditional locales for your eating adventures. New York and Los Angeles do a great job, but think outside of the box and you might just find more than a little something you’ll love in Greenville SC. Ready, set, go… Start making your plans to attend Euphoria this year. Get Your Tickets HERE
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