In case you’re the kind that travels for meals and loves a meals competition or actually a chance to attempt dozens of dishes from varied cooks multi function place, then you must in all probability have Greenville, South Carolina’s euphoria in your radar. Celebrating its seventeenth yr, euphoria will happen September 15 to 18. With the slogan, eat. sip. pay attention., this competition options 45+ occasions over the course of 4 days all with one frequent theme — unbelievable meals, drinks, and music.

And it’s all for a fantastic trigger. Along with being a dream for individuals who love southern cooking, euphoria is a nonprofit group and competition proceeds fund tasks for native nonprofits that assist kids, present training via music or performing arts, and work to get rid of starvation. In 2022, euphoria gave greater than $45,000 to 4 totally different charities, essentially the most ever granted in a single yr.

We chatted with euphoria’s govt director, Morgan Allen, about all issues euphoria 2022 the place she touched on what’s new, what’s thrilling, and what’s again that common competition attendees are most trying ahead to.

Right here’s the way it went:

What do you suppose individuals are most enthusiastic about this yr?

For the primary time since 2019, we’re internet hosting our full schedule of euphoria occasions. We have now greater than a dozen pre-festival occasions below our belts already this yr, and we’re about to host 45 extra over the course of 4 days in September. It’s not misplaced on us how lucky we have been to by no means need to cancel the competition or go a full yr with out euphoria occasions, nevertheless it positive does really feel good to be again in full swing.

So what new issues are occurring in 2022?

We’re internet hosting extra visitor chef dinners and lecture rooms than ever earlier than, and celebrating all kinds of numerous delicacies from our gifted line-up of cooks. With specialties starting from paella, seafood, Creole, and vegan dishes to Asian, French, and Spanish-inspired delicacies, there’s one thing for each style and loads of possibilities to attempt one thing new.

We’re additionally excited in regards to the robust feminine illustration at euphoria this yr, with greater than 30 meals, beverage, and music professionals contributing to the competition. Three of the seven collaborating cooks from Michelin-starred eating places are feminine, and they’re going to all function sous cooks in our Wholesome Lunchtime Throwdown youngsters’ cooking competitors, designed to nurture the following technology of culinary expertise. We’re thrilled to carry this occasion again after a short hiatus, together with two different fan favorites: Songwriter’s Recipe and Social gathering within the Park.

What occasions do you suggest to somebody who has by no means attended euphoria earlier than?

Feast by the Area – is an absolute should for seasoned euphoria attendees and newcomers alike. Whether or not you need to pattern ‘til your coronary heart’s content material from cooks, breweries, winemakers, and regional distillers, study some new methods from cooking demos on the culinary stage, or simply sit again and loosen up when you hearken to stay music, that is the most important tasting occasion of euphoria weekend.

Social gathering within the Park – Company will (fairly actually) celebration within the park with stay music, crafted drinks, and scrumptious bites from a number of the finest cooks throughout the Southeast. Make sure to carry your dancing footwear — that is the not-to-be-missed celebration occasion of the weekend!

Songwriter’s Recipe – An intimate behind-the-scenes occasion that includes legendary songwriters Tim Nichols, Heather Morgan and Monty Criswell, who’ve written songs for Tim McGraw, Keith City, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Eric Church, and lots of extra. Hear the tales behind the songs you’ve been singing alongside to whereas noshing on bites and sipping specifically crafted cocktails.

Classroom on a subject of curiosity – euphoria’s emphasis on training is obvious within the 20+ lecture rooms, lunch & learns, and wine seminars on the schedule. Subjects cowl every part from chocolate, acai bowls, pickling, and knife expertise to gin, tequila, beer, glowing wines, and Japanese liquors – and extra.

What new occasions do you suppose cannot be missed?

We’re kicking off yr 17 with A Tyler Florence Homecoming in partnership with VisitGreenvilleSC at Soby’s New South Delicacies on September 15. For the primary time ever, Meals Community star and James Beard-nominated chef Tyler Florence will host a wine dinner in his hometown throughout euphoria. This dinner is already offered out, nevertheless it’s actually one of many occasions everyone seems to be speaking about.

Social gathering within the Park and Songwriter’s Recipe aren’t essentially new, however each are returning after a short hiatus, so we contemplate them “new” for this yr. Each are favorites that individuals missed once we have been unable to host them, so we’re excited to carry them again and transfer them to new venues that ought to actually improve the visitor expertise.

We’re at all times developing with new matters for euphoria lecture rooms. The big selection of choices this yr is in contrast to something we’ve provided earlier than. One particular person may doubtlessly discover ways to pickle, brew craft beer, construct the right acai bowl, and ideal their knife expertise in the midst of one weekend.

Our Michelin dinners are new and totally different yearly, and actually current a once-in-a-lifetime eating expertise with a number of the finest cooks within the enterprise. This yr, we’ve one of the vital awarded paella cooks within the nation, the primary Swedish lady to be a part of a two Michelin-starred restaurant (and solely the second within the U.S. to take action), and the 2021 World’s Greatest Restaurateur all collaborating. And for the primary time ever, we’ve 4 cooks from Michelin-starred eating places collaborating for one dinner, which is certain to be an unforgettable eating expertise for all who attend.

How has the competition grown during the last 17 years?

In a single phrase – deliberately. We’re pleased with how euphoria has grown over time, attracting unbelievable culinary expertise from all around the nation (and even the world!), and turning into often known as a competition the locals love and vacationers are keen to journey for. On the identical time, we’ve labored laborious to maintain euphoria at an pleasant dimension and keep the intimacy that permits visitors to work together with award-winning cooks, songwriters who’ve written main hits, and a number of the finest winemakers, mixologists, distillers, and cooks from throughout the Southeast.

euphoria is a nonprofit competition. Proceeds fund tasks for different native nonprofits that assist kids, present training via music or performing arts, and work to get rid of starvation. Since its inception, euphoria has funded almost 50 tasks for different native charities. We created a Producers Circle the place our VIP ticket holders make charitable donations above and past their ticket packages, and that’s helped us give more cash again to our group than ever earlier than. We’ve additionally been in a position to host extra occasions all year long and improve our financial influence on the Upstate and our native hospitality, culinary arts, and music industries.

The seventeenth annual euphoria will happen September 15-18, 2022 in Greenville, South Carolina. Take a look at the complete occasion line up and get your tickets right here.