As September unfolds, a unique energy fills the air. While the rhythm of school and autumn activities returns, for those with a passion for exceptional cuisine and beverages, this month heralds the arrival of a truly extraordinary event: the always amazing, four-day **Feast Portland!** This premier food and drink festival transforms Oregon’s vibrant city into a culinary mecca, attracting food enthusiasts from far and wide. It’s not just an event; it’s a celebration of flavors, creativity, and community, marking the pinnacle of the end-of-summer season and a joyous ushering in of fall.
Feast Portland 2017: Oregon’s Premier Culinary Festival
**Feast Portland** stands as a magnificent testament to culinary excellence, a powerhouse gathering that features an A-list collection of chefs, brewers, winemakers, distillers, and food artisans. This grand food and drink extravaganza is meticulously planned, with events unfolding in various captivating locations throughout Portland, Oregon. From **September 14 through September 17, 2017**, the city becomes a bustling hub of gastronomic activity, offering an unparalleled opportunity to experience the best of the culinary world.
For me, attending Feast Portland, especially with a blogger pass, has been a cherished annual tradition for five years, and the anticipation is always immense. It’s like Christmas arriving early, a moment eagerly awaited by thousands of fellow food, wine, beer, and cocktail lovers. The festival’s schedule is incredibly rich, packed with diverse experiences designed to delight every palate. From the expansive **Main Events** and the educational **Drink Tank** sessions to interactive **Hands-On Classes** and exclusive **Dinner Series** collaborations, there’s an endless array of options. And the celebration doesn’t stop there; the famous **after parties** and even the legendary **after-after parties** ensure that the culinary conversations and camaraderie continue long into the Portland night, making every moment an adventure.
The Grandeur of Feast Portland: Main Events and Dinner Series
At the heart of Feast Portland are its signature Main Events, which draw massive crowds and offer a comprehensive taste of the festival’s spirit. The **Grand Tasting**, for instance, is an epicurean marvel, an expansive marketplace where hundreds of purveyors showcase their finest creations. Here, guests can wander through a labyrinth of booths, sampling artisanal delights from cured meats and gourmet cheeses to innovative desserts and craft beverages, all while engaging directly with the passionate individuals behind these culinary masterpieces. Another crowd favorite, **Brunch Village**, elevates the beloved weekend brunch to an art form, featuring an array of creative breakfast and brunch dishes crafted by top chefs in a lively, festive atmosphere.
The **Dinner Series** events offer a more intimate and exclusive experience. These highly sought-after collaborations bring together acclaimed chefs from various culinary backgrounds, often from across the nation or even internationally, to curate multi-course meals that are nothing short of extraordinary. Hosted in some of Portland’s most celebrated restaurants, these dinners are a showcase of culinary artistry and innovative food and drink pairings. Each dinner typically revolves around a unique theme or a distinctive chef pairing, ensuring that every attendee experiences a truly memorable and unique dining journey that highlights both skill and creativity.
Your Essential Guide to Feast Portland: Making the Most of the Festival
For those embarking on their first Feast Portland adventure, the sheer volume of events and activities can be exhilarating yet a little daunting. Thankfully, comprehensive resources like The Urban Bliss Life Guide to Feast Portland are available to help newcomers navigate this spectacular event. This dedicated guide provides invaluable insights and practical advice, including essential Tips for Feast Newbies, ensuring that first-time attendees can maximize their experience and avoid common pitfalls. It also offers detailed information about popular Main Events such as the vibrant Brunch Village and the expansive Grand Tasting, helping you plan your culinary itinerary effectively.
While the most highly anticipated events, particularly the Main Events and Dinner Series, often sell out almost immediately after tickets become available in the spring, there’s no need to despair. There are frequently still a few fantastic options open, especially if you’re looking for a more specialized or intimate experience. We highly recommend exploring the many **Fun Size Events**. These smaller, more focused gatherings provide a unique and often more accessible way to engage with the festival’s incredible talent and diverse culinary offerings, proving that some of the best experiences come in “fun sizes.”
Deep Dive into Feast Portland’s Fun Size Events
The **Fun Size Events** are truly special, offering a delightful contrast to the larger main gatherings. They are inherently more intimate, more focused, and scaled down, creating an environment where attendees can deeply engage with specific culinary themes and unique experiences. Although the specific focus and participating vendors for these events gracefully change each year, a consistent thread of amazing food, expertly crafted drinks, engaging music, or other lively entertainment, and of course, an abundance of FUN (it’s in the name!) can always be expected. These events allow for a more personal connection with the chefs and artisans, fostering an environment of discovery and appreciation for specialized culinary arts.
My attendance at the “Peace, Love, and Cocktails” Fun Size Event last year vividly illustrates the captivating spirit of these gatherings. It was an absolute blast – a vibrant fusion of innovative mixology, delectable bites, and an infectious atmosphere of enjoyment. The photographs accompanying this post are all drawn from that memorable Feast Portland 2016 event, perfectly capturing the energy, creativity, and sheer delight that permeates these smaller, more focused culinary adventures. They truly showcase the unique charm and intimate experience that “Fun Size” events consistently deliver.
