CT’s Biggest Food Truck Festival EVER, ever, ever: 1st Annual Connecticut Food Truck Festival

Set aside July 19 and 20…now…seriously…we’ll wait…

Update:  the festival organizer changed the price for tickets to $5.  Bring your ticket back on Sunday and pay only $2 admission! 

Connecticut peeps really like their food trucks.  And, on July 19 and 20 from 11-7 on both days, CT peeps are gonna fall straight up, head-over-heels in LOVE with a helluva lot of food trucks at the The Connecticut Food Truck Festival at the North Haven Fairgrounds.  Although the final details are still being worked out, there are already a few dozen trucks that have been signed up, with 40-50 expected by the time of the festival.  That brings this festival into the record books here in CT as the biggest food truck festival.  The previous record was at Westbrook Tanger Outlets with about 20 food trucks, and the recent RBS Food Truck Festival clocking in at 15.  And, the top record will soon be broken with an estimated 33 trucks at the Hamden Food Truck Festival…still not as big as the CT Food Truck Fest, though.  

Lost + Found Bazaar to Raise Money for Trackside Teen Center Ain’t So Bizzare

There’s nothing too crazy or bizarre going on at the Lost and Found parking lot on May 18 from noon-5 pm.  Well, maybe crazy good food, crafts, clothes, and accessories.  It’s all put together to help raise some money for the Trackside Teen Center in Wilton.  Here’s more about what TTC is all about, right from their site:

“Acting as a hub within the community of teen activity – designed by teens and for teens – Trackside provides ample opportunity for teens to engage in healthy alternative activities. From open hours and afterschool activities to weekend events, Trackside supports Wilton teens in developmental tasks by providing them a place within the community, other than home and school, where they can be involved in healthy socialization and gain experience in participating as a citizen in a productive manner.”

Admission is free and here’s what you can check out:

Food and Bubbles

Little Pub will be on hand, offering up some of their best dishes for you to nom away on during the bazaar.  Spiked Seltzer, which we wrote about yesterday, will be there giving you samples of their bubbly, refreshing, all-natural, adult beverages.  Also, Dough & Co. from Rowayton will be there with some cookies, lots of baked goodies, and more.  Plus, you’ll be able to purchase things like popcorn, water, and other snacks.

Games

The Lost and Found Bazaar has plenty of fun for kids and big kids of all ages.  There will be face painting, hourly Cake Walks with prizes provided by Dough & Co., chances for kids to Go Fish! for prizes, and our favorite game of all time…cornhole!

Shopping

Of course you’ll find Lost and Found at the Lost and Found Bazaar.  They’ll be featuring some classically cool refurbished and repurposed vintage and antique furnishings and accessories, as well as some upcycled and handmade products.  You can also check out the Coast to Coast Mobile Vintage Shop that will have a selection of men and women’s vintage clothing.  Third up is Bella & Co. that will have a variety of jewelry, accessories, and signage.  The fourth shop that you can check out is Vagabond’s Daughter who is offering hand-dyed scarves, throws, and pillows.  And, last of all, is Lizzie, Izzie + James who will have a selection of handmade felt children’s hair and head accesories…including crowns.  Yeah, ditch those Burger King crowns and go with these #FTW!

 

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Lost and Found Bazaar

5/18/14 from noon to 5 pm

Cost:  free

Lost and Found Parking Lot

Crossways Plaza

300 Danbury Road

Wilton, CT

 

15 Food Trucks Roll into Orange Fairgrounds for RBS Food Truck Festival

Update:  due to the threat of storms, the Food Truck Festival is postponed until May 23, 4-8 pm.  Please spread the word and tell your friends about the new date.  

One of the key benefits of the weather getting nicer (theoretically, look at it outside, bleh) is that it’s food truck season.  Of course, in our minds, any season is food truck season, but we can be realistic and say that a good majority of trux go into hibernation.  Well, shake off those sleepy heads because Race Brook School has put together a monster food truck festival for May 16 23 from 4-8 PM.  

Ditch your fancy restaurant plans and, instead, take a bunch of your friends over to the Orange Fairgrounds.  10% of all sales are being given directly to the Race Brook School that Alex from the newly launched The Buzz Truck (in attendance) went to!

