7 Outer Banks Taste of the Beach 2017 Events Not To Miss

Posted By Matt Artz on March 23, 2017

The 2017 Outer Banks Taste of the Beach kicked off today, with literally dozens of delicious events on the menu at numerous participating local restaurants for four days, running from Thursday, March 23 through this Sunday, March 26. 

In order to you help decide how best to use your time (and stomach space), we have compiled a list of the top seven one-time-only events that you don’t want to miss this weekend.

Read on for our top seven most mouth watering event picks of the 2017 Outer Banks Taste of the Beach!

BBQ and Wings Showdown – Friday, March 24, 12-3pm, Soundside Event Site

Enjoy tasting and voting for your favorite Outer Banks BBQ and Wings  from 16 of the areas best eateries! From traditional pulled pork and tender fall-off-the-bone ribs, to delicious saucy hot chicken wings! There is something for every carnivore at this 5th annual Taste of the Beach cornerstone event.

Presented to you with the support of Joe lamb Jr. & Associates and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, the event is newly located at The Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, which will provide a great outdoor (tented) park-like experience for up to 750 attendees AND allow onsite parking. There will be great live music too and an opportunity to check out some cool trucks and cars from OBX Chevrolet. Joe Lamb Jr. booth will feature fun games and giveaways.

Your ticket price gets you an all you can eat experience of bbq, ribs, and chicken wings, and of course the right to cast your vote for the BEST OUTER BANKS BBQ of all!  NEW this year, we will have a beer garden where you can enjoy a variety of local and NC craft beers along with a selection of wines. Pepsi products will also be provided for your refreshment.  This is INCLUDED in your ticket price this year!

At the door tickets will likely be available but at $35 per. We encourage you to buy your tickets in advance to attend.  To pay at the door, cash is best. If you will need to use a credit card to pay at the door then you can through the Taste of the Beach website but you will incur a 3% checkout fee to do so.

Although there will be tenting, this is an outdoor event. Please check the weather and dress accordingly. This is a stand-up walk around event with no seating.  Smart tip…bring a camping chair or picnic blanket because there’s plenty of grass and space to set up.

Jonny Waters & Co will be back to provide awesome music!  Jonny’s appearance has become a tradition as he and his mates play a great mix of classic rock and country favorites, with a little bit of sand in your toes vibe.  We are excited to have Jonny back again for our 5th annual event and his fourth appearance. Worth the ticket price alone! Don’t miss it folks.

Enjoy our selection of NC Craft beers from:

Deep River Brewing Co.

Hi-Wire Brewing

New Belgium Brewing

Devils Backbone Brewing Company

Micro Micro Beer Fest – Friday, March 24, 3-5pm, Outer Banks Brewing Station

Small in scale but large on flavors! This is the Brewer’s reserve time when we break out what we have ferreted away for the winter, uncork some experiments, and add to it our regular list of brews so that there is something for every type of palate!

This event takes place on Friday during the day. A great way to start your Taste of the Beach evening plans with a little beer time first.

An Evening of Eastern North Carolina Cuisine – Friday, March 24, 6-9pm, Kelly’s

Join Kelly’s Restaurant for a multi-course exquisite dinner featuring local Dare and Currituck County farm (and sea) to fork ingredients with (optional) drink pairing at each course.

MENU:

FIRST COURSE: Choice of

COLINGTON SOFT CRAB FRIED GOLDEN BROWN ON A BED OF HOT CAROLINA SLAW SERVED WITH JALAPEÑO TARTER
OR
SLOW ROASTED, THEN CRISP FRIED CYPRESS SWAMP FARMS PORK BELLY BITES TOSSED IN A TANGY SWEET CAROLINA BBQ AND SERVED ON A BED OF HOT CAROLINA SLAW

PAIRED WITH: OUTER BANKS BREWED WHEAT BEER FLAVORED WITH LEMON GRASS

SECOND COURSE: Choice of

OYSTER STEW
PAMLICO SOUND BIVALVES IN A RICH CREAMY BROTH
OR
HAM & LIMA BEAN SOUP
CYPRESS SWAMP FARMS HAMBONES LONG SIMMERED WITH TYRREL LEGUMES

PAIRED WITH: SANCTUARY VINEYARDS ALBARIÑO ‘THE PEARL’- ITALIAN WHITE GRAPES HARVESTED AND BOTTLED IN LOWER CURRITUCK COUNTY

