You're busy people. Let us plan your weekend for you. Happy eating!
TODAY
What: BBQ ribs, pulled pork, tri-tip, sausages. And maybe some Handi Wipes. The four-day BBQ extravaganza pits national master grillers against each other–and you get to be the lucky judges.
When: Thurs., 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. 11-9 p.m.
Where: Fountain Valley Sports Park, Fountain Valley. See map.
Cost: $5 for general admission (includes a $2 coupon good toward a sampler plate) or $100 for an all-you-can-eat-and-drink feast and priority seating. Any business card will get free admission today and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.
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What: Food trucks (The Burnt Truck, Dogzilla Hot Dogs, Fishlips Sushi and Long Boards) + a screening of The Social Network. Summer, please don't leave us.
When: Thurs., 6 p.m. Movie starts at sundown.
Where: Central Park West Amphitheater, 20 Gramercy, Irvine.
Cost: Free admission. Bring cash for food trucks.
FRIDAY
What: Lots of food trucks, including Bakery Truck, Barcelona On The Go, Chomp Chomp Nation and The Lime Truck, with all trucks donating to Make-A-Wish OCIE.
When: Fri., 5-9 p.m.
Where: Best Buy Fullerton, 120 E Imperial Highway, Fullerton.
Cost: Free admission. Bring cash for food trucks.
SATURDAY
What: Beer fans, go at it! A ticket gets you unlimited tastes of more than 100 beers from 50 local and international breweries, from San Pedro Brewing Co. to Sam Adams, along with free food samples. Clear your afternoon–and your evening for recovery.
When: Sat. Box office opens at 11 a.m. VIP tasting sampling, noon- 4 p.m.; general sampling, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Lighthouse Park, Long Beach.
Cost: Online through Friday: $40 for general ($45 at the door); $50 for VIP ($55 at the door); $15 for designated driver. Get $5 off general admission with the online code: OCWEEKLY.
What: A sweetsapalooza featuring local bakeries and dessert shops, including Batch From Scratch, Delicious Gourmet Cupcakes, Dough-a-Deer, Doll Face Desserts and Lil Cupcakery. Event features live painting artists and cool beats by The Love Connection.
When: Sat., 7:30-11:30 p.m.
Where: SOCO, Costa Mesa.
Cost: $10 donation for three dessert tastings. Proceeds benefit The Peace Project's Operation Rise Initiative, an endeavor to distribute crutches and other prosthetic devices to amputees in Sierra Leone.
SUNDAY
What: Chef James Harris of The Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach will take on defending champion Chef Nicola Bellazzi of Enne Cucina Italiana in San Clemente in a dramatic Iron Chef-style kitchen battle. This week's base ingredients are shrimp, mushrooms and brown bread. The mystery ingredient will be revealed at the showdown.
When: Sun., 6 p.m.
Where: The Standard of Excellence Showroom, Huntington Beach.
Cost: $50 for general seating, $80 for VIP front row seating. Includes food and wine.
Got a food event? E-mail Michelle at mw**@oc******.com with the details!
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