I attended BayHaven with a free media cross. As well as, I used to be paid an honorarium for talking on a panel on the competition in 2022. I’ve additionally spent my very own cash to journey to the competition and keep in Charlotte for each years of the competition. This submit comprises *affiliate* hyperlinks, which signifies that I could obtain commissions for purchases made by these hyperlinks. I solely present hyperlinks to merchandise that I take advantage of and wholeheartedly advocate.
After attending this unbelievable Black meals and wine competition for 2 years in a row, I can safely say that I’ve added it to my calendar as a MUST yearly. The 2023 BayHaven Meals and Wine Competition will happen from October 4-8 and I am already planning my go to.
The multi-day competition showcases unbelievable Black expertise and types from across the nation and attendees can actually curate the expertise they need relying on which occasions they attend.
The total schedule for 2023 isn’t up but, however I will go into my earlier experiences there to present you a way of what to anticipate! So in the event you’re interested by BayHaven, whether or not it is for you, and find out how to get tickets, I obtained you.
Additionally, BayHaven is held in Charlotte, North Carolina. There’s an entire lot of Black expertise in Charlotte outdoors of the competition. So in the event you do attend and need to flip it right into a weekend or longer of exploring all-Black every part within the space, you are able to do that.
Hold studying beneath for all the main points, together with some options for different Black-owned eating places to go to when you’re in Charlotte!
What Is The BayHaven Meals & Wine Competition?
The BayHaven Meals & Wine Competition is an almost week-long competition held in Charlotte, NC. BayHaven focuses on elevating and offering alternatives to Black meals and beverage professionals and types.
Based in 2021 by Gregory and Subrina Collier, the dynamic duo behind BayHaven Restaurant Group and award-winning ideas resembling Leah & Louise, BayHaven Meals & Wine Competition is Black-founded and Black-centric.
Competition occasions vary from informal to extra formal events, with a little bit of one thing for everybody. Whereas occasions change yearly, the 2022 competition included the beneath and a lot extra!
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A farm dinner held at Nebedye Farms, a Black-owned farm in Charlotte.
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A half-day symposium held at Johnson & Wales College, overlaying every part from Black meals media to Black restaurant possession.
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A six-course plated dinner that includes all-female expertise led by chef Zoe Adjonyoh, writer of “Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen.”
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A homecoming gala the place a wide selection of cooks showcased their craft and attendees had a second to decorate up.
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A tasting tent occasion with greater than 75 cooks, mixologists, caterers, and extra showcased. There have been so many cubicles on the tasting tent occasion that individuals STRUGGLED to strive all of them.
The place And When Is The Occasion Held?
The BayHaven Meals & Wine Competition has been held in October in Charlotte, NC two years in a row. Occasions are unfold all through quite a few areas in Charlotte, together with plenty of occasions hosted at Camp North Finish, a 76-acre historic website that’s now dwelling to a number of companies, eating places, and artistic ventures.
Competition occasions are usually held in areas central to the town. That makes it handy to additionally spend a while exploring Charlotte when you’re on the town for BayHaven. Hold studying beneath for Black-owned eating places you can even take a look at when you’re there!
How A lot Does It Price And Who All Gon’ Be There?
For the BayHaven Meals & Wine Competition, you should buy tickets for particular person occasions or buy packages that embody entry to particular occasions. In 2022, tickets for among the much less formal occasions such because the tailgate social gathering or the tasting tents ranged from $115-$150. Tickets for extra formal occasions just like the gala and plated dinners diversified from $275-$315.
BayHaven presents a menu of actions and also you get to decide on based mostly in your pursuits and finances. And on that menu, there’s a powerful roster of expertise as effectively.
A sampling of the meals and beverage professionals taking part in BayHaven in 2022 included Tiffany Williams, Adrian Lipscombe, BJ Dennis, Zoe Adjonyoh, Keith Rhodes, Greg Collier, Ricky Moore, and so many extra individuals! The competition attracts expertise from throughout the nation, so it is a terrific alternative to pattern individuals’s work, strive new manufacturers, and see what unbelievable Black meals of us are as much as from coast to coast.
I’ve additionally been requested quite a few occasions about whether or not you need to be within the meals trade to attend, and the reply is certainly not! BayHaven is open to the general public and so lots of the attendees that I met simply needed to take pleasure in some good meals and let unfastened.
Let’s Get Into The Meals Although
The meals and beverage choices on the BayHaven Meals & Wine Competition, right down to the craft cocktails accessible at occasions, have been excellent. Count on every occasion to depart you very full, with artistic dishes that draw on a variety of influences from everywhere in the world. You will get fancy bites, consolation meals, bubbly, spirit-forward sips, and every part in between.
I used to be additionally so glad to see that in 2022 every occasion contained extra vegetarian and vegan choices than the yr earlier than. As well as, the 2022 competition included a whole vegan and vegetarian plated dinner. I might look to future schedules to see if that pattern continues.
How Can I Get Tickets To The BayHaven Meals & Wine Competition?
Tickets usually go on sale three to 4 months prematurely of the competition. One of the simplest ways to remain updated on the competition, tickets, and extra, is to go to the BayHaven web site and subscribe to the e-mail checklist there. That manner you may be notified when ticket gross sales start!
What About Different Black-Owned Eating places In Charlotte?
As BayHaven is held in Charlotte, NC, you possibly can positively take a look at another native Black-owned companies when you’re within the metropolis! Beneath are just a few suggestions that I personally loved and some despatched to me by pals!
Archive: Try this Black-woman-owned e-book cafe for espresso, treats, and to seize just a few new reads!
Chicken Pizzeria: Order forward at this informal pizza spot! Their crust is excellent and there are vegan choices accessible.
The Pauline Tea Bar: Head to Pauline’s for a second to loosen up, step away, and revel in a pot of tea from the wide variety accessible.
What The Fries: I’ve solely had What The Fries in the course of the BayHaven competition, however I can see why they’ve such a following. They do have a standalone restaurant in Charlotte as effectively so you should definitely get your consolation meals on at this informal spot that cuts its fries recent and makes its sauces in-house.
Leah & Louise: So traditionally this award-winning spot has not been open in the course of the BayHaven competition, because the staff is deeply concerned in operating the competition. However in the event you’re in Charlotte just a few days early, keep after the competition, or simply occur to return to city I can not advocate this place sufficient. For my part, Leah & Louise is without doubt one of the finest Black-owned eating places within the USA and considered one of my favourite eating places within the nation interval.
Have any questions in regards to the BayHaven Meals & Wine Competition? Be at liberty to ask them within the feedback. And let me know in the event you’re planning on attending. I might like to see you there!
