North Market will celebrate its fifth Grillmasters Festival over Memorial Day Weekend. The event has been expanded to  two days this year and will emphasize grilling, techniques and sauces (the smoke) as well as putting a little bite into your recipes with spices and hot sauces (the fire). North Market Grillmasters Festival will take place May 29 and 30 and feature special barbeque and fiery foods vendors, cooking demonstrations, culinary contests, live music and entertainment for the kiddies. 

Our regular farmers’ market will take place on Saturday and be augmented by special barbeque and fiery foods vendors including Black Swamp Gourmet, Chuck Evans’ Montezuma Brand, Crazy Uncle Jester’s Inferno World, Ole Ray’s Sauces, Patter Fam Sauces, Ron’s Original Hot Sauce and Urban Chefs. The vendors will be present Saturday and Sunday where you can see them in action along with local chefs at our grilling demonstrations that will boast a host of flavorful grilling recipes. Attendees are invited to watch as recipes are prepared, taste what the presenters have created and take tips to go home and try out on the grill. 

On Saturday, customers are invited to demonstrate their BBQ prowess in an Amateur Barbeque Sauce Contest that will be judged by local BBQ sauce makers.  First prize is $50 in North Market gift certificates. Returning in the “professional” category is the popular, “Thrilla at the Grilla.”  A couple chefs are given their own hibachis and charcoal then use their imagination as far as what they whip up on the grill. Our discerning judges will choose a champion and the public can taste their creations. The winner will take home the title “Baron of Barbeque” and $200 in North Market gift certificates. On Sunday the activities of the day will commence with an amateur Salsa Fresco Contest with another winner taking home $50 in North Market gift certificates.

“Memorial Day weekend kicks-off the Summer grilling season and North Market is the perfect place for a perfect barbecue.” Said David Wible, Executive Director of the North Market. “From our fresh poultry, meats, seafood and game to the broad offerings of our Farmers Market and The Greener Grocer, we have all the ingredients for summer grilling.  Our Grillmaster’s Festival adds an additional layer of “flavor” to the barbecue tradition by assembling some of the best grilling sauce makers in the country.”

Grillmasters Festival Schedule of Activities

Saturday, May 29

• 8 a.m., Farmers Market opens
• 9 - 11 a.m., music by BeJae Fleming
• 9 a.m., Cooking demonstration TBA
• 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Face Painting by Rita
• 10 a.m., Amateur BBQ Sauce Contest
• 11 a.m., Cooking demonstration TBA
• 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., music by Island Breeze Duo
• 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., Columbus Dog Connection foster parents with adoptable dogs
• 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., balloons by Dr. Silverfoot
• 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mark Wood’s Cowboy Fun Show
• 12 p.m., Thrilla at the Grilla, two chefs face off for the title “BBQ Master”
• 1 - 3 p.m., music by Za Unitt
• 3 - 5 p.m., music by Dan Heidt
• 1 p.m., Cooking demonstration by Patter Fam Sauces
• 2 p.m., Cooking demonstration by Anthony Frazier of Urban Chefs
• 3 p.m., Cooking demonstration TBA
• 4 p.m., Cooking demonstration TBA

Sunday, May 30

• 12 p.m., North Market and outdoor vendors open
• 12 - 2 p.m., music by Avalon Nine
• 12 - 2 p.m., balloons by Dr. Silverfoot
• 12: 30 p.m., Salsa Fresco Contest
• 1:15 p.m., Cooking demonstration TBA
• 2 p.m., Cooking demonstration TBA
• 2 - 4 p.m., music TBA
• 2:45 p.m., Cooking demonstration by Anthony Frazier of Urban Chefs
• 3:30 p.m., Cooking demonstration TBA

The North Market Grillmasters Festival is a free event on Saturday, May 29 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 30 from 12 - 5 p.m.  For more information or to enter the BBQ Sauce, Thrilla at the Grilla or Salsa Fresco contests, please call the North Market at (614) 463-9664 or visit www.northmarket.com. 

CupcakeCampColumbus, will return to the North Market on Sunday, March 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Dispatch Kitchen and “this time it’s frostable.” Organizers Carmen Owens of Surly Girl Saloon, Kiesha Jenkins-Duffy of the blog 52 Weeks of Baking and the North Market’s Mary Martineau are offering a festive Saint Patrick’s Day and spring-themed celebration of cupcakes.

Approximately forty different flavors of cupcakes created strictly by local amateur bakers will be featured. This round’s classifications include:

Best St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake: It’s just three days before “the wearing of the green” and your cupcake should pay tribute to this fanciful day of Irish frivolity. Give us green icing, shamrocks or leprechauns, but leave the orange at home!

