Nibble: CT Food Events & Happenings for Week of Sept. 25-Oct. 2nd

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

The Big E festival continues through October 2.  The Connecticut Tent is bigger and better than ever with over 60 Connecticut companies from BBQ restaurants to fresh apples to cigars.  The Craft Beer Garden will also feature Connecticut breweries like Stony Creek, City Steam, and Two Roads. 

Saturday October 1, the Stamford Nature Center hosts a Farm to Table dinner with Chef Forrest Pasternack.  The night starts out with cocktails and a tour of the Nature Center’s latest exhibit: The Art of Lolita Valderamma Savage: The Nature of Tuscany, Stamford & Beyond.  It continues with dinner. Tickets start at $100 per person. 

The Collective Arts Brewing Team is a new craft brewery looking to expand into New England.  On September 27, they are giving us the chance to sample 5 of their beers with a tap takeover at The Outer Space in Hamden, CT.  It starts at 5pm. 

Smoke in the Valley arrives in Seymour once again this weekend.  The kickoff party on Friday September 30 will feature food trucks, a New Belgium beer tent, and live entertainment.  On Saturday, the 6th Annual SITV Beer Fest starts at 12:30pm.  It includes a home brew competition, beer tastings, food trucks, and more. 

Half Full Brewery in Stamford has a few great events this week.  First, join them on Wednesday September 28 at 6:30pm for the Fleet Feet Pub Run.  Runners of all abilities start and finish at the brewery.  Then on Friday, visit them for their Open House.  For just $15, you get a cup and access to open taps.  Plus, you can play lifesize jenga or cornhole.  

Help L’Armoire raise funds to sponsor a puppy at a cocktail party fundraiser for Puppies Behind Bars on Thursday, September 29 from 5:30-7:30pm.  Baldanza Organic Cafe will provide tasty bites to eat while New Canaan Wine Merchants supplies wine.  There will be and live music by local band Mind The Gap.  Gloria Gilbert Stoga, President/Founder Puppies Behind Bars will be attending with a trained puppy.  RSVP to larmoirenewcanaan@gmail.com by September 24th.

The New Canaan Nature center invites you to its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday October 1 from 7-10pm.  The adults only event features beers, food, wine, and live music.  IT costs $75 in advance and $90 at the door.  

Start your day off with some grilling!  Chef Geoff Lazlo of Mill Street Bar & Table will show you how to grill and entire meal, all while using fresh ingredients from Back 40 Farm and other local farms.  Enjoy lunch afterward.  The class will take place on October 1 from 11am-2pm.  It costs $150 per person.  To reserve, visit millstreetct.com or call 203.813.3323.

Mohegan Sun’s Sun Brewfest returns for its third year on Saturday October 1.  The Grand Beer tasting session runs from 1-4pm.  A more limited “A Toast to New England” Session runs from 6-8pm and allows guests to mingle with their favorite brewers.  Tickets start at $30.  

An Oktoberfest Bavarian Cooking Contest will unfold at Stamford’s Seaside Tavern on Saturday October 1 at 10pm.  6 contestants have been chosen to present their dishes before the judges.  Prizes include a $100 gift certificate and the chance to collaborate with Seaside’s chef and owner Chris Kelley.

The Farmstead Festival 2016 will take place at Percy Thomson Meadows Farm is on Saturday, October 1 from 11am-4pm.  The day includes a pig roast, craft beers, Executive Chef Isaac Olivo from Mayflower Grace Inn & Spa, farmstead cheeses, baked goods, meats, produce, condiments, cooking demonstrations, boutique wines, and live music.  A portion of the festival proceeds will go to Clay & Wattles Theater Company.  

Chowdafest 2016 will be held on Sunday October 2, 2106 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport CT from 11AM to 3PM.  The event will feature 40 restaurants from all over New England and as far away at Seattle. 

Stamford’s Dinosaur BBQ understands that a new school year and the end of summer means a busier schedule.  Their “Family Stylin” package can make things easier.  The ready to eat meal feeds 4-6 and includes chicken, ribs, brisket, cornbread, sauce, and your choice of sides.  Pick it up at their to-go counter or call ahead to find out about delivery.

Cask Republic Stamford is joining in on Oktoberfest.  For a limited time, they’ll have steins of German beer and Oktoberfest inspired food.

Oktoberfest continues at other Connecticut restaurants.  Places like Vespa and the Redding Roadhouse continue to offer special menus for the season.  Click here to see which places still have Oktoberfest events this week: