This Four Day Festival In South Carolina Promises Food, Wine, And Music

In the event you’re the sort that travels for meals and loves a meals competition or actually a chance to attempt dozens of dishes from numerous cooks multi functional place, then you need to in all probability have Greenville, South Carolina’s euphoria in your radar. Celebrating its seventeenth yr, euphoria will happen September 15 to 18. With the slogan, eat. sip. hear., this competition options 45+ occasions over the course of 4 days all with one widespread theme — unbelievable meals, drinks, and music.

And it’s all for an awesome trigger. Along with being a dream for many who love southern cooking, euphoria is a nonprofit group and competition proceeds fund tasks for native nonprofits that assist kids, present training by way of music or performing arts, and work to get rid of starvation. In 2022, euphoria gave greater than $45,000 to 4 totally different charities, probably the most ever granted in a single yr.

We chatted with euphoria’s govt director, Morgan Allen, about all issues euphoria 2022 the place she touched on what’s new, what’s thrilling, and what’s again that common competition attendees are most trying ahead to.

Right here’s the way it went:

What do you assume persons are most enthusiastic about this yr?

Morgan Allen: For the primary time since 2019, we’re internet hosting our full schedule of euphoria occasions. We have now greater than a dozen pre-festival occasions beneath our belts already this yr, and we’re about to host 45 extra over the course of 4 days in September. It’s not misplaced on us how lucky we have been to by no means must cancel the competition or go a full yr with out euphoria occasions, however it certain does really feel good to be again in full swing.

So what new issues are occurring in 2022?

MA: We’re internet hosting extra visitor chef dinners and school rooms than ever earlier than, and celebrating all kinds of numerous delicacies from our proficient line-up of cooks. With specialties starting from paella, seafood, Creole, and vegan dishes to Asian, French, and Spanish-inspired delicacies, there’s one thing for each style and loads of possibilities to attempt one thing new.

We’re additionally excited in regards to the robust feminine illustration at euphoria this yr, with greater than 30 meals, beverage, and music professionals contributing to the competition. Three of the seven taking part cooks from Michelin-starred eating places are feminine, and they’ll all function sous cooks in our Wholesome Lunchtime Throwdown children’ cooking competitors, designed to nurture the following technology of culinary expertise. We’re thrilled to convey this occasion again after a short hiatus, together with two different fan favorites: Songwriter’s Recipe and Social gathering within the Park.

What occasions do you suggest to somebody who has by no means attended euphoria earlier than?

MA: Feast by the Field – is an absolute should for seasoned euphoria attendees and newcomers alike. Whether or not you wish to pattern ‘til your coronary heart’s content material from cooks, breweries, winemakers, and regional distillers, study some new methods from cooking demos on the culinary stage, or simply sit again and chill out whilst you hearken to stay music, that is the biggest tasting occasion of euphoria weekend.

Party in the Park – Company will (fairly actually) social gathering within the park with stay music, crafted drinks, and scrumptious bites from a number of the finest cooks throughout the Southeast. You should definitely convey your dancing footwear — that is the not-to-be-missed social gathering occasion of the weekend!

Songwriter’s Recipe – An intimate behind-the-scenes occasion that includes legendary songwriters Tim Nichols, Heather Morgan and Monty Criswell, who’ve written songs for Tim McGraw, Keith City, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Eric Church, and plenty of extra. Hear the tales behind the songs you’ve been singing alongside to whereas noshing on bites and sipping specifically crafted cocktails.

Classroom on a topic of interest – euphoria’s emphasis on training is clear within the 20+ school rooms, lunch & learns, and wine seminars on the schedule. Matters cowl the whole lot from chocolate, acai bowls, pickling, and knife abilities to gin, tequila, beer, glowing wines, and Japanese liquors – and extra.

What new occasions do you assume cannot be missed?

MA: We’re kicking off yr 17 with A Tyler Florence Homecoming in partnership with VisitGreenvilleSC at Soby’s New South Delicacies on September 15. For the primary time ever, Meals Community star and James Beard-nominated chef Tyler Florence will host a wine dinner in his hometown throughout euphoria. This dinner is already bought out, however it’s definitely one of many occasions everyone seems to be speaking about.

Social gathering within the Park and Songwriter’s Recipe aren’t essentially new, however each are returning after a short hiatus, so we take into account them “new” for this yr. Each are favorites that folks missed once we have been unable to host them, so we’re excited to convey them again and transfer them to new venues that ought to actually improve the visitor expertise.

We’re at all times developing with new subjects for euphoria school rooms. The wide selection of choices this yr is in contrast to something we’ve supplied earlier than. One particular person may probably learn to pickle, brew craft beer, construct the proper acai bowl, and ideal their knife abilities in the middle of one weekend.

Our Michelin dinners are new and totally different yearly, and really current a once-in-a-lifetime eating expertise with a number of the finest cooks within the enterprise. This yr, we’ve one of the vital awarded paella cooks within the nation, the primary Swedish girl to be a part of a two Michelin-starred restaurant (and solely the second within the U.S. to take action), and the 2021 World’s Greatest Restaurateur all taking part. And for the primary time ever, we’ve 4 cooks from Michelin-starred eating places collaborating for one dinner, which is bound to be an unforgettable eating expertise for all who attend.

How has the competition grown during the last 17 years?

MA: In a single phrase – deliberately. We’re pleased with how euphoria has grown over time, attracting unbelievable culinary expertise from everywhere in the nation (and even the world!), and changing into generally known as a competition the locals love and vacationers are keen to journey for. On the similar time, we’ve labored onerous to maintain euphoria at an satisfying dimension and preserve the intimacy that permits company to work together with award-winning cooks, songwriters who’ve written main hits, and a number of the finest winemakers, mixologists, distillers, and cooks from throughout the Southeast.

euphoria is a nonprofit competition. Proceeds fund tasks for different native nonprofits that assist kids, present training by way of music or performing arts, and work to get rid of starvation. Since its inception, euphoria has funded almost 50 tasks for different native charities. We created a Producers Circle the place our VIP ticket holders make charitable donations above and past their ticket packages, and that’s helped us give more cash again to our group than ever earlier than. We’ve additionally been capable of host extra occasions all year long and improve our financial affect on the Upstate and our native hospitality, culinary arts, and music industries.

The seventeenth annual euphoria will happen September 15-18, 2022 in Greenville, South Carolina. Take a look at the complete occasion line up and get your tickets here.