Get your taste buds ready and the antacid at hand for the Flora-Bama’s Super Bowl Chili Cook-Off on Super Bowl Saturday, Jan. 31. Teams of three can pre-register and dress in costume to show team spirit. Tasters are also welcome at this event that benefits the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. Cooking begins at 10 a.m. and tasting begins at 12 p.m.
Our good cooks and flavorful food have several times to shine during 2015. Check out these festivals and start planning a visit soon.Be sure to follow our calendar of eventsfor more culinary events throughout 2015.
• The 23rd Orange Beach Seafood Festival and Car Show revs up Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Wharf in Orange Beach. The festival includes a silent auction, car show featuring antique, classic and hot rod vehicles, a Kids Zone with climbing wall, inflatables and games and a children’s performance pavilion.
• Sausage is the star twice a year on the last Saturdays of March and October at the nearby Elberta Original German Sausage Festival, set for March 28 and Oct. 31. The festival, held at the town park, uses a secret recipe developed by the town’s founding fathers, to make the sausage that thousands come to taste each year. A Bier Garten, crafts, carnival rides, entertainment and baked goods are all part of the festival.
• Waves of Wine, the annual Orange Beach Wine Festival will be Saturday, May 9 at Caribe the Resort. More than 150 unique wines and food from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach restaurants are featured during this festival.
• Historic Downtown Foley will be the site of the 4th Alabama Festival of Flavor, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event, featuring food, wine and craft beers and showcases locally produced items. Chefs will prepare unique items and brewers will be on hand to discuss their beers. A Corn Toss tournament and antiques dealers will be new to this year’s festival.
• The granddaddy of food festivals on the Alabama Gulf Coast, the 44th National Shrimp Festival gets the party started Oct. 8 for a four-day event that includes mouth-watering delectables, music, art, crafts, entertainment and a sand sculpture contest. It’s never too early to plan your visit during the National Shrimp Festival.