From a tea party to a food truck rodeo, here are 15 food and drink events this August

Allison Ballard, Wilmington StarNews
Updated ·4 min read
Lonerider Oak Island, at 5710 57th Place West, Oak Island, N.C.
Lonerider Oak Island, at 5710 57th Place West, Oak Island, N.C.

As August begins, local restaurants, breweries and urban farms are planning to help you end the summer with a delicious bang. Look for food trucks, outdoor events, tea parties, champagne tastings and cooking classes.  Let us know if there's another event we should add to the list by emailing aballard@gannett.com.

Aug. 3: Beer lovers in Brunswick County can celebrate National IPA Day at Lonerider Brewery’s outpost in Oak Island at 57th Place West. Look for half-off that hoppy style of beer, beginning at noon.

Aug. 5: Guess what? Southport is hosting its first Food Truck Rodeo. It takes place 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on the lawn of the Fort Johnston-Southport Museum & Visitors Center at 203 E. Bay St. In addition to vendors offering a selection of delicious food, look for music from the Back Porch Rockers.

Aug. 6: In downtown Wilmington, Cape Fear Spice Merchants is showing off their new display kitchen at 20 Market St. by hosting an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party that includes three tasting pairings, with savory and sweet bites. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party begins at 2 p.m. with a tea-based cocktail or mocktail and includes demonstrations for food and tea preparation. Tickets are $15 and expected to sell out.

Aug. 8: In Lumina Station, Port Land Grille is hosting a luxurious wine dinner featuring selections from the Sonoma-based Peay Vineyards. It's a five-course dinner that begins at 6:30 p.m. at 1908 Eastwood Road near Wrightsville Beach. All-inclusive tickets are $250 per person. Reach out to the restaurant for more information.

You can find manna provisions at 129 Princess St. in Wilmington, N.C.
You can find manna provisions at 129 Princess St. in Wilmington, N.C.

Aug. 13: The ongoing confluence of wine and food from manna and manna provisions at 129 Princess St. in downtown Wilmington is now offering a Japanese-style experience. Sous chef Zach Smejkal has planned “Homesick an Izakaya,” modeled after the informal bars where drinks and snacks are served. There are two seatings (at 4 and 6 p.m.) with a five-course menu featuring dishes like tofu or pork buns, soba, and tonkatsu. Tickets are $85, with an optional pairing of wine, beer, or sake for an additional $40. They're expected to sell out.

Aug. 17: If you’re in the mood for some late-summer indulgence, True Blue Butcher & Table at 1125 Military Cutoff Road in The Forum is hosting a White Party. The dress code is all white, and the food and drink will include seafood, champagne and champagne cocktails. It begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $40.

Aug. 18: The Leland Cultural Arts Center is hosting a Luau that will feature food from Sunset Slush sold throughout the event, live music from Da Howlies as well as a limbo and hula hoop contest. It’s 7-9 p.m. at 1212 Magnolia Village Way. Tickets are $15.

Aug. 18-20: A local Harris Teeter is hosting a Hatch Chile Peppers roasting event, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until sold out these days. Foodies everywhere love these peppers from New Mexico, and you can get them to use in recipes or to freeze for later use. t's at the Lumina Commons location at 1940 Eastwood Road.

Burgaw Alimente is at 118 W. Fremont St. in Burgaw
Burgaw Alimente is at 118 W. Fremont St. in Burgaw

Aug. 19: The bakery/Mexican restaurant combo known as Burgaw Alimente at 118 W. Fremont St. is hosting a one-year anniversary party. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., they’ll have samples, raffles and giveaways.

Aug. 20: End of Days Distillery at 1815 Castle St. in Wilmington's Cargo District is hosting a public release for their new Castillo 1815 blue agave spirit at 3 p.m. Contact the EOD for details.

Aug. 25: Wilmington's zero-proof beverage business, Mocksie, is hosting a tasting of adaptogenic beverages that can help calm you down, wake you up, or prepare you for a fun yet functional night out. It's 7-8 p.m. upstairs at 713 Princess St. and tickets are $25 in advance.

Aug. 26: Willowdale Urban Farm at 301 N. 30th St. in Wilmington has been hosting a community cooking class series with the help of chef Gwen Gulliksen. The next one is 9-11:30 a.m. that includes a farm tour, demonstration and time for questions.

Aug. 26: You can learn a few other cooking tips at the next Chef Demo at the Wilmington Farmers Market at Tidal Creek, 5329 Oleander Drive.  Chef Mauricio Huarcaya with The Green House restaurant will prepare something using seasonal ingredients beginning at 9 a.m.

Aug. 26: Speaking of classes, Little Loaf Bakery & Schoolhouse at 3410 Wrightsville Ave. in Wilmington has been offering a selection of courses in breadmaking and more. This one focuses on pasta. If you bring a chef's knife and cutting board, you'll learn to make egg dough based tagliatelle pasta with Bolognese sauce. Cost is $80.

Aug. 29: There's also another monthly wine dinner from Blue Surf Arboretum West, 414 Arboretum Drive in Wilmington. This one, focused on the wines of Sonoma, pairs five wines with the flavors of the region. It begins at 5:30 with a bubby reception. Tickets are $75 and available through the restaurant.

STAY CONNECTED:Keep up with the area’s latest food news by signing up for the Port City Foodies newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her ataballard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Food and drink events in Wilmington in August 2023