Girls Night Out is an annual fundraiser for YWCA Charleston's Resolve Family Abuse Program.



Girls Night Out is for women by women, to raise critical funds. 



I have been a few time in the past, and this time I went to volunteer - all in sparkles. 



At the event, they have a small buffet of goodies but also plenty of bites from area restaurants.



Some of the ones I tried include wings from The Cold Spot, sushi from Ichiban, meatballs from Soho's, lobster bisque from The Chophouse and shrimp from Tidewater.



What was your favorite bite of the night?

The Carver Career Center hosted a Culinary Showcase that raised money for the school's culinary program. 



I am fortuned to work with two organizations who support this initiative - Girl Scouts, which donated a case of cookies for their silent auction and the Capitol Market, which was a sponsor for the event and invited me to attend. 



The event featured some light snacks, a moonshine bar, DJ EJ, silent auction and bites from some of the area's best chefs at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center. Jim Strawn and Taylor Eaton hosted the evening, while Chef Paul Smith, Delegate Kayla Young and Chris Colagrosso were the celebrity judges.



"An engaging evening that brings many unique ingredients together to create a great recipe of celebrating our diverse local culinary community. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to watch each local Food and Beverage professional prepare their signature item right in front of you as you network and enjoy being a "foodie for the night" all while knowing you are helping to provide scholarship dollars that will have a lasting impact."

Evan Wilson, Ichiban Pan Asian - Vegetarian Sushi Roll with Asparagus & Spring Roll 





Jeremy Sprouse, The Lookout - Scallops with risotto and balsamic reduction



Kerry Martin, Karubees Jamaican Restaurant - Jerk Chicken & Curry Rice





Michael and Rachel Ervin, Coal River Coffee - The Upside Down: Raspberry Macchiato with Mocha Cold Foam





Camron Cordon, Phat Daddy’s on Da Tracks - Pulled Pork or Chicken Slider with Slaw and Baked Beans



Morgan Morrison, Rock City - Assorted Desserts with Fruit Pizza Cookies and Layered Puddings



Stephanie Kraus, Valley Cakes & Café - Assorted Cupcakes with Candy Bars





Ke, Keekreationzzz - Mac & Cheese & Soul Food Cupcake with Fried Chicken, Cornbread, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy Pipette





Anthony Wilkins, Gourmet Fast - Oxtail and Grits







Dennis Harris, Edgewood Country Club - Watermelon Gazpacho





Thomas Grant and Mandy Gum, Carver Career Center - Sausage and Pea Pesto Crostini & Shrimp with Pico





What was your favorite bite?

Picklesburgh is a free Pittsburgh festival that celebrates all things pickles.



"It’s a celebration that goes beyond the dill pickle to include international dishes, prepared foods, and artisan cocktails that feature pickled ingredients; an embrace of the farm-to-table movement and the rising popularity of canning; a selection of handcrafted foods and artisan cocktails from local restaurants; merchandise such as pickled goods, books, and DIY products."



It has been rated as the top specialty food festival, which makes it pretty neat. 



The festival was held on the Rachel Carson bridge, which hit capacity every few minutes, and it would have to be shut down to new entrants. It was so, so packed. Like shoulder-to-shoulder packed. Like, we would be at a standstill for minutes at a time as we were just trying to walk along the bridge. It was hard to tell where lines to vendors were because it was just so crammed. 



There was a pickle-juice drinking contest, which the winner conquered in like 4.5 seconds. Unreal. 



We did manage to get some pickle goodies. First up was The Brinery @ Two Acre Farm.



"The Brinery @TwoAcreFarm makes hand-crafted pickles in small batches. The pickles are 100% natural, contain no artificial preservatives, no chemical crispers, no color additives or refined sugars. The brine for The Brinery’s hand-crafted pickles is a vinegar and salt base and loaded with hand chopped locally grown ingredients and Two Acre Farm’s hand-crafted seasonings. Full of flavor and delightfully crunchy you can find buckets full of different varieties at the local farmer’s markets The Brinery attends."



At Picklesburgh, they had "hand-crafted fresh pickles and pickle shots in crazy exciting flavors, like Peach Maple Bourbon, Pineapple Sriracha, Garlic Herb & Wine and even a Monster Energy Pickle Shot for a quick boost. Plus, relishes, hot sauces, BBQ sauces and dill pickle sea salt."



I picked up a cup of the garlic, herb & wine pickles, while Kayla tried the peach maple bourbon. Mine were good - I wouldn't have hated even more garlic flavor (but I really love garlic). Kayla's had a bit of a kick, but she enjoyed. They even serve them with a straw so you can drink the brine, which they also had on tap. 



Next up: fudge. 



Copper Coast Confections: "Creative sweets from Pittsburgh’s premiere artisan fudge company including chocolate covered dill pickle popsicles, peanut butter pickle swirl Fudge, and even pickleback fudge with smoked whiskey, caramel and dill pickle peanuts!"



I bought a salted caramel fudge, because that's just my favorite. 



But I also went with a "dill payday," which had a dill-flavored fudge with peanuts and caramel. 



It wasn't a prominent dill flavor, but just some subtle saltiness and vinegary note. But it worked out. 



I would've liked to try the pickle beer, pickle ice cream, dill cheese and so many more. That just might have to wait til next year. 

Charleston is hosting "Food Truck Wednesdays" at Slack Plaza during the summer, and I am trying to keep my eye out for places I've not yet tried.



Recently, they've had the Shape Shop, Dem 2 Brothers, Busters Blazin' Grill, Mr. Choo Choo and then two new-to-me places: MR Poppins and Just Drinks. 



MR Poppins had kettle corn; I got the original, which I really enjoyed! Sweet and salty and fresh - what more can you ask for? And Just Drinks has some really good lemonade. I needed that on this hot day.

Which other places have you tried?