Sizzler to Hit Streets with Food Truck

This is at least the second instance of a chain restaurant hopping on the food truck trend and announcing their attention to bring their menu to the people. I guess if the people won't come to you...

Sorry, let me put the snark away and just report the facts (courtesy of Fast Food Maven).

Sizzler is launching a food truck later this fall – currently tabbed ZZ Truck, but I'm guessing that will change once Billy Gibbons gets wind of it.

As if they're already anticipating a cease & desist letter, the company will hold a "Name That Food Truck" contest through October. Voters will get to choose between five beef-centric names (including KOW and Re, White & Moo) with voters being entered into a drawing for an iPod Touch.

Check out Sizzler's Twitter feed and Facebook page for more info. (Now there's a sentence I never imagined I'd be typing!)

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival Brings Gourmet Goodies to MD Fairgrounds

Whether we want to accept it or not, the holidays are right around the corner and that means everything from office parties and entertaining as well as needing presents for friends, family and the hosts of those last minute holiday shindigs.

If you want to get some of your holiday shopping wrapped up early – and pick up some gourmet treats to keep on hand for impromptu gatherings or just snacking during the next football game – make plans to hit this weekend's Sugarloaf Crafts Festival at the State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

Frankly, I always had the crafts festival pegged as a place where I could get quilts, household decor and furniture, not gourmet food. So I was pleased to find out that this year's installment of the popular event will feature more than 20 food exhibitors selling everything from specialty drink mixes and gourmet snacks to cakes, cookies and more.

Here's just a sampling of the exhibitors who will be selling their goods – and hopefully handing out samples – when the show arrives this weekend:

• Rowena's Italian Specialties – desserts, jams, curds and sauces
• Rising Sun Farms – 100% gluten free and all natural tortas, spreads, marinades and more
• Bittersweet Herb Farm – sauces, jams, oils and seasonings
• Ron and Frank's Gourmet Beverages – hot chocolate, chai tea and their new coffee blend
• Olevano Olive Oil – a wide range of olive oil-based products
• Berkshire Sweet Gold – single crop, single batch maple syrup from Massachusetts
• Pretzelphoria Gourmet Pretzels – choose from sweet and salty, hot and spicy or just plain indulgent
• Lakes Almonds – gourmet roasted nuts
• Wissie Cakes – breads, cookies, pound cakes and more
• Leonard Mountain – stews, soups, dips and chili

Thanks to the fine folks at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival we have a handful of free tickets to the festival good for admission Friday, September 30, Saturday, October 1 or Sunday, October 2. To get a pair of free tickets e-mail editor@hungovergourmet.com with your name and mailing address before Wednesday, September 28 at noon EST. While supplies last!

Win Tickets to Safeway BBQ Battle in DC!

Want to attend next weekend's 19th Annual Safeway BBQ Battle in our nation's capital?

Thanks to our friends at Perdue, The Hungover Gourmet is giving away a pair of general admission tickets good for either Saturday, June 25 or Sunday, June 26.

The Barbecue Battle is one of the country's premier barbecue competitions with cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, 30 bands, free food samples and the National Pork Barbecue Championship Contest with teams from around the country vying for more than $40,000 in cash and prizes... not to mention the coveted bragging rights!

On Saturday, Perdue's executive chef Chris Moyer will be hosting a chicken cooking demonstration and the company will be holding their Sizzlin' Chicken BBQ Contest! Come on out, check out the demo and sample some free Perdue chicken while you're at it.

Courtesy of Perdue we have a pair of general admission tickets good for Saturday, June 25 (11 AM - 9 PM) or Sunday, June 26 (11 AM - 7:30 PM). Good one day only, event held rain or shine, no cash value.

To enter simply e-mail your name and address to editor@hungovergourmet.com. We will hold a random drawing on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 and tickets will be mailed via USPS Priority Mail on Wednesday, June 22, 2011.

Taco Bell Offering Free Tacos to Facebook Fans

In response to the recent "where's the beef?" lawsuit, Taco Bell is offering free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Tacos to those who "like" the company's Facebook page.