Minnesota Monthly's GrillFest Heats Up May 18-19

Now that winter’s last snowfall has melted off our grills, it’s time to start making plans for your Summer of Barbecue. Ground zero for all things flame-cooked is the second annual Minnesota Monthly GrillFest, which takes place in a little more than a week, on Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th at the Depot. From 1-5 p.m. each day, exhibitors will display their rubs, sauces, and grills, as well as offer food, beer, and wine samples along with recipes and tips. Several favorite local restaurants will be represented, including chefs from Butcher & the Boar who will be serving their own line of sausages that’s debuting on retail grocery shelves, and chefs from the Dakota who will be doing cooking demos. The Dakota and the Current will also be bringing in bands, including Sarah Morris and the Bad Bad Hats.

GrillFest exhibitors will be pairing summer foods and beverages (at last year’s event, I discovered a BeaujolaisVillages that went perfectly with a burger). And you can discover how many small local food purveyors are in the seasoning and saucing business, making everything from Tequila Lime bbq sauce, to porketta seasoning, to Bloody Mary spice blend.

And if you’re thinking of buying a new grill or accessories, all those items will be priced with discounts at the show. Buy GrillFest tickets, $30 in advance/$35 at the door.