Maybe it’s because Midwesterners are notoriously hearty eaters.

Or maybe it’s because our community has such as bevy of talented chefs.

Either way, St. Louis is a foodie town.

No wonder the Riverfront Times Iron Fork is such a hit.

After all, it’s not every night when one can sample food from 45 different restaurants, all in one spot.

The Iron Fork has grown so popular that they’re expanding into two ballrooms this year!

This year’s Iron Fork will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 28, 2013 in the Grand and Regency ballrooms at the St. Louis Union  Station .

As usual, the restaurants are hand-selected by Ian Froeb, Riverfront Times food critic.

These are the eateries on the list so far:

• The Shaved Duck
• Scottish Arms
• Siete Luminarias
  
• Sameem Afghan Restaurant
• Salume Beddu
• Riverbend Restaurant and Bar

• Home Wine Kitchen
• Haveli
• Harvest
• Fork and Stix
• Cha Cha Chow
• Bogarts Smokehouse

Aside from the food tasting, one of the highlights of the night are the chef and mixologist competitions. If you’ve ever seen the TV show Iron Chef America on the Food Network, you have an idea of what the competitors will be doing.

Four chefs, including last year’s champion Jason Tilford of of Milago Modern Mexican, compete to create an amazing dish using a secret ingredient. Later, 12 local mixologists compete to create the best-tasting and most appealing drink.

Guests are encouraged to mingle as they sip complimentary cocktails, nibble on culinary delights and cheer for their favorite chef.

If the food and fun isn’t enough to lure you, consider the feel good factor of the event. A portion of the proceeds from the Iron Fork goes to the St. Louis Area Foodbank.

Details:

• 21 and older only
• General Admission Tickets
  $35 in Advance | $45 at the Door
  Includes unlimited restaurant samples, and 3 complimentary sponsored drinks.
• VIP Tickets
  $75 in Advance | $100 at the Door
  Includes two private areas at Iron Fork with prime viewing of the chef and mixologist competitions with a private bar, unlimited complimentary drinks, unlimited restaurant samples, and a gift bag.

Buy your tickets in advance by visiting:
https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/220829?utm_source=foodbank

Enter promo code FOODBANK
to save an additional $10 on general admission tickets!

See pictures from last year’s event:https://www.flickr.com/photos/stlfoodbank/sets/72157629651879477/show/