Photography courtesy of Taste of St. Louis
Restaurants from across the region will converge this weekend to offer their finest to the hungry masses, complete with a seven-category culinary battle, television stars, and rock bands. In its tenth year, the Budweiser Taste of St. Louis runs Friday to Sunday in Chesterfield.
“It’s been great watching it bloom into what it’s become," says festival co-director K. Sonderegger.
This year, celebrity chef Tyler Florence and Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman lend star power to the event, with flashy onstage demonstrations. Florence will cook up something fancy on Friday, with St. Louis chef Vito Racanelli and Anheuser-Busch brewmaster Jane Killebrew first warming up the crowd. After Florence, rock out to Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and then stick around for fireworks. On Saturday, two-time Cupcake Wars champion Casey Shiller of Jilly’s Cupcake Bar & Cafe presents before Goldman. Then, local favorite The Urge wraps up things. Finally, on Sunday, there's a day of free music, with Groovethang and That '80s Band performing, followed by fireworks.
All weekend, St. Louis culinary experts will compete in the Chef Battle Royale. The eight combatants have 40 minutes to whip up a dish in front of a live audience, with the winner of each round moving ahead. Among the contestants: Aaron Baggett of Edgewild Restaurant & Winery, Eric Brenner of FitFuel 365, Josh Norris of Triumph Grill, D. Scott Phillips of Balaban’s, Dave Rook of Bishop’s Post, Robert Trampier of St. Louis Country Club, and Wil Pelly of Sanctuaria. The fellas will battle for supremacy with mushrooms, tomatoes, chicken and egg, beef, pork and cheese. The final battle, Battle Seafood and Stella Artois, includes a dessert competition.
Area restaurants form the backbone of the festival, with more than 35 eateries along Restaurant Row. Attendees can stroll and sample, with full-size menu items on offer. New this year are “taste bites,” 2- to 3-ounce samples sizes. Replenish your own kitchen at The Marketplace, and class it up on the Art & Wine Walk. Kid City also has programming for growing gourmands.
Taste of St. Louis takes place at Chesterfield Amphitheater in Central Park and Chesterfield Village. There’s free parking at Chesterfield Mall with a shuttle, as well as paid and premium options closer to the event.
Visit tastestl.com for times, ticket info, and menus.
