The Bite of Oregon

Looking to sample some of Oregon’s best food and drink? A trip to the Bite of Oregon event will satisfy your taste buds.

Rows and rows of food, as far as this little girl’s eye could see. That’s what I remember from my middle school and high school days, visiting the annual Bite of Oregon event at Waterfront Park. I remember being able to taste food from restaurants we wouldn’t normally visit and experience cuisines I had never tried before.

This year marks the 32nd annual Bite of Oregon, the state’s longstanding celebration of local food and drink. Held the first weekend in August each year, you can head on down to Tom McCall Waterfront Park this Friday, August 7, 2015 through Sunday, August 9, 2015. Admission is just $5, with different vendors selling food and drink at various prices throughout the event. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Oregon.

The food

This year, the Oregon Bounty Chef’s Table returns, in which top local chefs are partnered with different agriculture commissions to prepare locally sourced gourmet dishes for just $4 each.

Last year, I had the 18-hour sous vide Oregon Beef Flat Iron Steak with whipped yukon gold potatoes (pictured above). It was SO tender and full of rich flavors. I can’t wait to see what the different chefs will cook up this year at the Oregon Bounty Chef’s Table!

So far, 14 restaurants, 4 food carts, 7 dessert shops, and 14 specialty food vendors have signed up to offer you a taste of their delectable creations, including Gerry Frank’s Konditorei, who brought this beautiful cake last year:

The drink

The Oregon Craft Beer Garden returns as will the event’s Wine Bar, hosted by SE Wine Collective. The Bite of Oregon will feature more than 25 breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries pouring craft beverages.

If you aren’t already aware, Oregon is home to some incredibly talented cideries, including two of my favorites: Atlas Cider, and Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider (pictured above) — both of whom will be at The Bite of Oregon again this year.

For those cocktail drinkers out there, five Oregon distilleries will be pouring their vodkas, whiskeys, gins, and more. Sake One will also be on hand to give you a taste of their premium, handcrafted saké.

The entertainment

To keep you and your friends and family entertained while you try all of the delicious food and drink, The Bite of Oregon has two main stages at opposite ends of the event venue. Throughout the weekend, you can enjoy the sounds of more than 30 local bands playing live on stage. For the younger set, there will also be hourly performances, as well as puppeteers, arts and crafts projects, and face painting.

The Bite of Oregon is so much more than just about food: it’s about the spirit of Oregon as enjoyed through its home grown food & drink scene, its music, and its people. It’s a fun atmosphere with a positive, energetic vibe, and is very family-friendly. I definitely recommend spending some time down here this weekend with friends and family if you can!

The Bite of Oregon

August 7 – 9, 2015
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Portland, Oregon
Friday & Saturday 11am – 10pm
Sunday 10am – 8pm
Tickets: $5, purchased either at the door or in advance online
You may also purchase special event packages at various price levels

Have you ever been to the Bite of Oregon or a food festival in your town? What’s your favorite part about food festivals?

Thanks to Bite of Oregon for inviting me to the media preview this year and last. These photos are from last year’s Bite of Oregon media preview, which I was able to attend free of charge. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.