Everything You Should Eat & Drink at OozeFest – An Event Dedicated to Cheese & Beer
This Saturday October 10, 2015, something quite amazing will be happening in Downtown Santa Ana (California). No, cash money will not be falling from the sky, and no, the Pope won’t be hitting up DTSA. But, a festival focused solely around cheese (and beer!) in all its glory will be taking place! Better yet, this miraculous event is brought to you by FOODBEAST! It’s called Ooze Fest.
Far too many are unaware that October is National Cheese Month, and that’s part of the reason why Foodbeast developed Ooze Fest in the first place. We’ve been through it all, having interrogated Jack-in-the-Box about their infamous Late Night Munchie Meals, and even ordered an unauthorized item off the In-n-Out “secret menu.” It’s about damn time we had our own festival, right? So, we’ll be completely changing the game when it comes to cheeses, because as of this moment, 18 different food vendors will be offering Ooze Fest attendees the chance to try a completely new and unique cheese dish which they’ve taken time to craft and create over a period of weeks. Oh, there’ll also be craft beer for you to drink to your heart’s content. So without further ado, check out this preview of the cheesy delicacies you’ll soon be devouring..
NOTE: This covers a majority of our vendors, but some are choosing to debut an item at the festival. Vendors also subject to last minute changes.
Blackmarket Bakery: Pumpkin Whoopie Pie with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Mousse
The Blackmarket Bakery’s ‘Ooze-worthy’ Whoopie Pie might just go down in history as one of the greatest whoopie pies to ever exist. Not only does it contain a one-of-a-kind cinnamon cream cheese mousse, but it’s also comprised of classic fall flavors like pumpkin and spices! Certainly a game changer for the first-ever Ooze Fest.
The Cellar Cheese Shop
No doubt The Cellar Cheese Shop will be bringing their A-game to our cheese-centered festival. With spots located in Anaheim, San Clemente, and Costa Mesa, these folks are certainly no strangers when it comes to cheese. Additionally, their “Cheesemongers” ensure that the quality and taste of their cheeses are top priority.
Chapter One
Located on Broadway in beautiful Santa Ana, Chapter One restaurant specializes in catering to the “modern local” by putting their own “playful twist” on classic dishes. Chapter One also strives to take advantage of locally grown produce and seasonal fares in addition to exploring the best beers, wines, and spirits around the world. We can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store for Ooze Fest!
Crow Bar and Kitchen: Taleggio Tarragon Mouse Arancini, with Pear Relish
Crow Bar will be taking a classic Sicilian creation and adding their own cheesy twist with their soon-to-be-debuted Taleggio Tarragon Arancini. These fried rice balls contain a special pear relish, tarragon herb, as well as aromatic taleggio cheese. Gourmet has never tasted so comforting.
Dos Chinos: Butter Pecan Ice Cream W/ Lime Chili Nuts, Frosted Flakes & Cheddar Cheese
#oozefest mofo’s! #doschinos faux fried #Mexican #icecream with #toasted #cornflakes #sharpcheddar #nacho #cheese topped with crushed #chilinlime #peanuts WHAT? A photo posted by Hop Phan (@doschinos) on
I have no idea what Dos Chinos is doing, and I can’t wait to try it.
FOODBEAST Presents Booth: Pizza Fries
We can’t throw a food festival without being a part of it. We just couldn’t resist. And we had to bring the realness, because well, have you seen the rest of these items?! French Fries. Tomato Sauce. Mozzarella cheese. Pepperoni. What else do you need to know? Watch the video here.
Front Porch Pops: Brie Ice Cream Bar & Truffle White Cheddar Popcorn
If your tongue happens to need a cooldown in the heat of all the cheesy Ooze action, you can always turn to Front Porch Pops! Pops will be in attendance serving a select amount of their coveted handmade ice pops, which are made with real fruit and fresh dairy products.
