North Meets South in PDX for "Food & Drink Jubilee!"

It's been a whole week since the town's last foodie fest, so naturally, it's time to gear up for the next: The exclamatory NORTH Meets SOUTH Food & Drink Jubilee! (named as such, presumably, because of its aims to bring together "top-notch producers from Canada to Brazil!") fetes at downtown's Benson Hotel on March 25 and 26, featuring sips and bites from local restaurants (including El Gaucho and the Heathman), nightly culinary and cocktail competitions, a Carlton Farms-sponsored luau, and wine seminars.

A Friday-night "risotto throwdown" pits six local chefs (including Allium Bistro's Pascal Chureau, A Cena's Gabe Gabreski, and Aquariva's Andy Arndt) in an Iron Chef-style rice-cooking competition; a bartender's competition the same night pits three local faves (including Beaker & Flask's Dave Shenaut) against challengers from Las Vegas and Milwaukee. A super-secretive third session on March 27 is described as being "industry-only," but tickets to the Friday and Saturday night eatings ($85 each night, or $145 for a two-day pass) are available here.
· NORTH Meets SOUTH Food & Drink Jubilee! [Official site]

Image of the Benson Hotel courtesy nen222 via Flickr