Empty Bowls, Three Rivers Beer Week and other April food events
The official return of spring coincides with the return of some favorite annual food events.
Whether you’re looking to support a local charitable organization, drink a pint (or three) of locally brewed beer or celebrate all things Scottish, April brings lots of music, food and community events to satisfy a foodie’s cravings.
Empty Bowls
Since its inception in 1990 in Michigan, thousands of Empty Bowls dinners have been held across the globe, raising millions of dollars to feed the hungry. This year’s event at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Squirrel Hill on April 7 marks 27 years of local giving, with proceeds benefiting two groups that work tirelessly to provide nutritious food and meals to those in need: Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest.
Empty Bowls’ premise is simple: For a donation, diners receive a “meager meal” of soup, bread and water. They also get to select a handcrafted bowl donated by a local artist or school as a reminder of the many local families whose bowls are too often empty.
As in the past, the event will feature three seating times (1-3 p.m., 3:30-5:30 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.) along with a takeout option. All guests can also purchase additional soup to go. Tickets cost $25 in advance at pittsburghfoodbank.org or $30 at the door; children under age 3 are free. In addition to chef-created soups, hearty bread and other treats, admission includes a hand-crafted bowl.
Tartan Day
Pittsburgh is known for its many Italian and Eastern European immigrants. Yet the Scots-Irish were the first Europeans to settle in Southwestern Pennsylvania in large numbers. Tartan Day, which will be held April 6 at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Bethel Park, celebrates that heritage with Celtic music and dancers, workshops, vendors and raffles.
The event, which runs from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., will also feature traditional foods such as meat pie and shepherd’s pie, some made from family recipes.
Admission is free, but donations are welcome and go toward scholarships for students to study Scottish arts.
Tartan Day commemorates the signing of Scotland’s Declaration of Arbroath (Independence) on April 6, 1320. The U.S. Senate declared April 6 as National Tartan Day in 1998.
More info: standrewspittsburgh.org.
Three Rivers Beer Week
Pittsburgh is lucky to count dozens of breweries across the region, and the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild is pretty proud of their locally brewed ales, IPAs, saisons and other adult beverages. Three Rivers Beer Week, which runs from April 10-14, is a prime example.
In addition to some really great beer, the annual event features more than a dozen paid and free events led by its nearly 50 member breweries across Allegheny County — everything from beer and popcorn pairings to ice cream mixers to tap takeovers and brunch. It also includes a Lawrenceville Beer Crawl of six breweries from noon-10 p.m. on April 13.
More info: threeriversbeerweek.com.
Strawberry Jello Salad Festival
You’ve undoubtedly enjoyed Pittsburgh’s favorite strawberriesmeets-pretzels picnic dessert over the years. But other than grandma, who makes it best?
In honor of National Picnic Day on April 23, the YaJagoff! podcast will sponsor its third annual Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad Stand-Off with on-air talent from Q92.9 to provide the answer. Competitors include Cookie Cookie Ice Cream and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
The contest runs from 1:30-3 p.m. at The Block Northway in Ross, and visitors are invited to sample all of the entries and vote for their favorite to determine the People’s Choice award.
More info: yajagoff.com.
Dessert Wars
Are you a member of the “life is short, eat dessert first” tribe? Dozens of bakers will attempt to make you deliriously happy during Dessert Wars at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center from 3-7 p.m. April 27.
A celebration of the “foodie” lifestyle, the event will feature tickets that can be exchanged for a wide selection of desserts ranging from cupcakes and cookies to ice cream and doughnuts.
VIP tickets ($65) include 50 sample tickets, a go-box and a 3 p.m. entry. General admission tickets ($50) include 30 tickets, the same go-box and entry at 4 p.m. No tickets will be sold at the door.
More info: dessert-wars.com.
Plant-centered eating class
Interested in embracing plantbased eating habits? Plant-Based Pittsburgh will hold a “PlantCentered Eating Made Simple: Your Ticket to Health” summit on April 20.
The day-long event at Triveni Event Center in Monroeville will feature expert speakers, workshops, cooking demonstrations and food tastings. The $50 attendance fee also includes a welcome bag, breakfast, lunch and beverages.
It runs from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at 275 Center Road, Monroeville. Registration is open through April 5 at plantbasedpittsburgh.com.
The nonprofit is also hosting a Spring Potluck Dinner from 5:457:15 p.m. on April 9 at Murrysville Community Library and a free session on Food Prep Strategies from 6-7:15 p.m. on April 10 at Green Tree Public Library.
More info: plantbasedpittsburgh.com.
Barrel and Flow
You’ll have to wait through all of spring and most of summer, but America’s top brew fest — as voted by readers of USA Today — is making its proud return to the ’Burgh.
The 7th annual Barrel & Flow, Pittsburgh’s annual celebration of Black brewers, distillers and artists, will be held on Aug. 9-11 at The Stacks at 3 Crossings, 2875 Railroad St., Strip District.
VIP tickets cost $200 and include entrance to all three of the fest’s events: a Friday conference and bottle share, a Saturday beer festival, and a Sunday Brunch with brewers. General admission to just the beer fest from 5-9 p.m. Aug. 10 costs $50. Early entrance at 3 p.m. is offered for an additional $25. The Friday evening bottle share and Sunday brunch also can be purchased independently for $25.
More info: barrelandflow.com.