Local creator and event producer Braden Tewolde has been hyping up the St. Louis culinary scene since 2020 with his Instagram profile @BradENSTL. He’s hosted pop-ups around town, most notably the holiday-themed Avalanche at Work & Leisure in Midtown. Now, he’s taking one giant leap forward and debuting his first food festival in downtown St. Louis, which he hopes to host twice a year going forward.
The inaugural Foodies Eat First Fest will take over Trust at 401 Pine St. on Saturday, Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug. 17. The weekend-long experience aims to rethink what food festivals can be with more discovery, energy and curated surprises.
“I like creating challenges for myself,” said Tewolde, whose Instagram has steadily grown since its launch five years ago. “This one is for foodies, by foodies. We know all the pain points of food festivals, and we’re doing our best to get rid of those.”
More than just a tasting event, Foodies Eat First Fest will feel more like a music festival, with chefs, restaurateurs and mixologists taking center stage as headliners. “When you go to music festivals, you’re there for the artists. But here, we’re celebrating culinary talent; that’s the show,” said Tewolde.
The lineup includes local heavyweights like Menya Rui, 801 Chophouse, Clementine’s Ice Cream, Smash Em’s Burger Bar, The Biscuit Joint, 4 Hands Brewing Co., and many more detailed on the festival website, as well as mixologists and chefs offering both sample-sized and full-plate options. And in true “for foodies” fashion, the menu changes depending on when you go. Saturday features three sessions – brunch, dinner and late night – while Sunday offers brunch and dinner only. Vendors have been asked to rotate their offerings per session, ensuring no two time slots are the same.
“Some people want brunch, some want late-night bites,” Tewolde said. “We’re building the festival around that. You can taste something small for $4 to $8, then decide if you want to buy the full entree.”
The event’s “Clean Plate Club” lets guests enjoy tasting-size portions from top vendors at approachable prices, encouraging exploration without committing to a full meal at every booth. General admission tickets start at $32 and include access to vendors, music, giveaways, and more. VIP tickets include early entry, unlimited drinks, exclusive bites, lounge access and food vouchers.
Tewolde said he intentionally planned the fest for the same weekend the Yankees are in town to play the Cardinals. “When people visit other cities, they want to see what’s happening downtown. I believe St. Louis deserves a downtown food festival that really shows off what we have to offer,” he said. “This is it.”
While the vast majority of the restaurant participants are local, Tewolde has a very special out-of-town guest planned. “I’m beyond excited to bring one of America’s most iconic delis, Katz’s Delicatessen, to St. Louis for the first time in history,” he said. “With the Cardinals facing the Yankees, it’s the perfect moment to show New Yorkers just how incredible and flavorful St. Louis can be – and to introduce St. Louis to one of New York’s most iconic sandwiches. This is more than food; it’s a cultural exchange between two great cities. During Saturday’s dinner session, I’ll enjoy some toasted ravioli from STL Toasted then a pastrami from Katz’s. This is big!”
Ninety percent of the festival will take place indoors, providing a cool reprieve from the August heat, with a rooftop and outdoor activations for those who want to explore further. DJs will spin throughout the event, with live performances and a few unannounced surprises. Expect everything from caviar bumps and prosciutto shavings to VIP-only dishes and limited merch drops.
Foodies Eat First Fest is expected to return twice a year, with a spring edition already in the early planning stages. Tickets are available online at foodieseatfirst.com.
This article appears in July 2025.