Road Trip: Ashland Culinary Festival
The culinary festival features food demos, live entertainment, and the heated Chef Showdown
By Madeline Lootens October 29, 2015
This article originally appeared in the November 2015 issue of Seattle magazine.
Where: Ashland, Oregon.
Why: For the ninth annual Ashland Culinary Festival (11/6-11/8). Sure, it’s a bit of a trek, but the Chef Showdown is worth the travel. Look forward to a weekend of food demos, live entertainment and sizzling competition. Friday-night ticket holders can sip, savor and socialize at the Meet the Chefs event. The Chef Showdown will take place Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. In the mornings, eventgoers can choose from various food-themed workshops, including “All Things Chocolate” (need we say more?) and the “Farm Tour and Food Pairing” (bring those rubber boots!). The competition will be judged by three prestigious chefs: Cory Schreiber, Fabiola Donnelly and Iron Chef Oregon winner James Williams.
Where to Stay: At the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites, where the competition will be held, or check into A Midsummer’s Dream Bed & Breakfast—with rooms named for Shakespearean characters and just 10 minutes from the fest.
Don’t Miss: The last week of The 39 Steps at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre. Matinee and evening shows run through the weekend.