Continuing Tallahassee's celebration of earthly delights, the 15th of October was the Annual North Florida Wine & Food Festival. For the past three years, the Dedman School of Hospitality has been putting on this event to give their students some educational experience and it's been so popular that the event has become a staple of the Tallahassee's October festival line up.
This classy event offered over 300 different wines for the sophisticated palate. I had a blast at Brewfest and they had almost 100 different beers, so the idea was similar here, but the mood was very different. Much like Brewfest, the key to this event was to try as many different wines as possible while making sure to pace myself. The sheer number of varieties was overwhelming at first, but I found myself entering the festival a wine "noob" and exiting as a wine "enthusiast". I sort of hoped to leave as a "connoisseur" but I don't think that it would have been become that learned within a 3 hour period.
The event was held on the 6th floor of the University Club Center. That floor is lovingly entitled the Osceola Grill, after the Florida State Seminole's mascot, Chief Osceola. This venue has outdoor terraces that overlook the beautiful stadium and football field. I found myself learning more about the differences between Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon while I pondered life's quandaries though football analogies. Each wine sample brought me closer to realizing that I'm done with Cabernet Sauvignon. I've found that I've always liked Pinot Noir and it took two and a half hours of soul searching to figure that out.
Next in the lineup of Tallahassee festivals is the Greek Food Festival. Every year it's a great success and every year more and more people show up. This annual festival brings together all of Tallahassee to experience Greek culture through food, music, and other imported goods like jewelry, dolls and antiques. As promised by the name of the event, authentic Greek foods will be in abundance so don't bother eating before the event. The vendors will have you covered.
Every year this event takes place at 1647 Phillips Road which is on Mahan a little east of Blairstone. The Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church puts on this event to give back to the community to say thanks for all the love and support they receive from Tallahassee. With such a great cause for occasion, it would be shame to miss out on the festivities. This event is family friendly and offers something for people of all ages.
Last year I stopped by a few times throughout the day to get some gyros and Souvlaki - which is charcoal grilled lean cubes of pork that are skewered and marinated Greek style - to eat with some friends. The event is on the 4th and 5th of November and starts at 10 am and continues until 10 pm so you can definitely make a day of it or come and go as you please. I'm going to stop by for some food on Friday but my Saturday is devoted to going Greek.
I hope everyone makes it out there and is ready to get a belly full of delicious Greek delicacies.
Tags: Beer, Festivals, Food, Greek, Tallahassee, Wine
Pedro SemperteguiPedro Sempértegui is a recent graduate of Florida State University's English department. After growing up in the quiet suburb of Coral Springs, Fl, he moved to the capital to pursue writing. Since Tallahassee's nightlife has introduced him to new music, awesome food, and delicious microbrews, it's only right that he tries to pass on that knowledge.