THIRD COURSE:

FIELD GREEN SALAD WITH SEARED PEARS, ONIONS, CROUTONS, AND GARDEN VEGGIES TOSSED IN A SMOKED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE SERVED WITH A CAVIAR DUSTED DEVILED EGG

PAIRED WITH:SHELTON CHARDONNAY- UNOAKED, CRISP AND LIGHT. A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHARDONNAY

FOURTH COURSE: Choice of

SLICED CYPRESS SWAMP FARMS PORK TENDERLOIN TOPPED WITH DIJON CREAM SERVED WITH LOCAL COLLARDS AND A BAKED CINNAMON BUTTER WEEKSVILLE SWEET POTATO

OR

PAN SEARED ROCKFISH OVER A COLLARD, TURNIP, AND POTATO HASH WITH PANCETTA BACON AND A SMOKED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

PAIRED WITH: SANCTUARY COASTAL COLLAGE. A BLEND OF REGIONAL NORTH CAROLINA RED WINES

DESSERT COURSE: Choice of

SWEET POTATO CRÈME BRÛLÉE
OR
BOURBON CHOCOLATE CHIP PECAN PIE

BOTH DESSERTS ARE PREPARED IN HOUSE

PAIRED WITH: SANCTUARY SWEET SERENITY – AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF MUSCADINE WINE. THE MOTHER VINE IN NORTH AMERICA IS LOCATED IN MANTEO

This is a rolling arrival time. You can arrive at Kelly’s anytime from 6pm to 8:30pm to begin enjoying your meal.

Hipster and Gravy Brunch – Saturday, March 25, 11am-2pm, Outer Banks Brewing Station

Welcome to the new cool trendy South! Choose one of four creative and delicious twists on the Southern classic biscuits & gravy – or choose a small plate size flight of three if you are feeling more adventurous.  Either way you get to pair it with your choice of one of our Craft Mimosas or Bloody Mary’s.  A great deal for those intrepid culinary explorers who still enjoy a bit of down home comfort food.

This event is a rolling start time so you can come in anytime between 11am and 2pm on Saturday to enjoy your brunch.

Bloody Mary Bash – Saturday, March 25, 1-4pm, Jolly Roger

When it comes to Bloody Mary’s, Jolly Roger stands out,and on Saturday they host the Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bash.

Craft your own amazing cocktail, starting with our signature Jolly Roger Bloody Mary Mix. An assortment of garnishes galore such as, Bacon, Skewered Pickled Veggies, Shrimp, Stuffed Olives, Variety of Hot Sauces, and much more will be available to personalize your imaginative Bloody Mary cocktail.

Included, with your ticket, samples of our award winning Wings and Ribs to pair with your Bloody Mary creation, as you eat, drink, and be Jolly.

Plethora of Pies – Saturday, March 25, 6-9pm, Kelly’s

The first pies were made by early Romans who may have learned about it through the Greeks. The Romans must have spread the word about pies around Europe as the Oxford English Dictionary notes that the word pie was a popular word in the 14th century. The first pie recipe was published by the Romans and was for a rye-crusted goat cheese and honey pie.

Pie came to America with the first English settlers. Over the years, pie has evolved to become what it is today “the most traditional American dessert”. Pie has become so much a part of American culture throughout the years, that we now commonly use the term “as American as apple pie.”

The ever versatile PIE! Meat, vegetable, seafood and of course, dessert pies. A whimsical taste and a wonderful historic offering from Kelly’s Restaurant – exclusively for Taste of the Beach!

MENU:

DRINK COURSE (OPTIONAL, see ticket price options)
APPLE PIE MARTINI

FIRST COURSE CHOICE OF:
CRAB & ASPARAGUS PIE from Wanchese pots and Jarvisburg fields
OR
SPINACH & GRUYERE PIE from Poplar Branch plantings and Swiss original
OR
HAM & SHRIMP PIE from Cypress Swamp farms and Englehard trawlers

SECOND COURSE:
SOUTHERN PIE SALAD:
MIXED GREENS HIGHLIGHTED WITH PIE FAVORITES LIKE PECANS, LEMON, GOAT CHEESE WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE

