MNfusion: 'Cultivate Festival' Returns To Loring Park
Chipotle's Cultivate Festival is returning for a second year to Minneapolis' Loring Park this weekend.
The one-day festival, created by the chain of Mexican restaurants in 2011, celebrates local and sustainable food by inviting people to learn more about where their food comes from.
Each year the festival features a number of "cultivate exhibits" that cover popular topics in the food world and offer more information about Chipotle's practices.
This year, there are five booths covering topics ranging from GMOs to livestock conditions. There will also be a guacamole booth where festival goers can go to learn how Chipotle makes its guac. The recipe will be revealed and guests will get to sample the freshly made product.
For those looking for a little more than guac to sustain them, a free burrito is given out to everyone who visits at least four of the booths. Remember to get a stamp at each booth you visit.
If burritos aren't your typical Chipotle chow, don't worry. The chain has been working on a number of new recipes that they are showcasing exclusively at the festival.
Such as the pork belly or barbacoa gordita. Enjoy pork belly or barbacoa on flat bread, topped with pineapple, cabbage, tomatillo red chili sauce and cotija.
Or,the chorizo tastada. This dish features chicken and pork chorizo with black beans, corn escabeche, cilantro and sour cream.
The festival also promises tacos and rice bowls.
For those not in the mood for Mexican there is an artisan food hall full of local goodies from Patisserie 46, Sara's Tipsy Pies, Dunn Brothers Coffee and more.
Of course, no summer festival would be complete without a little craft beer.
A tasting hall, located near the Willow Street entrance, will feature a plethora of Minnesota craft brew.
From Duluth (Bent Paddle Company) to Excelsior (Excelsior Brewing Company) to Stillwater (Lift Bridge) to Minneapolis (Insight Brewing Company), Minnesota's expansive craft brew scene is well represented.
A special "Cultivate Farmhouse Ale" by Surly will also featured at the tent. Made exclusively for the Cultivate Festival, Surly's newest brew plays off their 2014 Cultivate Farmhouse Ale that used dandelion greens. This year, the Minneapolis brewery mixed Belgian malts, Slovenian hops and Minnesota rhubarb to create the a unique beer.
For those that may not be beer drinkers, Sociable Cider Werks offers up craft cider and Carlos Creek Winery will have Minnesota-made wine.
Of course, what better way to celebrate food than to bring in a number of people who work with it every day.
Beginning at 11:30 a.m. a host of chefs will give demonstrations. Crowds are invited to listen to Jim Christiansen of Heydey, Jamie Malone and Erick Anderson of the upcoming Brut, Gavin Kaysen of Spoon and Stable and Minnesota's own Andrew Zimmern of "Bizarre Foods." Top Chef's Richard Blais will also be featured.
And with great food comes great music.
Head to the music stage to hear Hippo Campus, X Ambassadors and Walk the Moon.
The festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. It is free to attend. For more information, visit Chipotle Cultivate Festival online.