This is seriously the best way to kick off a beautiful weekend with…

Cool Beans: The Buzz Truck Set to Percolate, Caffeinate + Feed the Masses

Update:  The Buzz Truck is running and fully caffeinated!  

Mornings, afternoons, or whenever you wake up from your late night out just got a helluva lot better.  That’s ‘cuz we’ve got a brand new food truck that’s ready to hit up the streets of Fairfield County called The Buzz Truck.  Run by husband and wife team Alex and Jess Grutkowski, The Buzz Truck is nearly ready to get us buzzing with caffeine and fill us up with some awesome local baked goods.  We think their new food truck will fill a major void in Fairfield County and will round out events perfectly.  So, let’s hear a little bit from Jess about how The Buzz Truck came to be, what drinks and food they’ll feature, where they plan to be stopping and setting up shop, and what their plans for the future are.

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Where did the idea for The Buzz Truck come from?

The idea came about organically, just from being a coffee lover and a mom short on time. My husband Alex and I both have a corporate background (online advertising and public relations, respectively). We always knew that someday we would start our own business, but it took some time to come up with the right idea. We thought about children’s parties, the Community Theater in Fairfield, mini golf, but nothing was “just right.”

I was always late to pick up my girls from nursery school at Earthplace…it was kind of embarrassing. But my friends and I would always cover for each other when we were late to pick up, especially since some of us drove from Fairfield and would get stuck on the highway or behind school buses.

I remember being in line one day watching the clock – slightly panicking – and the only guy in front of me pulls out a piece of paper and starts reading off orders…”One sugar, free, non-fat, vanilla latte, extra hot 190 degrees, not a ton of foam.” I was left to choose:  be late again or ditch the line and forego coffee all together.

Then the idea hit me. Why isn’t there an ice cream truck, but for grown-ups, with coffee? Even the name, The Buzz Truck, came to me at that moment. I could drive to the nursery school at pick-up time and the moms and staff could get coffee or tea, kids snacks and drinks.

Ticket Giveaway: Hops + Grapes, Toasts + Tastes 2014

One of the major highlights of the year for us is the annual Hops & Grapes, Toasts & Tastes event to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Connecticut.  This will be our third year going to the event and our second year as one of the sponsors, so we can’t wait to check things out on 4/25/14 from 7:30-10:30 at Chelsea Piers in Stamford.  VIP tickets are $100 or $175 for a pair, or you can get General Admission for $75 or a pair for $125 and that includes food, wine, beer, cocktails, and your chance to win some killer auctions.  In addition, VIP tix will get you a special gift bag, a raffle ticket, and a LLS writstband, while the GA tickets get you a gift bag filled with goodies.

Paws Uncorked: Food, Wine, Beer, and Whiskey Tasting Par-tay to Benefit Homeless Pets

Pop open some fun and check out Paws Uncorked on 4/27!

Since 1962, PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society) has been rescuing and protecting our furry friends here in Connecticut.  Whether it’s rescuing and finding homes for homeless cats or dogs, or rescuing dogs from pounds where they’d be euthanized, PAWS is there to serve and protect.  In addition to all of this, they also host many adoption events, classes, and do even more for animals and the community.  Because PAWS is a non-profit and they do all these great things, of course they need funding and they do have great supporters…but every little bit helps.

Speaking of helping, check out PAWS Uncorked:  A Taste for Rescue on 4/27 from 5-8 pm at the Stamford Marriott!  Tickets are $45 in advance (buy them here) or $55 at the door.  A ticket gets you nomworthy tastings of food and drinks, a chance to shop around at vendors, and a shot at winning some great silent auction items.

PopShop Market Taking Over New Haven w/ Food Trucks + Shops

Lots o’ food trucks!

PopShop Market is back for some more awesomeness here in 2014 and their biggest and baddest spot ever:  The Shops at Yale!  This one day free event on 4/27/14 from 11-4 pm is a continuation of a series of events that PopShop Market has held in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, featuring an excellent variety of personally curated vendors.  

Not only will you be able to find whatever you need to get ready for spring, there will also be a ton of food options from some of CT’s best food trucks  for you to make your own lunch/brunch.  And, who doesn’t like to get a bit saucy during the day?  Of course ya do, it’s the weekend and you’ve earned it.  So, get ready for PopShop’s Signature BarCar that will feature spring-inspired cocktails and a CT brewery.  Details on this haven’t been revealed yet, so make sure to like them on FB and follow them on Twitter to get first dibs on the info.    

