Bons Temps Rouler
Eureka Springs hosts Fleur Delicious fun
COURTESY PHOTO Teresa DeVito of DeVito’s of Eureka Springs, Fleur Delicous Weekend founder Ilene Powell, artist Denise Ryan, Peggy Kjelgaard of Eureka Springs School of the Arts and KJ Zumwalt of Caribe pause for photo to promote Palate to Palette, a new event during this year’s Fleur Delicious in Eureka Springs. Fleur Delicous runs from Tuesday through July 13.
Friday, July 4, 2014
When Ilene Powell moved to Eureka Springs from New Orleans four years ago, she noticed the town did not have a waiters' race.
Powell notes that waiters' races are typically held on Bastille Day, July 14, and she remembered seeing them in New Orleans. In March 2011, she says she approached Teresa DeVito about putting one on, and by July, so many people wanted to participate they had a four-day French-themed festival called Fleur Delicious Weekend. This is the fourth annual Fleur Delicious, which is "kind of a play on the name fleur de lis," and more than 20 culinary and arts activities will be held Tuesday through July 13, Powell says.
FAQ
Fleur Delicious Weekend
WHEN — Tuesday through July 13
WHERE — Throughout Eureka Springs
COST — Varies by event
INFO — fleurdeliciousweeke… or Fleur Delicious Weekend on Facebook
FYI
Fleur Delicious
Schedule
Tuesday
Guest Chefs’ Presentation — Sampling and sips at the Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow, 5-7 p.m., 515 Spring St.
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Spookalicious Tour — And “Spirit Tasting,” 9:30 a.m., Crescent Hotel. 9:30 p.m., 75 Prospect Ave.
Wednesday
Wednesday Over Water — 6-8 p.m., Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville
Four-Course Wine Dinner — 5-9 p.m., Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse, 2883 Arkansas 23 north.
Thursday
Eureka Springs Farmers Market — Cooking demos with Chef Dave of The Grand Taverne and KJ of Caribe, 7 a.m. to noon, 2075 E. Van Buren St.
Wine Sensory Experience — With Renee Threlfal, 3-5 p.m., Keels Creek Winery, 3185 E. Van Buren
Four-Course French Dinner — Featuring farmers market goods, 5-9 p.m., KJ’s Caribe Restaurante & Cantina, U.S. 62 west
July 10-13
French Wine Flights — And Ciroc martinis, 5-9 p.m. Thursday and Sunday,5-10 p.m Friday and Saturday, DeVito’s of Eureka Springs, 5 Center St.
July 11
French Coffee & Pastries — 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Vintage Cargo, 41 Kings Highway Road
Appetizers & Desserts — 2-4 p.m., Déjà Vu, 179 N. Main St.
Palate to Palette — With artist Denise Ryan, 6-9 p.m., KJ’s Caribe. Presented by Eureka Springs School of the Arts
July 11-12
Tour de Licious — With dinner by FRESH, 6 p.m., Cafe’ Roulant. For reservations and menu choices, go to RollingCafe.com.
July 12
White Street Farmers Market — Farm fresh dishes prepared by Hana of Oscar’s Cafe, 8-11:30 a.m., 26 White St.
Samples & Signings — With cookbook authors Sheila Reese, Casey Sams and Kim Duhamel, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fresh Harvest, Pine Mountain Village on U.S. 62 east.
Live Music — With Handmade Moments at 3 p.m. & Brave Combo at 6 p.m., Basin Spring Park on Spring Street
Waiters’ Race — 3 p.m., Spring Street
Grand Bubbly Discovery Tasting — With sparkling wines & champagne, 4 p.m., Grand Taverne.
Food Demo — With Carrie Marry, 4-8 p.m., Eureka Thyme Gallery, 19 Spring St.
Art Soiree Reception — For Ann Boos Davis, 4:30-6 p.m., Mount Victoria B&B, 28 Fairmount St.
Gallery Stroll — Hosted by Eureka Springs Gallery Association,. 6-9 p.m., around town.
Artist’s Reception — For Beth Myers, 6-9 p.m., Norberta Philbrook Gallery, 34 N. Main St.
July 13
Sunday Brunch — With a French food station and champagne, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Crystal Dining Room at The Crescent Hotel.
Tour de Licious — With lunch by FRECH, 1 p.m., Cafe’ Roulant
French Wine Dinner — 7 p.m., Cottage Inn Restaurant, 450 W. Van Buren
— Source: Staff Report
For the waiters' race, about a dozen waiters start at Eureka Grill on Spring Street and race down to Basin Spring Park, she says.
"The race doesn't take but 5 minutes because it's downhill, but they have to balance a tray with three cups of water on it without spilling," she adds.
Some of the free events to attend include the waiters' race, entertainment at Basin Spring Park, coffee and pastries at Vintage Cargo, Eureka Springs Gallery Association Gallery Stroll, farmers market, and tasting and "sniffing" tours by Fresh Harvest and The Spice Boat, Powell says. She suggests making reservations in advance for wine dinners.
New events this year are the Spookalicious Tour and Spirit Tasting at the Crescent Hotel, wine sensory experience at Keels Creek Winery and Tour de Licious presented by Cafe Roulant on its trolley with dinner by FRESH. She adds that Eureka Springs School of the Arts is partnering with KJ's Caribe Restaurante & Cantina for a new event called Palate to Palette, which will feature food and wine with local artist Denise Ryan instructing on still life scenes.
Powell's favorite part of the festival is the cooperative spirit among the local businesses, adding that there is "a huge talent pool here in both culinary and art."
-- Ashley Batchelor
NAN What's Up on 07/04/2014