Whether you’re visiting the Triangle or you’re a resident of the area, you’re well aware of the culinary splendor here. Durham, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh are notorious homes for fantastic foodie finds. In fact, New York Post dubbed Durham the “Foodie Capital of the South”. The Bull City is a combination of history and present, where tobacco meets foodie future. The American Tobacco Historic District and Brightleaf Square are topped off with bars and restaurants now where tobacco warehouses used to stand.
Several years ago, the News and Observer dubbed the Triangle food scene as, “a teenager experiencing a growth spurt”. The “Oscar Awards of the food world“, the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Awards, have been awarded to not only one, but four Raleigh chefs. Food & Wine magazine dubbed Daniel Ryan and Kim Floresca, husband-and-wife chefs who took over a restaurant in Chapel Hill, People’s Best New Chef in the Southeast. These accolades give the Triangle food scene substantial merit. But now, local professionals agree the local food scene is only going to get better and better.
Meanwhile, we’re well versed in delicious barbecue and outrageously good fried food, the Triangle has one of the most exciting dining scenes in the South. So, what better way to showcase the masterful flavor of the Triangle than a singular destination? Incidentally, TASTE, the Triangle’s largest food and drink festival, will be in town this weekend.
TASTE 
TASTE is a delicious and compelling three day event taking place this year from April 20-23. Known as the largest culinary event in the
Triangle area, TASTE is a series of master planned culinary experiences.
In it’s fourth year, TASTE invites more than 50 of the best chefs, culinary artists, artists, brew-masters, sommeliers (wine makers), and mixologists local to the area. What’s more? This year, for the first time, TASTE will include acclaimed regional and Southern talent. Come taste the treasured favorites of local chefs or sip local brews and spirits!
April 20
- Grande Taste Experience
- This event will be held in Durham, at the Durham Armory from 6:30-9:00. Prior year attendees claim this is the “culinary experience of the year.” Wander the Durham Armory and savor the tastes of dishes created by more than 30 of the best chefs in the Triangle area. The evening wouldn’t be complete without pairing wine from the chefs’ favorite distributors! Local brew-masters and beverage makers will be in attendance too in case you’re thirsty for coffee, soda, spirits, or craft beers.
- Sidecar Social Club will perform at the Grande Taste Experience. No experience is complete without music!
- Tickets are available online, so click here to purchase tickets in advance.
April 21
- Cider Class and Tasting
- This class and event will be held at the Black Twig Cider House in Durham. Spend an hour on Friday, April 21 at 4:00-5:00 with Mattie Beason, Cider Certification teacher. Learn all about the history of cider, regional cider production, and of course, taste cider while you learn!
- Tickets are available online. Click here for more information.
- The Ultimate Gluten-Free Dinner
- TASTE, for the first time, is hosting a gluten-free event. Primal Food and Spirits in Durham will host this event from 6:00-9:00 on Friday. Exciting, right? What’s even more exciting is that this event is a three course dinner served by Tim Lyons of Primal and Blu Seafood, and it’s paired with various ciders, gluten-free bread by acclaimed baker Kaley Laird, as well as gluten-free dessert options.
- Tickets and a full menu for the three course dinner are available here.
April 22
- The Seasonal Chef Class
- Head to the Art Institute in Durham at 10:00-11:30 for a cooking class centered around a specifically seasonal ingredient. This class will be led by Chef John May of the restaurant Piedmont. Without a doubt, this restaurant uses farm-fresh ingredients from Hillsborough! Chef May, former star of the show “A Chef’s Life”, will prepare a four course menu centered on his favorite spring vegetable.
- Grab your tickets here.
- Regional Grand TASTE Experience
- If you missed TASTE Thursday night, head to the Durham Armory in Durham at 12:00-2:30 for a lunchtime experience. 23 of the best chefs in the Southeast region will be ready to wow your taste buds even further.
- Don’t worry, there will be music at this event too. Counterclockwise String Band will perform throughout the event.
- Need tickets? They’re still available here.
- Wine Vs. Beer
- The weather this weekend should be beautiful. Spend Saturday afternoon outside at the PNC VIP Club at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham from 4:00-6:30 deciding whether beer or wine pairs better with 5 innings of small-plate pairings. Of course, they’re made by local chefs. Hear from an expert why certain beverages pair better with certain foods.
- Tin Cup Gin will provide the musical soundtrack for the afternoon.
- In the meantime, decide the age old question for yourself: wine vs. beer?
- Tacos Y Tequila Night at Dos Perros
- Order your favorite margarita and tempt your taste buds with a cocktail-buffet style set up at Dos Perros in Durham from 6:00-9:00. Dos Perros, JuJu and Jujube lend us the talented Charlie Deal for the night. Get ready for six different types of tacos to sample, and six different flavors of tequila. Don’t worry. No one forgot dessert, but it’s a surprise!
- Though spaced is limited, there are still tickets available.
April 23
- Jazz Brunch at NanaSteak
- Wind your weekend down with a trip to NanaSteak in Durham. You’ll wonder if you took a trip to the Big Easy! Enjoy live jazz music and brunch on savory delights like French toast or the surprising wild mushroom and goat cheese quiche. Chef Scott Howell will be mingling around, too. Of course, mimosas and bloody Mary drinks will be available. Each ticket purchased will also come with three drinks included.
- Tickets for this event are required in advance. There are specific seating times (reservations) but if you call ahead, you can make sure you, your friends, or other guests can sit at the same table. Make your reservation here.
- Salt and Smoke
- What better way to end a weekend of Southern culinary splendor than with a Southern-style barbecue? Head to the Rickhouse
in Durham from 4:00-7:00 and experience Kevin Callaghan’s Salt & Smoke, a traveling festival of Southern food and music. This family friendly event is equipped with live music from our favorite city, Chapel Hill. Big Fat Gap will serenade the event in a casual celebration of Southern traditions. - Kids under 12 can be admitted for free. As for the rest of us, tickets are available here.
- What better way to end a weekend of Southern culinary splendor than with a Southern-style barbecue? Head to the Rickhouse
House Hunting?
The Triangle region always has something going on from street festivals to local shows. Finding your home in the Triangle gives you every
opportunity to attend great events, taste some of the finest food in the South, and experience North Carolina. We’re here to help!
If you are interested in learning about the neighborhoods surrounding Durham as well as other properties in the greater Triangle area, visit us online. There’s no shortage of fun, family- friendly events in the area. Call us today at 919-813-6449 or e-mail us at [email protected] for additional information.