International Biscuit Festival Rises on May 27-28, 2011
KNOXVILLE -- Market Square will come alive when it celebrates one of America's favorite foods – the Biscuit. The International Biscuit Festival combines food, fun and entertainment to create a unique destination event in downtown Knoxville.
This year's festival will be held on May 27-28.
Hosted by Blackberry Farm a big addition to this year's festival is the Biscuit Benefit Dinner with featured guest chef Michelle Bernstein from Miami. The dinner will be held on Friday, May 27th at 7 pm with proceeds benefitting Share Our Strength, a national charity working to eliminate childhood hunger, as well as local partner Second Harvest.
"We are thrilled to add this Benefit to the Biscuit Festival," said John Craig, Biscuit Boss. Michelle is recognized as one of the country's finest chefs, and she brings a splash of international flair to the Festival. This is a meal you do not want to miss!"
Hardee's will start the day off on Saturday with the Biscuit Breakfast. A big Biscuit buffet will be provided by Hardee's and top caterers from around the region.
A Biscuit Bazaar vendor area opens early to showcase Biscuit-friendly wares, including jams, jellies, honey, sorghum, aprons, kitchenware, artwork and cookbooks. The Bazaar will fill two blocks of Clinch Avenue.
If you have an appetite, Biscuit Boulevard will feature a tasting area with more than twenty restaurants and Biscuit bakers sharing their Signature Biscuits. Tickets can be purchased for $5.00 which allows you to sample up to five different Biscuit creations. Biscuits can also be purchased directly from participating vendors.
The main event in the afternoon is the Biscuit Bake Off, presented by Lodge Cast Iron. Contestants selected from a nationwide application process will compete on the Southern Biscuit Flour Stage in four categories: Traditional Biscuits, Dessert Biscuits, Most Creative Biscuit, and Kids' Biscuits.
The category for young Biscuit bakers is a new addition for this year's festival. "We want to encourage the next generation of Biscuit makers to create the Biscuits of tomorrow," said Chris Kahn, co-chair of this year's Bake Off competition.
Music also plays a part in the Biscuit Festival. This year's lineup starts with the Pre-Heat show on Thursday night, May 26th, with YouTube sensations The Cleverlys warming up The Square Room with their quirky mix of musical talent and tongue-in-cheek humor. The weekend wraps up with The Black Lillies and Tift Merritt at the Bijou on Saturday, May 28th.
For more information about the International Biscuit Festival, go to www.Biscuitfest.com.
Published May 3, 2011