GD Bro Truck: Girthy Jalapeño Cream Cheese Stuffed Patty Burger With Mozzarella Buns 
Food Network’s GD Bro Truck is set to be delivering some intensely delicious burgers come this Ooze Fest! Their creative concoction is rightly called a Girthy Jalapeño Cream Cheese Stuffed Patty, served with a generous drizzling of their Signature Chipotle Mayo and within Deep Fried Mozzarella Buns.
The Grilled Cheese Truck: Fully Loaded Cheesy Mac & Rib Melt 
You may have had the privilege of sampling the Grilled Cheese Truck as it’s bounced around Southern California, but wait until you’ve tried their brand spankin’ new Fully Loaded Cheesy Mac & Rib Melt at Ooze Fest! And we mean fully loaded, with delicious Southern-style mac and sharp cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and smoked BBQ pork that’ll have you chasing after the truck on hand and foot long after Ooze Fest is over.
Grits Fullerton: Pollo Fundido Fried Chicken Skin Chips 
Cripsy, cheesy, and meaty, the Pollo Fundido Fried Chicken Skin Chips from Grits Fullerton bring an unexpected twist to this year’s Ooze Fest. They’re made with ground pickled pork belly, gruyere and white cheddar fundido, most definitely putting the “fun” in fundido.
Ink Waffles: Cheese Cotton Candy
We don’t have an image yet, but if this is built anything like our hopes and dreams – aliens and higher beings probably exist too.
The Iron Press: Crispy Waffle Nachos with Gorgonzola 
Beer and waffles are essentially the heart and soul of The Iron Press, which means we can expect big things from their team at this year’s Ooze Fest. Their unique dish consists of crispy waffle fries garnished with Gorgonzola cheese sauce and crumbles, Harissa-Spiced fried mozzarella balls, and topped with sliced scallions and rendered smoked bacon bits.
La Sriracha Racha: Mexican Spicy Racha Cheesecake Ice Cream Churro Sandwich 
Mexican Spicy Racha Cheesecake Ice Cream Churro Sandwich—these eight words alone should be pretty self-explanatory and more than enough to get your mouth watering, but just in case, we’ll break it down for you. This handheld creation is brought to you by La Sriracha Racho (by LA Culinary Inc.) and consists of creamy cheesecake ice cream sandwiched together between two beds of interwoven, spicy-sweet churros. I guess dreams really do come true!
Little Sparrow: “Take Me Back to My Youth” Sandwich 
Indian Fry bread with bone marrow, mac and cheese, gourmet nachos, jalapeño cheese and a mozzarella stick—yes, this will definitely take us back to our youth, back to when we could eat anything we wanted without a care in the world, but essentially we still can! Why not indulge yourself in Little Sparrow’s incredible “Take Me Back to My Youth?”
Ninjas with Appetite: Teriyaki Pizza-dilla
Ninjas with Appetite are well-known for their insanely mouthwatering teriyaki sauce, but their Ooze Fest specialty “Teriyaki Pizzadilla” is one for the books. To sum things up, this beauty is essentially “a pizza and quesadilla hybrid filled to the brim with cheese, teriyaki chicken, steak, scallions, sriracha, and of course, more CHEESE.” You won’t want to miss out on this NWA goodness. ONLY AVAILABLE during the 5PM-9PM session. See video here.
Shuck Oyster Bar: Apple Cheese Empanada 
Though the Shuck Oyster Bar is renowned for their amazing selection of seafood, they can also make a mean empanada! They’ve even created an Apple Cheese Empanada exclusively for Ooze Fest—it’s tossed in warm cinnamon sugar and served with caramel and vanilla ice cream, a perfect treat for taking full advantage of the fall season.
Slaters 50/50: Beer Cheese Chili Burger & Fried Mac and Cheese Cake 
If it wasn’t enough that Foodbeast was delivering both great beer and tasty cheese dishes to Ooze Fest, SoCal natives will be ecstatic to learn that Slaters 50/50 will be making an appearance as well to showcase beer-inspired dishes: The Beercheese Chili Burger will feature Brandt beef, BBQ-spice rubbed bacon, Guinness bacon chili, Racer 5 IPA beer cheese, and kettle chips all on a thick brioche bun—what better way to honor Ooze Fest’s guests of honor? Pair your burger with a side of Slaters’ Fried Mac and Cheese Cake with tapatio ranch.
