Corks & Chefs: Food & Wine Tasting Event, 15th Annual

An explosion of flavors! This highly anticipated food and wine extravaganza, now in its 15th year (April 28-29, 1-4 p.m. each day), is the place where art, food and wine meet to create an explosion of sights, aromas, and flavors. It is a favorite destination and the only ticketed event at the BBVA Compass Magic City Art Connection contemporary art festival, which is held in downtown Birmingham's historic Linn Park on April 27-29, 2012. Corks & Chefs provides a tented environment for patrons to sample delicious cuisine from 24 of Birmingham's top restaurants and eateries, including members of the Birmingham Originals (a local chapter of CIRA - Council of Independent Restaurants of America). A sampling of the 2012 featured dishes include: Century Restaurant and Bar's jumbo lump crab cakes with arugula, roasted corn remoulade; John's City Diner's famous meatloaf over signature roasted corn grits with red wine mushroom gravy; Ocean's pickled bon secour shrimp, shaved red onion, turnips, micro greens, and dijon cocktail sauce; Twenty Six's spicy slow braised pork noodle bowl, shiitake mushrooms, crunchy slaw, wonton strips, rice noodles, natural pork jus; Culinard Café's lamb cupcake with wasabi mash and rhubarb chutney; or Avo & Dram's Parisian-style crepe stand with house made hazelnut-chocolate spread. Seven (7) different chefs are showcased each day. But that's not all. Corks & Chefs boasts a bounty of unique wines from around the world to sample. Plus, patrons can put their palates to the test and sit in on one of Corks & Chefs guided wine seminars lead hourly by knowledgeable experts. Or just grab a table on the Corks & Chefs patio with a great view of the festival and enjoy your mouth-watering plates to the soothing sounds of Corks & Chefs' featured music act. For more information or to order tickets: 205-595-6306, www.MagicCityArt.com.