Win Tickets to Chocolate, Dessert, and Wine Lover’s Evening in Stamford, 2/6

UPDATE:  Thank you all for your stories and entries!  We randomly selected 5 winners using Random.org.  The winners are Roberta Anderson, Chris Warren, Matthew, Marla Kerwin, and Nancy N.    

Yesterday we told you about the massively chocolicious Chocolate, Dessert, & Wine Lover’s Evening that’s going down on February 6 from 6-9 at the Stamford Marriott.  Over 70 vendors, restaurants, vineyards, sweets shops, chocolatiers, coffee shops, cheese mongers, distilleries, and cupcakeries will be there for your sampling pleasure!  Plus, you also might just win one of many door prizes.  Yeah, it’s going to be quite the decadent night…and we want to help to get you there!

Sweet News: Chocolate, Dessert, + Wine Lover’s Night to Benefit Shelter for the Homeless

You know it’s just about Valentine’s Day when you start to hear about the annual Chocolate, Dessert, & Wine Lover’s Evening that benefits the Shelter for the Homeless in Stamford.

Woah woah woah…you just said three of my favorite words.  All three of those together in one massively awesome event? Wait, tell me more!  

Okay, sure:

First up, it all goes down on 2/6/14 from 6-9 pm at the Stamford Marriott and tickets are $50 in advance (purchase them here) or $60 after February 3.  Good news, too:  100% of the tickets sold go directly to the Shelter for the Homeless.  This annual event is always a major fundraiser and with the crazy temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately, those without a home need the help even more.

Fine Food for a Cause: Benefit Dinner for Stamford YMCA and Children’s Health

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As adults, we can pick and choose what kind of food we’d like to eat. Maybe we eat healthy all week, but decide to treat ourselves once a week. Or, maybe we get a few quick take out meals because we’re just so busy. But, there are plenty of people in the world and even here in Fairfield County who don’t have much of a choice.  Time after time, studies have shown that lower-income families often purchase unhealthy food because it’s cheaper, easier to access, and keeps everybody in the family fed.  Unfortunately, these fatty, processed, and preservative laden foods lead to obesity and major health problems.  And, nowhere is this more seen than with children who are growing, developing, and are incredibly susceptible to obesity.

Lots of people have taken stands on this issue such as Michel Nischan of Wholesome Wave who fought tirelessly to let food stamps work (and work better) at farmers’ markets. Lawmakers, too, are taking steps to kill off trans fats, and make school lunches healthier too.  And, there is also a group of people, restaurants, and organizations that are coming together to help out locally, too. You can be a part of this just by simply attending Fine Food for a Cause at the Palace Theatre in Downtown Stamford on 1/27 starting at 6:30. The night of music, food, awards, a live auction, and celebrity guest appearances all will be in place to help raise money for the Stamford YMCA. With the money raised they will bolster their youth development and healthy living programs and build a youth/teen wing.  The center of this new extension to the YMCA will be a teaching kitchen that will be used to help teach healthy and nutritional cooking techniques and recipes to teenagers and families.

Tickets for Fine Food for a Cause are $150. And there are different levels of sponsorship for individuals and businesses, too, if you’d really like to get more involved.

Now, onto the night itself…

• There will be a four course meal that includes food and desserts from:
  • Barcelona
  • bartaco
  • Bar Q
  • Columbus Park Trattoria
  • David’s Soundview Catering
  • Forever Sweet Bakery
  • napa & co.
  • Quattro Pazzi
  • Sushi Village Caterer
  • Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes
  • Tabouli Grill
• There will be cocktails, too, so you can schmooze.
• Learn about honorees Madhu Mathur, MD, MPH and Tom Sanseverino.
• As we mentioned, there will be plenty of live music and you’ll have a shot at some amazing items that you can bid on during the live auction.
• The night will be hosted by Stamford resident Chris Hansen of Dateline NBC.

We’ll be there and we hope to see you there, too.  Even if you can’t make it, consider a donation or helping out with a sponsorship.

Fine Food for a Cause

Date: 1/27/14

Time: 6:30 pm

Place: The Palace Theatre

Address: 61 Atlantic Street

                 Stamford, CT