Event Season in Little Rock

Each year in the fall there seems to be a concentrated period of time where everyone decides to throw a food or beer event all at once. This year, it starts the week after next and goes for about a month. During that time there are more great events than you can possibly attend, mostly because people double book events.
Between September 11th and October 16 there are eight events featuring food and beverage, and that is not including the dozens of beer and wine dinners, popups, cooking classes, and one off collaborations going on during this time. There is no shortage of things to do in Little Rock.
Even better several of these events like No Kid Hungry, The Next Course, Blue Plate Special, and Little Rocktober fest are easily in the top 5 annual events each year in their respective category. Throw in some out of town events like this past weekend’s Fayetteville Roots Festival, or the amazing El Dorado MAD festival at the end of the September and it is a great time to be alive as a foodie.
Here are the events coming up in Little Rock over the next few weeks. Each is sure to be memorable.
Friends and Ben – September 11 at the Capital Hotel – The fundraiser event to support Ben Edwards showcases a remarkable support within the restaurant industry to support one of their own. The event will feature eight restaurants along with beer, wine, and spirits.
Zoo Brew – September 14th at the Little Rock Zoo – Think of it as Wild Wine’s less sophisticated brother who still knows how to have a good time. Plus there is nothing more American than drinking beer next to a bald eagle.
Legends of Arkansas – September 16 at Northshore Park – Legends is always a good time down on the river. It is a music first festival, but quietly features an outstanding line up of restuarants, food trucks, and local beer.
Little Rocktober Fest – September 23 at Dickey Stephens Park – This is always one of the best beer festivals each each. The German style event is put on by the Central Arkansas Fermenters, and features tons of beer and bratwurst.
Taste For Business  – September 28th at Verizon Arena – Over 40 Greater Little Rock Chamber restaurants, distributors, breweries, and food companies participating in a business themed networking event at Verizon Arena. This one is a little more business themed, but still a great food showcase.
The Next Course – September 28 at Albert Pike Memorial Center – The Next Course changes venues and moves in some new chefs for this year’s event. It is a multi-course dinner that is one of the more interactive dinners you will find. The entire event benefits the Youth Home.
Blue Plate Special – October 16 at the Capital Hotel – The Thea Foundation always puts together a great event featuring small plates from around a dozen chefs and bartenders. Plus you get to have me serve you food, which should be reason enough to come.
No Kid Hungry – October 16 at South on Main – The one event that needs very little introduction. No Kid Hungry is always the very top food event of the year. The multi-course dinner features some of the top chefs in Arkansas and surrounding regions. It has consistently been the very best dinner I’ve had each year for the past three years. I expect nothing different this year.