From July 1-27, there were a series of events taking place that are designed to showcase the city’s culinary scene, culminating with Hoover Restaurant Week (HRW) from July 19-27.
David Cohen, owner of The Whole Scoop and chairman of the Hoover Restaurant Alliance, said Hoover Restaurant Week began during the pandemic “to promote our local restaurants that were struggling. It started as a ‘Curbside Edition,’ but quickly turned into a whole lot more.”
This year, around 40 local restaurants participated in the event.
With an impressive selection of more than 200 restaurants around town, Hoover offers a diverse range of options when it comes to dining out. “[HRW] is a great opportunity to try new restaurants,” Cohen says. “We think it's a great time to try new foods and new cuisines, we all need to get out of our comfort zone and try a new BBQ joint, Mexican restaurant or new date night spot.”
A Month-Long Culinary Celebration
Hoover Fire Station Show Down: It’s not uncommon for a fire house to have a great chef, as preparing nightly meals are part of daily life at the station. From July 1-14, Hoover firefighters went head-to-head to see which local firehouse officially has the best cook.
The Bartender Challenge: On July 15 and 16, the East and West sides of Hoover hosted bartending competitions, showcasing the skills and artistry of local mixologists. The pinnacle of the challenge, the Bartender Challenge Championship, will take place on July 18 at Merk’s Tavern and Kitchen, located at the Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel. The bartender with the most flair and creativity was awarded the 2024 championship title. May the best bartender win!
A News-Worthy Kick-Off: On July 19, Fox 6 brought the Hoover Restaurant Week Kick-Off to Bluff Park Community Park. A live morning broadcast was held with Jeh-Jeh Pruitt to meet esteemed chefs and passionate restaurant owners, gain insight into their culinary inspirations and hear the stories behind their creations.
A Week of Special Menus: The peak of Hoover Restaurant Week was the annual week-long celebration from July 19-27 when participating restaurants offer curated menus that highlight their culinary expertise and innovative flavors.
For more information on the event, visit HooverRestaurantWeek.com, a valuable resource that provides a comprehensive guide to the week, including unique menus and specials.