If you've got $10 and room in your stomach to spare, consider entering the Kolache Eating Contest this Saturday at Bed-Stuy's Brooklyn Kolache Co.. From 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., the shop's inviting competitive eaters of all persuasions to down as many sausage and cheese kolaches as possible in a 10 minute time period. The winner of the event gets the full pot plus a $50 gift certificate to the eatery—if they can ever look at a kolache again. For spectators, there'll be live music, local art and the excitement of seeing who will puke first.
There's a different kind of competition taking place Saturday at Pier 84, where the NYC Chapter of the Texas Exes is holding their annual Texas Chili Cook-off. Professional competitors join amateur cooks for the bid to win the favor of both official judges as well as attendees to the fete. While it's too late to enter your own crock, there are still tickets available ($65) to attend the event, which takes place from noon until 5 p.m. Once you're there, sample all the chili from each team and drink your fill of Shiner Beers.
(La Marqueta)
Not to be outdone by its incubating sister in Williamsburg, the Gowanus Whole Foods will host a special five-course coffee brunch on Saturday at 10 a.m. to highlight their in-house roasting program. The $30 meal includes coffee pairings with each course, like the Costa Rica Santa Rosa 1900 served with a Fig Turnover, the Java Sunda Hejo Micro Lot served with Eggs Benedict on a Black Seed Bagel and Kenya Karagoto served with a Chocolate Tart. Everyone gets a bag of Allegro Coffee Roasters and a mug to take home. A portion of proceeds also benefit The Rainforest Alliance, which "works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods."
Beginning this Sunday, the Vendy Plaza at La Marqueta returns to its East Harlem digs on Park Avenue at 116th Street. Throughout the rest of the summer, a rotating cast of food vendors will be setting up shop under the Metro North tracks, including a special beer garden serving brews from Harlem Brewing Company as well as cider, wine and other breweries throughout the season. As for the eats, expect folks like Tipsy Scoop and their boozy ice cream, pizza from Neapolitan Express, Indian treats from Samosa Shack and a bunch more.
