Where to Go at the Three Day Blow
Our dining critic (and Three Day Blow organizing committee member) has a roundup of some open to the public events.
Last month, I previewed Three Day Blow, the huge food and drink conference that begins today in Pittsburgh. In that story I focused on the event’s keynote speakers and panel discussions. Listed below are a few recommended events that you can go to without a festival pass (some events do require ticket purchase).
Steel(town) Chef: Battle of the Food and Drink Writers
It’s time for chefs to turn the tables on those of us who write about eating and drinking in Pittsburgh. Local writers Gretchen McKay and Bob Batz, Jr. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette), Drew Cranisky (Next Pittsburgh), Laura McDermit and Sarah Sudar of EatPGH, Jason Roth (Pittsburgh City Paper), Briana White (Soul Food Pitt) and I will face off in a cook-off challenge that will be judged by Jamilka Borges (Spoon), Jamie Patten (Allegheny Wine Mixer), Pete Kurzweg (Independent Brewing Company), Bethany Zozula (Whitfield at Ace Hotel), Brian Pekarcik (G&G Noodle Bar) and Mai Jeans (The Commoner at Hotel Monaco). It’s anyone’s game to win, but I’d put my money on the guy making the borscht.
August 25 from 7pm to 9:30pm at the Wigle Whiskey Barrelhouse. Free.
Pierogi Popup
Although pierogi might be our most famous filled dough ball, Pittsburgh is a city of dumplings and at this event you’ll get to sample three of our favorites. Apteka in Bloomfield is making pierogi, Piccolo Forno in Lower Lawrenceville ravioli and Oakland’s Spice Island Tea House will prepare Malaysian/Burmese dumplings. Pittsburgh Magazine is a sponsor of this event, which will feature Rick Sebak presenting certificates of recognition to the dumpling makers.
August 26 from 4:30om to 7:30pm at the Wigle Whiskey Distillery. Tickets are $35 and include dumplings, a Wigle cocktail and a beer from Full Pint Brewing.
Dinner Systems at Ace Hotel
Filmmaker David Bernabo screens the fourth and final installment of his Food Systems documentary series. This film looks at how food connects us to memory, culture and community, as well as the challenges of food access and accessibility. Whitfield Executive Chef Bethany Zouzoula will prepare a three-course, no waste meal featuring trout canapes, soup Stracciatella and beef shank simmered in a red wine bordelaise and thickened with bone marrow.
August 26 at 7pm at Ace Hotel in East Liberty. Tickets are $65.
Feast On!
Get a taste of Pittsburgh with this fun feast presented by the Carnegie Museum of Art, Wigle, and WAM! Whiskey of America Museum. Five Pittsburgh chefs — Jamilka Borges (Spoon), Curtis Gamble (Station), Jon Polley (Enrico's), Steven Thompson (Bluebird Kitchen), and Dave Anoia (DiAnoia's Eatery) — will set up stations, plus some of Pittsburgh’s best bartenders will be on hand making cocktails.
August 27 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at the Wigle Barrelhouse. Tickets are $40.
