What we ate at The Big Eat

The rich smell of good food emanated from the Garner Galleria at the Denver Performing Arts Complex yesterday as more than 40 local restaurants were handing out tastes of their fare for The Big Eat.

Ashley Dean

Jul. 15, 2016, 12:07 pm

2 min. read

“Happy Together,” chocolate and vanilla cupcakes served up by the Happy Bakeshop at the Big Eat. Denver Center For The Performing Arts, July 14, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) food; big eat; Denver Center For The Performing Arts; denver; kevinjbeaty; colorado; denverite;

Tiny samplings of house-cured salami prepared and arranged by Vesta Dipping Grill for the Big Eat at the Denver Center For The Performing Arts, July 14, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The rich smell of good food emanated from the Garner Galleria at the Denver Performing Arts Complex yesterday as more than 40 local restaurants were handing out tastes of their fare for The Big Eat.

We took a few passes through the plaza, sampling the food and drinks along the way.

Blue Island Oyster Bar head chef DJ Nagle shucks oysters for patrons during The Big Eat at the Denver Center For The Performing Arts, July 14, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

A cherry dessert spread is restocked after heavy demand at D Bar's table during the Big Eat at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts on July 14. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Foodies swarmed the Denver Center For The Performing Arts during The Big Eat. July 14, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

"Happy Together," chocolate and vanilla cupcakes served up by the Happy Bakeshop at the Big Eat. Denver Center For The Performing Arts, July 14, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Butcher's Bistro provides mesquite smoked pork topped with jalapeño cream cheese and pickled watermelon rind for patrons at the Big Eat. Denver Center For The Performing Arts, July 14, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Mini chile rellenos topped with La Loma's "famous" green chili, prepared for the Big Eat at the Denver Center For The Performing Arts, July 14, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Summer gazpacho prepared by Next Door Union Station for the Big Eat at the Denver Center For The Performing Arts, July 14, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Diners play the treacherous game of garbage Jenga at the Big Eat. It did not end well. Denver Center For The Performing Arts, July 14, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Ashley Dean

Ashley Dean was the editor and sometimes culture reporter for Denverite. She previously covered music and did some copy editing for the Denver Post, the Colorado Daily and the Daily Camera. She's from New York, likes bourbon straight and dreams of someday holding the title of Nightlife Mayor.