For Feast Portland 2017, some of the highly anticipated Fun Size Events, such as “Vegetables: A Love Story,” “The Late Late Show: Adventures in Takeout,” and the star-studded “Franklin Barbecue & Family,” quickly reached sold-out status, underscoring their immense popularity. However, for those still eager to secure a spot in this extraordinary culinary festival, a few excellent options remained available as of Thursday, September 7th, at 10 AM. These remaining tickets represent a golden opportunity to experience the unique charm and culinary brilliance of Feast Portland’s more intimate offerings.
Spotlight on Available Fun Size Events: Feast Portland 2017
One such enticing option is **Because Breakfast**, scheduled for Sunday, September 17th, with tickets priced at $75. This event is a dream for breakfast enthusiasts, promising an exceptionally Instagram-ready collection of small pastries, delicate crêpes, delightful breakfast goodies, artisanal donuts, imaginative morning cocktails, and inspiring riffs on coffee drinks. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to indulge in handcrafted creations from celebrated pastry chefs like Clare Gordon (General Porpoise Donuts, Seattle), Kim Boyce (Bakeshop, PDX), Jehnee Rains (Suzette, PDX), and Michael Scelfo (Waypoint, Boston). Complementing these culinary delights are refreshing libations from Tea Bar, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Gruet, and several other esteemed providers, ensuring a memorable start to your Sunday with an array of breakfast luxuries.
Another fantastic choice is **Pizzas & Burgers**, also taking place on Sunday, September 17th, from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and hosted at the popular Pizza Jerk. This lively event will feature a dynamic live DJ, setting the perfect ambiance for an evening of casual gourmet dining. Guests can look forward to savoring delicious pizzas prepared fresh from a mobile pizza oven, alongside mouth-watering burgers and a selection of perfectly paired, pepperoni-friendly beverages. The venue encourages a relaxed experience, allowing attendees to stroll among the raised garden beds and enjoy the end of a weekend filled with culinary exploration, concluding it with two quintessential American dishes. The event gathers an impressive lineup of culinary minds, including Tommy Habetz (Pizza Jerk, PDX), Sarah Minnick (Lovely’s Fifty Fifty, PDX), John Gorham (Bless Your Heart Burgers, PDX), and Luke Zembo (Slow Bar, PDX). Refreshing drinks will be provided by Portland Sangria and Running Man Distributing, promising a laid-back yet incredibly flavorful experience.
The Heart of Feast Portland: A Commitment to Giving Back
Feast Portland is far more than just an epicurean festival; it’s deeply rooted in a powerful mission of philanthropy and community support. Since its inception in 2012, this impactful event has generated over $300,000, dedicating these significant funds to the critical cause of ending childhood hunger not only within Oregon but also across the entire country. This year, Feast Portland proudly reinforces its commitment to social responsibility by partnering with **Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon (PHFO)** as its chosen charitable beneficiary. This collaboration highlights the festival’s belief that while we celebrate and indulge in world-class cuisine, it is equally important to address food insecurity and ensure that the joy of food is accessible to all. By participating in Feast Portland, attendees not only treat themselves to an unforgettable culinary journey but also contribute directly to a cause that creates a tangible and positive difference in the lives of vulnerable children.
Planning Your Ultimate Feast Portland Experience
To truly savor every moment of Feast Portland, a bit of strategic planning goes a long way. While tickets for many of the highly anticipated events, such as the Grand Tasting and the Dinner Series, tend to sell out quickly, it’s always advisable to keep a close watch on the official website for any last-minute releases or newly added Fun Size Events. When attending, prioritize comfort; opting for comfortable footwear is essential, as you’ll likely be doing a fair amount of walking and standing. Staying hydrated is also crucial, especially with the abundance of delicious libations available; interspersing alcoholic beverages with water will help ensure you can fully enjoy the entire festival. Given the downtown Portland setting during such a major event, utilizing public transportation or ride-sharing services is highly recommended to avoid parking challenges and ensure a stress-free experience.
Beyond the incredible food and drink, one of the most enriching aspects of Feast Portland is the opportunity to engage with the talented chefs, artisans, and fellow food enthusiasts. Don’t hesitate to strike up conversations, ask questions about their craft, and share your own culinary passions. The festival fosters a vibrant, communal atmosphere where food transcends mere sustenance, becoming a universal language that connects people from all walks of life. Embrace the chance to discover new flavors, ingredients, and innovative techniques, and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the unparalleled gastronomic energy that defines this premier culinary event.
Ready to Embark on Your Feast Portland Culinary Adventure?
Are you prepared to immerse yourself in the unparalleled culinary landscape of Feast Portland? With a select number of exciting Fun Size Events still available, now is the perfect time to secure your tickets and ensure your participation in this extraordinary festival. These remaining opportunities are sure to be snatched up quickly, so prompt action is highly recommended! For the most current and comprehensive details regarding the full schedule of events, a complete list of all participating vendors, and to purchase your tickets, be sure to visit the official website at www.FeastPortland.com. We eagerly anticipate seeing you there, ready to savor every exquisite moment and create lasting culinary memories!
Will you be joining the vibrant Feast Portland 2017 celebration? Which of these delectable events piques your interest the most and why? Share your thoughts and excitement in the comments below!
As a dedicated Feast Portland blogger, I was provided with a complimentary pass to cover the festival. In addition, I personally purchased tickets to the “Peace, Love, and Cocktails” Fun Size Event, which is beautifully captured in the photographs featured throughout this post. Please be assured that all opinions expressed and images presented are entirely my own, reflecting an authentic and independent perspective on this magnificent culinary experience. See you at Feast, my fellow food and drink loving friends!