Best Use of Bailey’s Irish Cream or Bushmills Irish Whiskey: We’re guilty of another Irish-themed category here, but for this one we want you to incorporate some fine Irish libations. You can choose to include Bailey’s Irish Cream or Bushmills Irish Whiskey into your recipe or, heck, go hog-wild and use both!

Best North Market-Inspired: The North Market features a little of everything and so should these cupcakes. Cupcakes inspired by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream flavors were popular in the last round. How about using one of our ethnic eateries for inspiration? With Thai, Vietnamese, Mediterranean, Belgian, Indian, Italian and even Polish cuisine on market there’s a world of inspiration here!

Best Spring-themed: The crocuses will bear their delicate little heads any day now and we’re sure the brilliant gold forsythia will bloom shortly. In the meantime, bake up a batch of cupcakes that reflect the rebirth of our greenery from the cold winter.

Best Vegan: No animal products permitted. Bring us the tastiest cupcake you can create without using milk, eggs, butter or any other animal product.

Local celebrities, bakers and other experts will be on hand to judge each category and fabulous prizes will be awarded to the winners. Applications for cupcake bakers and tickets for cupcake eaters are now available. To register to be a cupcake baker visit the CupCakeCampColumbus website. BAKER REGISTRATION FILLED. If you’re not a baker, but you are an avid cupcake eater and you would like to attend, tickets are $10 with the proceeds benefiting the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. TICKETS SOLD OUT.

 Tickets are limited and the event has sold out each time so get yours early!

Finally, if you’re all about quantity over quality, perhaps you’d like to enter the Cupcake Crush. In this contest the first intrepid eater to finish a set amount of mini cupcakes provided by the Surly Girl Saloon will take home a special award. Registration for the Cupcake Crush will take place on the day of the event.

CupcakeCampColumbus is sponsored by Surly Girl Saloon, 52 Weeks of Baking, North Market, CrimsonCup Coffee, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Bushmills Irish Whiskey and Snowville Creamery. Judges and prize sponsors include AmyD, The Hills Market, Market Blooms, Pattycake Bakery, Sassafrass bakery, Spinelli’s Deli, Wholly Craft. The event will take place on Sunday, March 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Dispatch Kitchen of the North Market. Admission is free for registered cupcake bakers, but space is limited. Only 100 tickets are available for $10 each to the general public. Keep up with the ongoing details of CupcakeCampColumbus on the website or visit or on the North Market events page.

The first CupcakeCampColumbus was a sugary success staged in the back parlor of the Surly Girl Saloon this past May. For round two, Revenge of CupcakeCampColumbus, organizers Carmen Owens of Surly Girl Saloon and Kiesha Jenkins-Duffy of the blog 52 Weeks of Baking have teamed up with the North Market’s  Mary Martineau. The trio will bring on an even bigger baking event that will take place on Saturday, October 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Dispatch Kitchen at the North Market. Keep up with the ongoing details of Revenge of CupcakeCampColumbus on the official event website here>.  The new location also brings a new round of categories to submit for judging the cupcakes. Approximately forty different flavors of cupcakes created by local amateur bakers (REGISTRATION FOR BAKERS CLOSED, LIMIT REACHED) will be featured. This round’s classifications include:

Best Harvest Cupcake: These cupcakes should scream ‘Autumn’. Use of fall fruits or vegetables encouraged and decorating the cupcakes like shocks of hay or other fall imagery a plus.

Best North Market-Inspired: The North Market features a little of everything and so should these cupcakes. Think cupcakes inspired by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream flavors. Or turn up the heat a little and bake a cupcake that would make CaJohn proud. Myriad options available here.

Best Ohio Pride: These cupcakes would make any Ohioan proud. Use all Ohio ingredients. Bake cupcakes in the shape of Ohio. Decorate with OSU colors. Go crazy!

Best Decorated: As simple as it sounds. Bust out your Wilton piping bag or consult your copy of “Hello Cupcake!”

Best Vegan: No animal products here! We want the tastiest cupcake you can create without using milk, eggs, butter or any other animal product.

Best Halloween: Get creative and dress those cupcakes up in their best costumes! Disguise a cupcake as something else, make fondant ghosts or create a haunted cupcake house!

