Fork and Cork 2014

Decadent. Gourmet. Bon Vivant. All words synonymous with this past weekend’s two day affair Fork and Cork. Held at Addison’s Circle Park, the first annual “celebration of taste” took the place of Taste of Addison. Different, you betcha. Fork and Cork kept it kiddo free with the 21 and up crowd, catering to the luxury of food and spirits.

Very awesome sign at Z Taverna Grill and Wine Bar and lettuce cups with szechuan chicken
Very awesome sign at Z Taverna Grill and Wine Bar and lettuce cups with szechuan
chicken
Amazing Mexican Corn from Z Taverna.
Amazing Mexican Corn from Z Taverna.

Upon entry gourmet goers were given a fancy pamphlet of activities, a ticket to the Grand Tasting Area, and a redeemable $50 coupon that turned out to be two $25 gift certificates to Chamberlains. Not too shabby. Food samples were $2 to $5 each. Some of my favorites included Taste of Cuba’s Havana Special, a crispy fried edible bowl stuffed with nicely done pulled pork, creamy black beans and semi spicy salsa. Just enough to gobble down in two bites. Vernon’s Gastropub’s 50/50 sliders left me speechless. Half applewood smoked bacon, half top sirloin on fresh brioche buns and house au jus for dipping. Yes to all that. I’d be remise if I didn’t mention the fantastic Mexican Corn created by Z Taverna Grill & Wine Bar. Similar to elotes only 100% better. Fresh sweet corn is roasted, removed from the cob and combined with cilantro, mayo, feta cheese and a few other spices. No doubt I could have devoured five of those little snow cone cups of corn had my belly allowed for such behavior.

Yummy to the tummy Mexican Vanilla ice cream from Henry's Homemade Ice Cream
Yummy to the tummy Mexican Vanilla ice cream from Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream
Havana Special and plantains from Taste of Cuba
Havana Special and plantains from Taste of Cuba
Chamberlains serving up some succulent steak
Chamberlains serving up some succulent steak

For those who wanted to learn more about cuisine and spirits there were several cooking and tasting demos including a craft beer seminar, bread making, and a tequila class tasting. Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson and legendary musician Pat Green were both major attractions during the festivities. Fork and Cork offered up a few delectable foodie freebies from several guest restaurants and chefs. Abacus served an amazing ginger soy glazed steamed bun topped with green mango slaw. Casa Rubia gave life to smoked strawberry gazpacho, while Belly & Trumpet put a tasty twist on chicken satay.

The very wonderful 50/50 from Vernon's Gastropub
The very wonderful 50/50 from Vernon’s Gastropub
Tasty spin on Chicken Satay by Belly and Trumpet.
Tasty spin on Chicken Satay by Belly and Trumpet.
Chopping it up with Addison Ice House.
Chopping it up with Addison Ice House.

Gourmet grub is good, but of course booze makes it that much better. The Grand Tasting Area gave visitors a chance to sample quite a few alcoholic beverages. Herradura Tequila, Don Julio Tequila, Texas based Tito’s Vodka, and Kruto Vodka were some of the heavy hitters. Of course there was plenty of Dos Equis to go around and one very special Crème Brulee brew by Southern Tier that smelled and tasted every bit like the French dessert.

 

Interesting Creme Brulee beer and the very giddy dude holding it.
Interesting Creme Brulee beer and the very giddy dude holding it.

In the end all the upscale tastes, music, super adult friendly environment and cooking education were well worth it. Though Fork and Cork pulled on the purse strings a little more than Taste of Addison you still got darn good bang for your buck. Fork and Cork offers visitors more than a tasting, but an experience. And those two $25 gift certificates didn’t hurt a bit. TXMB