Foodie frenzy

Loose pants recommended

The organizers behind TBD Fest have erected four stages for live music, but there's also an important fifth stage—for chefs.

The Pit will host battles between Sacramento chefs every three hours in a wood-fired kitchen, equipped with a smoker and rotisserie. Attendees can sit back, enjoy the show, and if they’re one of the first 300 people to rush the stage, taste the results.

“Right now, some of the rock stars are in food, craft cocktails, beer, wine—that’s what makes this region really unique,” TBD Fest’s Clay Nutting says.

Some of those stars include Michael Tuohy (LowBrau, Block Butcher Bar), Brian Mizner (Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co.), Michael Thiemann and Matt Masera (Mother), Oliver Ridgeway (Grange Restaurant & Bar) and Michael Fagnoni (Hawks). Ultimately, the audience will vote for the trophy-winner.

When there’s no competition scheduled, the kitchen is slated to host other chef demos. Watch for Shannon McElroy of the soon-to-open Federalist Public House and Brooke Preston of the Green Boheme, which recently morphed into a food-focused health center.

Surrounding The Pit will be the Artisanal Pavilion, a land of pop-up restaurants—Blackbird Kitchen & Beer Gallery, Mother, Tako Korean BBQ, Trick Pony and others—touting signature dishes. Nutting says servings will be small and affordable to encourage exploration.

“I want to hit all the restaurants and all the food trucks,” he says. “And not feel like I need a nap after.”

Ah yes, the fleet of about 10 food trucks scattered throughout the festival includes Fuzion Eatz, Wandering Boba, Cruzin Crustacean and Culinerdy Cruzer—the latter formerly known as Papa Dale’s.

In the beverage realm, LowBrau will have its own craft-beer outpost, but the pavilion will highlight the local magic. Bartenders will whip up original creations using tinctures, shrubs and other farm-to-fork ingredients. Wine will come from the neighboring Amador, El Dorado, Yolo and Napa counties. Local participating breweries include Berryessa Brewing Company, Yolo Brewing Company, Bike Dog Brewing Company and Ruhstaller.

In other words, wear some loose pants.