Eating, Drinking and Cooking in South Jersey This Weekend: Oktoberfests, Chowderfests and More!

If you’re into food and can’t find one thing to do these next few days, there’s really just no hope for you. But I believe in you, so I know you will get to some good eats and/or drinks. Here are some ideas for you…

You like beer? You’re in luck!

There will be an onslaught of Oktoberfest celebrations throughout the week. It starts Friday with an Oktoberfest dinner at Artisan’s Brewery & Italian Grill at Toms River. Golden Nugget’s Beer Festival, which was only going to be on Saturday and Sunday, will now be a three-day event starting on Friday with Oktoberfest on the Deck. The deck will be a place for beer all three days.

Saturday brings more Oktoberfests! Get your German groove on starting at 10 a.m. at the Oktoberfest on Jackson Street in Cape May, or sleep in a bit more and start at 11 a.m. at the Oktoberfest Block Party in Avalon. OR, just skip the morning all together and head to either Toms River for the Oktoberfest at the East Dover Volunteer Fire Company at 4 p.m. or to Merchantville for Oktoberfest at Blue Monkey Tavern which starts at 5 p.m. Saturday morning, for those who make snarky remarks at those who sleep the morning through (and others), will be the Brewers Rally which starts at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville. The vroom vrooming starts at 7:30 a.m.

You like wine? You’re in luck!

This weekend will be the two-day Jersey Fresh Wine Festival, being held this year at the new Burlington County Fairgrounds on Route 206 in Springfield Twp. Many of the state’s wineries, including most of the South Jersey producers, will be there.

You like seafood? You’re in luck!

Besides the big boffo LBI Chowderfest on Sunday, there will be another little chowder cookoff going on down at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood…a Souper Sunday Closing Day & Chili/Chowder Cook Off, to be precise. If you can’t wait until Sunday, there’s always Crab-A-Palooza at Pinsetter Bar & Bowl in Merchantville on Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m..

You like Italian festivals? You’re in luck!

Friday and Saturday will be An Olde Time Italian Festival at Fox Park in North Wildwood. Admission is free. On Saturday, you will have the additional choice of attending the Knights of Columbus Italian Festival in Historic Smithville from 10AM to 5PM. And then on Sunday, it’s the Gloucester County Italian Heritage Festival at RiverWinds in West Deptford from 11AM to 5PM.

Don’t like any of those options? You’re difficult…but you’re in luck!

Saturday is the annual Apple Festival at the Lacey Schoolhouse Museum right here in Forked River. Also on Saturday is the Woodstown Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And on Saturday and Sunday, it’s the Fall Funfest By The Bay in Margate.

If you care to venture out of South Jersey this weekend…

I must have Oktoberfest on the brain…

This Saturday is Xtober-Fest at Xfinity Live!, located at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly. Lots and lots of good brews to be had.

Here’s your cooking class schedule for the weekend:

Friday: Vegan Cooking at Ocean County Library’s Beachwood Branch, Culinary Couples: Tantalizing Thai at Gloucester County College in Sewell, Mediterranean Flavors at In The Kitchen Cooking School in Haddonfield, Celebrating FOOD & WINE: Fall Hors d’Oeuvres at Sur La Table in Marlton, and Teens and Tweens: Asian Delights at Kitchen Kapers in Moorestown.

Saturday: A Tour of Italy at Sur La Table, A Night in Provence at The Culinary Arts Center at Burlington County College in Mount Holly, Dinner in Santa Fe at In The Kitchen Cooking School, and Apple Harvest Dinner at Kitchen Kapers in Moorestown.

Sunday: Fall Pies and Tarts at Sur La Table, Tuscan Fall Favorites at In The Kitchen Cooking School, and Kids in the Kitchen: Pizza! Pizza! at Kitchen Kapers.

And as always, check out our Food & Wine Events page for upcoming celebrations and other fun things.