More than cherry blossoms or baseball, the tempting scent of burgers being grilled is the true starter’s pistol of the sunny season. Read on for a summer full of eats, drinks and caloric abandon.
Food truck pop-ups
Even the New York Times has noted that Philly’s mobile food scene is blooming. This summer, new pop-up events will gather multiple truckers together in handy locations for maximum consumption. The Food Trust’s wildly popular Night Markets are back, with the next installment taking over Northern Liberties on May 24. For a more regular fix, the 2.5-acre space at 2400 Weccacoe Ave. (behind IKEA) is being developed into The Docklands, a permanent venue for typically on-the-go trucks. And don’t forget to follow @TheSmokeTruck on Twitter to get hipped to secret barbecue pop-ups with a carnival vibe, dubbed “Flesh Mobs.”
Movies & Beer at Nomad Pizza Company
Wednesday, Fri. and Sat. nights, 611 S. Seventh St. www.nomadpizzaco.com
Score a cool brew and a hot pie before grabbing a seat upstairs at Nomad, the stationary incarnation of the roving pizza truck, complete with a wood-fired oven. Classics, indies, cult flicks and more will be projected onto the big screen — all free with your meal.
Philly Beer Week
June 1-10, www.phillybeerweek.org
The liquid bread is what gets butts in the seats, but it’s the grub that keeps ’em there. Notable chefs all over town are on board for tastings, classes and dinners paired with craft brews during the 10-day marathon of suds. Be sure to check out Fists of Feury (June 6, 7 p.m., $55), where chef siblings Terence (of Fork) and Patrick (Nectar, Berwyn) Feury will face off in a no-holds-barred cooking competition..
The Great Chefs Event
June 12, 6-9 p.m., Urban
Outfitters at the Navy Yard www.vetrifoundation.org
Marc Vetri’s superstar-studded fundraiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand returns for its seventh year, featuring renowned chefs from around the world cooking in front of guests who’ve dished out $300-$1,000 for the privilege of swank snacking to help children’s medical charities. Expect Tom Colicchio, Masaharu Morimoto, Mike Solomonov, Jonathan Waxman and more.
Classes at COOK
Summer school’s a straight-up party at Audrey Claire Taichman’s COOK, a 16-seat demonstration kitchen hosting the city’s top toques, teaching everything from how to shift meat from the center of your plate with “Almost Meatless” authors Joy Manning and Tara Mataraza Desmond (June 30, 7 p.m., $165) to perfect pie-making with Metropolitan Bakery (June 24, 3 p.m., $115). www.audreyclairecook.com
Sweet somethings
Whipped Bakeshop — home of the eerily realistic Michael Nutter cookies — is rolling out another Philly confection this Friday. Beginning at 10 a.m., stop by the Fishtown bakery (636 Belgrade St.) for 76ers cookies. And don’t sleep in:?They’re only baking 76 of these limited-edition cuties.