THIRD COURSE CHOICE OF:
SHRIMP POT PIE
NORTH CAROLINA WHITE SHRIMP IN PUFF PASTRY WITH A SAVORY CREAM SAUCE
OR
BEEF SHOULDER TENDERLOIN WELLINGTON
SLICED SHOULDER TENDERLOIN AND A MUSHROOM PATE BAKED EN CROUTE WITH A PORT WINE DEMI
OR
SEAFOOD MEDITERRANEAN PIZZA PIE
SALMON, SHRIMP, AND CLAM MEDITERRANEAN. A SEAFOOD CHEESE AND VEGETABLE MIXTURE SERVED ON A FLAVORFUL FLATBREAD

FOURTH COURSE – DESSERT CHOICE OF:
CHOCOLATE CHIP PECAN PIE
OR
KEY LIME PIE
OR
MISSISSIPPI MUD PIE

This is a rolling arrival time. You can arrive at Kelly’s anytime from 6pm to 8:30pm to begin enjoying your meal.

Grand Tasting and Bartenders Bash – Sunday, March 26, 12-5pm, Port O’ Call

The Sysco Foods Taste of the Beach Chefs Grand Tasting & Bartenders Bubbly Bash, the grand finale event, on Sunday, March 26th will be the hottest ticket in town with 16 restaurants along with the best beverage vendors to give you a culinary experience of a lifetime. Join us at the Port O’ Call Restaurant in the heart of Kill Devil Hills and taste your way through the Outer Banks in one location! It’s how this event began over 30 years ago and it is still the event people rave about. Visit each restaurant booth and taste two or three samplings from each. Packed with many seafood and non-seafood choices, the cuisine at the Sysco Foods Chefs Grand Tasting is truly an experience to remember and the participating restaurants absolutely go all out to present their finest and most imaginative cuisine for your enjoyment, as well as impressing the judging panel in hopes to take home one of the prestigious TOB’y awards.

Along with your favorite restaurants, there will be outstanding local craft brew beers and fine wines offered! Enjoy the Bartenders Bubbly Bash (an event within the event) where local bartenders will be mixing up their signature sparkling wine cocktails for you to taste, enjoy, and vote on your favorites by way of cash tips. The cash tips collected will serve as your votes and all proceeds will be donated to the local Beach Food Pantry. Your ticket price includes all-you-care-to-taste beer, wine, bubbly cocktails, and of course amazing food. You will receive a souvenir champagne flute to use during the event and take home with you.

Restaurants will be competing for the 8th Annual TOB’y Awards; Best Booth Presentation, Best In Show, and the two most coveted awards, the Chefs Award and People’s Choice Award. These awards will be announced at the end of the second session, but all attendees will have the opportunity to cast their votes.

The event is split into 2 sessions this year. 1st Session will be from Noon to 2pm; and the 2nd Session will begin at 2:30 and run until 4:30, with the TOB’y Awards presentation after and running until about 5:00. The two large dining rooms will contain 18 showcased restaurants, while the Port O’ Call upper saloon deck will host the Bubbly Bash with about 10 different bubbly cocktails for you to taste and vote (by way of cash) for your favorite. There is some seating in the upper deck area.

Please note that this is a stand up/walk around event. There is very limited seating. If you are unable to stand for extended periods or not inclined to large groups, this is not a recommended event for you. If you have dietary restrictions, food allergies, or a picky palate, you might find that this is not a good event choice for you. Sorry, no discounts for non-alcoholic drinkers, but we will be happy to provide you with soft drinks or water.

This is strictly an adults only event 21+. Please no children or strollers.

Handicap accessibility and handicap parking available. Parking is limited so we encourage you to arrive in groups of two or more if at all possible. Overflow parking will be allowed across the street at Shutters hotel. Since this event involves the service of alcohol we strongly suggest that you consider taking a cab to and from. A $20 cab fare will usually get you just about anywhere and save you the risk of driving under the influence even if you feel capable of driving.

When this event sells out, it is truly SOLD OUT. Please do not email or call to obtain tickets. Ticketing changes or cancellation requests must be made 7 days in advance. Refunds will not be able to accommodated if you find that you cannot attend for whatever reason and cannot provide 96 (minimum) notice to cancel.

Which event are you most looking forward to? Tell us in the comments section below!

You can see the full schedule of events for the 2017 Outer Banks Taste of the Beach here.

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