Wine & Dine: Memphis food and drink events to mark on your calendar for September
Several Memphis food and drink events in September should be on your calendar.
From a boucherie picnic to a beer fest to an event focused on table décor, there is something for almost every interest.
Here are some food and drink events you won't want to miss.
Oktoberfest at The Second Line
Midtown restaurant The Second Line is about to bring a taste of Germany to Memphis.
The New Orleans-themed restaurant known for po-boys and barbecue shrimp will soon be serving Schnitzel, Wurstl and Spätzle.
A pop-up concept being called “Steve & Todd go to Oktoberfest” will run Sept. 1-Oct. 3.
When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, Sept. 1-Oct. 3
Where: The Second Line, 2144 Monroe Ave.
Details: secondlinememphis.com
The Hill Country Boucherie & Blues Picnic
The Hill Country Boucherie & Blues Picnic at Home Place Pastures farm in Como, Mississippi, is a one-of-a-kind event.
World-class chefs from across the South use every part of the animal to bring you a lovely meal by the lake at Home Place Pastures. This year, more than 15 restaurants are participating. Memphis eateries on the list include Buster’s Butcher, Charcuterie by Paradox and the Secret Smash Society.
All participants regularly feature Home Place Pastures meat on their menus.
After the dinner, guests can enjoy live music at the Farm Shed.
When: 5 p.m. Sept. 9
Where: Home Place Pastures, 1630 Home Place Road, Como, Mississippi
Cost: $125
Tickets: homeplacepastures.com
Restaurant Iris: Peach Cooking Class and Luncheon
Restaurant Iris will host a three-course luncheon featuring peaches in each dish on Sept. 9.
As part of the lunch, there will be a live cooking demonstration from Chef Kelly English on how to make fresh mozzarella and use it with a peachy spin on a classic caprese.
When: 12:30 p.m. Sept. 9
Where: Restaurant Iris, 4550 Poplar Ave.
Cost: $55, not including tax or gratuity
Reservations: Call (901) 590-2828
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Zoo Rendezvous
Memphis Zoo's 38th annual Zoo Rendezvous will be held Sept. 9.
You'll be treated to an unlimited array of mouthwatering delights from Memphis’ best restaurants, food trucks and bars.
With a throwback 1990s theme, plan to dance the night away alongside three stages of live music, featuring the best of '90s pop, rock and hip-hop.
All proceeds benefit the zoo’s Create Adventures and Save Wildlife.
This event is for guests 21 and older.
When: 7-10:30 p.m. Sept. 9
Where: Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss Place
Cost: $200 per person (ticket includes all food and drink samples for the night)
Tickets: memphiszoo.org
Memphis Brewfest
Memphis Brewfest will celebrate its 13th year on Sept. 16.
The popular beer lovers' event features local food trucks, live music, games, vendors and — as always — unlimited beer samples from dozens of breweries and cideries from around the world.
When: 3-6 p.m. Sept. 16
Where: Memphis Sports & Events Center, 995 Early Maxwell Blvd.
Cost: $45 for general admission; $65 for a fast pass that allows entry 30 minutes early
Tickets: memphisbrewfest.com
Le Diner en Blanc
The date for the 2023 Le Diner En Blanc is Sept. 16.
This unique dining experience is a gourmet picnic where all attendees wear white. The event started in France more than 30 years ago and has grown into a worldwide event with dinner happening in cities across the globe.
The event’s location is a secret. Guests meet at various pre-determined gathering spots across the city to board chartered buses that will transport them and all their picnic accoutrements to the surprise location. And as the name “en blanc” suggests, guests must wear all white, as well as bring picnic supplies that are white.
When: Sept. 16
Where: Location is a surprise
Cost: Tickets start at $48 per person
Tickets: memphis.dinerenblanc.com
Chez Philippe: Jack Daniel's Tasting and Dinner
Whether you're a seasoned whiskey connoisseur or simply eager to explore new tastes, Chez Philippe's Jack Daniel's Tasting and Dinner promises to be an unforgettable experience.
The progressive event includes a tasting of Jack Daniel’s rare Tennessee whiskeys led by Master Distiller Chris Fletcher and a four-course fine dining experience in Chez Philippe. Created by Chef Keith Clinton and Executive Pastry Chef Konrad Spitzbart, the whiskey-infused menu incorporates Tennessee Rye, Bonded, Tennessee Honey and Tennessee Apple into the dishes.
When: 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21
Where: Chez Philippe at The Peabody Memphis, 149 Union Ave.
Cost: $200 per person, plus taxes and service charge
Reservations: peabodymemphis.com
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Junior League Celebrations in Table Design
Celebrations in Table Design is an event focused on both designer- and individual-designed tablescapes in a unique showroom format. Each table is set and decorated in its own theme.
The event began in 2019 with the Junior League of Memphis Garden Club. All proceeds benefit the Junior League of Memphis.
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 26-27
Where: Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road
Cost: $15
Details: jlmemphis.org
Pantà Basque Wine Dinner
Pantà will host a four-course tasting of food from the Basque region of Spain crafted by Chef Derk Meitzler on Sept. 27. Each course will be paired with wines from around Spain.
When: Sept. 27
Where: Pantà, 2146 Monroe Ave.
Cost: $75 per person, not including tax and gratuity
Reservations: Call (901) 417-7491
Cooks & Collars
Cooks & Collars is a dinner and fundraiser benefiting Catholic Charities of West Tennessee Emergency Services programs. The Emergency Services Programs distribute on average over 2,200 meal bags and 1,600 food boxes each month to individuals and families, last year serving over 668,000 meals to those in need across West Tennessee.
The event will be held at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms Park. The highlight of the evening will be pairing local celebrity chefs with Catholic priests to create and prepare an appetizer live at the event. The “official” judging panel will choose the appetizer with the best taste and best presentation, and guests will vote for the “Voter’s Choice” best team overall. The night will also include live entertainment, a catered dinner, and silent and live auctions. Participating chefs include Ryan Trimm, Karen Carrier, Mario Torres and Kelly English.
When: 6 p.m. Sept. 28
Where: FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms Park, 415 Great View Drive East
Cost: $150 per person
Tickets: cooksandcollars.org
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis food events to attend in September 2023
