Euphoria started in 2006 by singer/songwriter Edwin McCain and restaurateur Carl Sobocinski (you’ll recognize his name from Soby’s, as the founder of Table 301) as a way to bring people together through multi-course dinners, live music, and (of course) wine.
Their mission is to highlight the Culinary and Arts Community of Upstate South Carolina while raising money to give back to the community that has helped the restaurant industry thrive in our area. Since 2006, they’ve distributed more than $295,000 in cash + in-kind donations through their grant program, Local Boys Do Good.
With 20+ events, you’ll need a road map to plan your wining + dining marathon.
You should start by taking off work next Friday – especially if you plan to attend any of these Thursday night events, including the Kick-Off party present by GSP International Airport. 13 chefs and restaurants, craft brews, spirits and wines, + music, all representing our beautiful little city.
Family Roots: Dinner at Grits & Groceries | 2440 Due West Hwy Belton, SC | Thursday | 7 p.m. | Go for the food with guest Chef Kevin Belton of New Orleans, stay for the wines from Schug Winery (featuring Axel Schug) and music from Grits & Groceries house musicians, the Docheno Band.
Songwriter’s Recipe | Thursday | 7 – 10 p.m. | A “behind the scenes” event featuring legendary songwriters Tim Nichols, Lee Thomas Miller and Deric Ruttan and the stories behind the songs. Country music lovers will recognize hits from Chris Stapleton, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, and more. 🎤 Get there during cocktail hour for bites from current and past South Carolina Chef Ambassadors along with Good Life Catering and Performance Food Service.
Taste of the Trail: Swamp Rabbit Ride and Lunch | Friday | 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy some fresh air and a bike ride down the Swamp Rabbit Trail to Traveler’s Rest Farmer’s Market Pavilion for a delicious lunch prepared by Coastal Crust food truck and other local faves. 🚴🏾 You’ll have plenty of time to get to your home/hotel/AirBnB to shower before the night’s activities begin.
Taste of the South | Friday | 6:30 – 10 p.m. Ladies, wear your Lilly dresses and men, make sure your bow ties are straight for Taste of the South: an evening featuring 17 Chefs from Virginia to Florida who will create + show off their own versions of Southern cooking. Relax with a signature cocktail or craft beer along the Reedy River with live music from Kakalacki Jones and Greenville’s own, Edwin McCain.
Saturday morning, stop by Southern Pressed Juicery for a light breakfast (y’know, to prepare for the day) then go for a walk downtown and do some shopping before the first event of the day.
Feast by the Field | Saturday | 12 – 4 p.m. | See the West End transformed into an open-air Craft Beer Garden with multiple Culinary Demo Stages, and a Grand Wine Tasting. This event has unlimited samplings of delicious food and 60+ breweries, wineries, distilleries, local restaurants and gives guests the opportunity to chat with regional chefs.
There are also smaller euphoria classrooms throughout the afternoon on Saturday. A couple of them overlap so choose wisely. 😊
- On ‘Cue | 1 – 2 p.m. | Dan Gentile (writer for Thrillist, Food Network & Munchies) talks BBQ.
- Something to Wine About – Tour Italy in 6 Glasses | 1 – 2 p.m. | Taste some of TV personality, award-winning author and sommelier, Laurie Forster’s favorite wines from the North to the South of Italy. 🍷
- Sweet Dreams Are Made of These – Liqueur & Chocolate Pairings | 3 – 4 p.m. | Do we even need to say any more? 🍫
- Something to Wine About – Old World vs. New World | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Challenge your taste buds in a blind taste test wines from the United State and Europe.
Big Easy Bash | Saturday | 7 – 10 p.m. | This NOLA-inspired event is new to the lineup this year, featuring 10 talented chefs from Greenville, New Orleans and more, two food trucks and a dessert cart. Plenty of txotx (Spanish cider), craft beer + cocktails, French Rose will keep this N’awlins-style party in the park going along with music from a traditional New Orleans-style jazz band. Pro tip: The all-inclusive ticket gives you access a pop up jazz lounge complete with NOLA-themed bites, cocktails, beer, and wine + music from the Soda City Brass Band and a second line parade, all hosted by New Orleans native David Guas.
You can go two ways with dinner: meaty or meatless. (Well there are other dinner options but these are some of them…)
Dig In: An Organic, Plant-based Dinner with SPJ | Saturday | 7 p.m. | Chef Xavier Bonnafous from Greenville’s Southern Pressed Juicery and Michael Harvey of Low Country Bistro Charleston create a plant-based dinner paired with sustainable wines and cocktails made with organic pressed juices.
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner at the Commerce Club | Saturday | 6:30 p.m. Enjoy champagne, chicken, and panoramic views from the top the One Liberty Square building while nationally-renowned pianist, Emile Pandolfi plays in the background. Pro tip: Get there on time to toast a glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne during the sunset at cocktail hour.
Southern Grown: A Dinner with Bacon Bros. Public House | Saturday | 7 p.m. Local ingredients, beer (from Quest Brewery) & beats (from Darby Wilcox)? Throw in award-winning wines by Kenwood Vineyards and count us in! Meat lovers will be in hog heaven when Chef Anthony Gray of Bacon Bros. Public House gets together with Shawn Kelly (of the soon-to-open Fork & Plough in Greenville) and guest chefs, Edgar Pendley & Blake Hartwick.
An Upstate Pairing: Dinner at Stella’s Southern Brasserie | Saturday | 7 p.m. | Take flight as Spartanburg native, Chef Hamilton Johnson of Honeysuckle in D.C., joins the Chefs of Stella’s for an unforgettable evening of southern foods paired with northern Italian wines.
Sunday brunch is an absolute staple in the South. So is BBQ.
Sunday Brunch: Fired Up! | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. This family friendly event in the West End highlights 8 pit masters but if BBQ isn’t your thing, choose from traditional brunch dishes from 10 local and regional restaurants. Of course, brunch is just breakfast without Bloody Marys and mimosas so grab one of each and dance to live music from Crooked Pine.
Bring the kids to the Culinary Stage on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. for the “Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown” presented by LiveWell Greenville. Four finalists, ages 8-17, will compete to have their recipe added to the Greenville County Schools lunch menu. David Guas, a former co-judge on Food Network’s Chopped Jr. and Chef/Owner of Bayou Bakery, will emcee the competition.
Greenville has been recognized for its growing foodie culture a lot lately for good reason. But it can be a challenge (even for locals) to get around to trying all the different restaurants around our area. Euphoria is the perfect opportunity for visitors + locals to come together and enjoy new and old favorites of Southern cuisine and cocktails.
If you haven’t already, get tickets here.
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