Local celebrities, bakers and other experts will be on hand to judge each category and fabulous prizes will be awarded to the winners. Applications for cupcake bakers and tickets for cupcake eaters are now available. To register to be a cupcake baker visit (Edit baker registration closed)  If you’re not a baker, but you’re n avid cupcake eater and you’d like to attend, tickets are $10 with the proceeds benefiting the Mid-Ohio Food Bank and can be purchased online (EDIT: event now sold out).

Finally, if you’re all about quantity over quality, perhaps you’d like to enter the Cupcake Crush. In this contest the first intrepid eater to finish twenty mini cupcakes provided by the Surly Girl Saloon will take home a special award.

Revenge of CupcakeCampColumbus is sponsored by Surly Girl Saloon, 52 Weeks of Baking, North Market, CrimsonCup Coffee, Snowville Creamery and Wholly Craft. The event will take place on Saturday, October 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Dispatch Kitchen of the North Market. Admission is free for registered cupcake bakers, but space is limited. Only 100 tickets are available for $10 each to the general public. SOLD OUT

Ale! Ale! The gang will all be here for the Columbus Microbrew Festival at the North Market. The usual suspects in the Columbus craft brewing community will be present and accounted for during the fourth annual celebration of all things local ale-related.

This year’s event will take place on Friday, September 11th from 5 - 9 p.m. and on Saturday, September 12th from noon - 7 p.m. on the second floor of the market house. It’s a great place to start a stellar weekend and warm up for the rematch of the season with OSU taking on USC at home at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 12 at 8 p.m. 

Participating local microbreweries include: Barley’s Brewing Company (Ale House No. 1), Barley’s Smokehouse & Brewpub (Ale House No. 2), Columbus Brewing Company, Elevator Brewing Company, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, Hoster Brewing Company and Weasel Boy Brewing Company. Representatives from each microbrewery will be on hand to pour samples of their signature drafts. Admission to the event is free. Beer tasting admission is $15 and includes a commemorative pint glass and ten tasting tickets. Discount coupons good for $2 off the tasting admission fee will be available at all participating microbreweries beginning September 1. Additional tasting tickets will be available for $.50 each. Tickets are available in advance online (starting September 1) at the North Market business office and at the door on the days of the event.

“The North Market is our community’s epicenter for all things local and culinary. We are home to local merchants, farmers, artisans and, this weekend, microbreweries!” said David Wible, Executive Director for the North Market. “The creativity exhibited and the quality of the beers created by our local craft brewers blend nicely with the atmosphere at our public market. The Columbus Microbrew Festival is an opportunity for our Market patrons to be exposed to our hometown brews and for beer aficionados to experience the North Market.”

Columbus Microbrew Festival
Schedule of Activities:

Friday, September 11, 5-9 p.m.
• 5-9 p.m., Microbreweries open for tasting on the second floor of the North market
•5-7 p.m., Music by Great Mad Hoax
•7-9 p.m., Music TBA

Saturday, September 12, 12-7 p.m.
•8 a.m., North Market merchants and farmers open
•9-11 a.m., Music by Slate Ridge on porch
•10 a.m.-3 p.m., Face painting
•11 a.m.-1 p.m., Music by Loosely Strung on porch
•12-7 p.m., Microbreweries open for tasting
•1-3 p.m., Music by Gipson and Fitz Trio on second floor
•3-4 p.m., performances by Majestic Belly Dancing on porch
•3-5 p.m., Music by Island Breeze
•5-7 p.m., Music by Happy Chichester

Festival hours are Friday, September 11 from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, September 12 from noon -7 p.m., regular market hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. For additional information on the North Market Microbrew Festival please call 614-463-9664 or visit NorthMarket.com

We can’t help it. Supporting small, independent local businesses is just in our DNA here at the North Market. So not only are we bringing back Artisan Sundays on the first Sunday of every month from May through October, but we’ve added local artisans and crafters on the third Sunday as well! Now you can stock up on homemade, handcrafted gifts and goodies along with local foodstuffs while doing your weekend market shopping.

