Flathead Valley Community College is getting ready to begin its biggest scholarship fundraiser of the year, Festival of Flavors, which is a 10-day festival with 12 events highlighting some great food, wine and chefs in the valley.
The kickoff event on Oct. 7 will be have a tailgate theme and feature barbecue champions the Smokin’ Hot Grillfriends, with special performances from Miss Montana Kacie West and University of Montana mascot Monte.
Here’s a little more info:
At the kick-off event, the Smokin’ Hot Grillfriends will team up with the FVCC Culinary Arts students to prepare the tailgate menu comprised of pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad and fruit cobbler. The event will take place at 6 p.m. on the patio outside the Arts and Technology Building on the FVCC campus. Tickets are $25 each, and guests 21 years of age and older will receive two beers compliments of Flathead Beverage.
David Gassaway and Greg Dulin, both of Kalispell and formerly of West Memphis, Ark., are the grill masters of The Smokin’ Hot Grillfriends. Their accolades including grand champion of the Inland Northwest BBQ Championship in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; grand champion of the Stumptown BBQ Smoke-Off in Whitefish; and reserve grand champion of the Smokin’ in the ‘Root BBQ Championship in Stevensville have won them invitations to the American Royal Barbecue in Kansas City, Mo., September 30-October 3 and the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational BBQ in Lynchburg, Tenn., October 22 and 23.
West, of Kalispell, who is studying elementary education at Montana State University, will rival Monte the Grizzly as they perform their talents to tailgate event goers. Guests are encouraged to wear apparel representing their favorite college to the event.
I’m picturing everyone wearing their favorite college shirts and imagining some spirited conversations, especially among those wearing maroon/silver and blue/gold.
Festival of Flavors continues on Oct. 8 with Chef’s Table, which, if you haven’t checked out, is pretty amazing.
There are plenty more events featuring other popular chefs from the Flathead – check http://foundationfof.fvcc.edu for a complete list and tickets information or call the FVCC Foundation Office at 756-3963.