Participating vendors and some of their products:

Agape (July 19, Aug. 16): fused glass garden flowers, fused glass artwork

Anne Holman Jewelry Design (July 19, Aug. 2, Sept. 20, Oct. 18): handmade sterling silver jewelry 

ArtSafe (third Sundays): recycled wind chimes, whimsical clay sculptures and mosaic glass windows

BC Applique (first Sundays): appliquéd towels, bibs, guardian angels

Baby Gee’s (various dates): baby accessories including blankets, burp cloths, bibs, towels, bags

Bella Beads Studio (full season): handcrafted jewelry with fine metals, precious stones

Black Market (full season): jewelry, jewelry boxes, fiber art accessories

Blasted Ideas (various dates): sandblasted, engraved terra cotta pots and garden stones

Blaze & Jessica (first Sundays): kiln-slumped glass bottles as spoon rests and dishes

Blue Moon Creations (full season): lamp work glass jewelry

Therese Brady (third Sundays): bags, wallets and dolls from reclaimed items

Buckeye Bling (first Sundays): Buckeye rosaries, necklaces, rings and other Buckeye-themed items

Carmacazzi (full season): hand screened and embellished apparel for men and women

CathyC (first Sundays): pin cushions, aprons, handbags, totes, notebooks, vintage button items

Circa Circus (full season): Vintage inspired & handmade

Clay Creations by Katherine (June 21, July 19, Aug. 16): red, white and brown stoneware, handcrafted pottery

Corazon y Manos (full season): jewelry boxes, crocheted hats and scarves

Cupcake Studio (October 4): vintage button bracelets, handmade cards, journals with vintage elements

Clinton Reno (first Sundays): hand-screened rock posters, art prints, t-shirts

Kristen Ellis (first Sundays): silversmithed jewelry

Girl Pie (May 17, Oct. 18): deconstructed jean skirts, headbands, hairpins, button earrings, pressed flower items

Goldyfish Purses (third Sundays): unique, handmade, one-of-a-kind purses

Green Handle Designs (full season): handcrafted jewelry

Heavenly Grace Design (June 7, Aug. 2): hand and custom made jewelry and accessories

L. Cabanero Designs (May 3): monster plush, sweet and sinister dolls, hair clippies and other monster accessories

Long Mountain Designs (third Sundays): 100% organic children’s’ screen-printed tees and onesies

Maidenhand (first Sundays): silk and wool scarves, felted accessories, corsage pins

MaraM (first Sundays): purses, bags, pouches and accessories all made with recycled materials when possible

Mary Moon Designs (July 19, Aug. 16): appliquéd bags, purses, journals and wall hangings

Meatless Art (first Sundays): original art collages, new series of drawings and paintings

Miss Megan Mac (first Sundays): hand dyed and painted silk scarves, hand-woven fabrics, home décor

Moon Garden (first Sundays): soaps, lotions, lip balms, bath salts, whipped shea butter and soy candles

MT Designs (first Sundays): fused glass bowls, plates, scenes, chimes, platters and jewelry

Nothing as it Seams (Aug. 2): hand-embroidered tees, onesies, patches and pins, cork trivets, cat toys

The Oak Barrel Company (third Sundays): items from repurposed wine barrels, jewelry

Ornaments ‘N More (full season): handcrafted, personalized clay ornaments

Pigtails Ink (May 3, June 7): matted personalized prints of kid-friendly original drawings

Point of View Images (October 4): original matted photos and cards

Reincarnations (August 16): hand painted clocks, magnets, chalkboards, leash hooks and organizers

Will Ruocco Art + Design (various dates): original limited edition silkscreen art prints, note cards

Deborah Shaheed (first Sundays): handmade jewelry incorporating semi-precious stones

Shaterra Clay Studio (first Sundays): handmade ceramic beads, handmade beaded jewelry, jewelry bags

Simply R.E.D. (various dates): Chinese calligraphy hand-painted on t-shirts and cards

Spell it Out (various dates): 4” x 6” photos of architecturally interesting letters

Nicki Strouss (first Sundays): ceramic and glass vessels, felt jewelry, hand-bound books

Sweet Stella (first Sundays): handmade jewelry and accessories – tiny treats line, found images pendants, etc.

Tuscan Grove (third Sundays): hand-dyed yarn and fiber

Umbrella Girl Productions (first Sundays): handmade scarves, sewn stationery, gift and greeting cards

A Viking’s Dream (May 3, June 7): Viking wire knit, crocheted and handcrafted bronze jewelry

Vintage Vamp Jewelry (full season): vintage and vintage-inspired necklaces, bracelets and earrings

Vivisect Apparel (full season): men’s and women’s hand-printed organic t-shirts, bags and totes

Warped & Twisted (full season): handspun yarn, fiber wearables, encaustic wax paintings and cards

The Window Guy (May 17, June 21, Oct. 18): hand-painted windows, chalk boards, cabinets

Artisan Sundays will be held on the outdoor Farmers’ Market plaza at the North Market from 12 noon until 5 p.m. on the following dates: May 3, May 17, June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, August 2, August 16, September 6, September 20, October 4 and October 18. For more information please contact Mary Martineau at 614-463-9664.