Slapfish: Lobster Mascarpone Beignets
It’s never too early to start practicing for @foodbeast @oozefest. Pictured here our Lobster Beignets with mascarpone cheese!!! More trials to come this week! @dailyfoodfeed @tryitordiet #foodbeast #foodporn #lobster #oozefest @100eats @chefdispensa07 @moxxe A photo posted by Chef Andrew Gruel (@andrewgruel) on
Legends of the Orange County seafood scene, Slapfish are known for their freshness when it comes to flavors, fish, and food, as well as maintaining a fresh perspective on creating a sustainable and down-to-earth environment for their guests. First time Slapfishers will be able to see and taste this in their creamy, cheesy stuffed Lobster Mascarpone Beignets, which are to be served at Ooze Fest.
SOCIAL Costa Mesa: Deviled Duck Ham & Pimento Cheese Pocket Pastry
…aka the “Duck Fat Hot Pocket.” This beautiful puff pastry is filled with juicy bits of cured duck ham, smoked onion jam, and features zesty Pimento cheese—a Southern classic! We’ve got Executive Chef Jeffrey Boullt and SOCIAL to thank for this savory masterpiece.
Torch S’mores Company
Another resident of our beloved 4th Street Market, Torch S’mores Company will be sharing a prime version of their signature s’mores sandwiches, with a cheesy surprise! You can expect that Torch will be bringing the heat.
BEER
32 North – Special Pennant Pale – 5.5% ABV
This golden, San Diego style Pale Ale packs citrus and tangerine notes and aromas that will leave your both your nose and tastebuds tingling. Additionally, its Mandarina Bavaria and Waimea hops and sessional bitterness work to create a truly unique and clean ale.
Ballast Point – Dead Ringer Oktoberfest 6 % ABV
Ballast Point’s Dead Ringer Oktoberfest is a lager whose conception was influenced by traditional Märzens typically found at Bavaria’s Gäubodenvolksfest beer festival. With a gorgeous dark reddish brown color, aromatic flavors of caramel toffee and toasted malt, and lower hop bitterness, this autumn brew is sure to warm your heart and pair well with any cheese dish at Ooze Fest.
Bottle Logic Brewing – Pumpkin Pi
Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove allspice—all key ingredients for the makings of a spectacular seasonal pie, as well as the Pumpkin Pi ale from Bottle Rocket Brewing! Bottle Rocket says the balance of spices “..adds a nice depth of holiday flavor” to their pie-inspired Abby malted ale.
Good Beer Co – Painted Lady – 7.0% ABV
A Belgian-style blond from our next door neighbors in Downtown Santa Ana. Brandon and team will definitely not disappoint. The beer is currently on tap and in the tasting room.
Green Flash – Bullet Triple IPA – 10.1% ABV
With the Bullet Triple IPA, Green Flash set out to utilize unique ingredients like Pacific Gem from New Zealand and Green Bullet hops in order to craft an unforgettable beer. The bold, spicy pine and citrus flavors of Green Bullet combined with Pacific Gem keep the taste of the finished product balanced yet adventurous.
Laguna Beach Brew – Canyon Road Red – 5.5% ABV
The Canyon Road Red Ale of Laguna Beach Brew contains less malt and more hops, and brims with local flavor. Red-Heads and Hop-Heads, you won’t want to miss on this knockout of a brew!
Roughdraft – Grapefruit Weekday – 4.8% ABV
Roughdraft’s Grapefruit Weekday IPA may be perfect for a post-work cooldown, but it’s just as perfect for Ooze Fest! This refreshing brew is graced with Citra and Simcoe hops and flavors of grapefruits, and will get along just fine with your choice cheese dish.
Hangar 24, Portland Cider, Allagash, Beach City Brewing, Bravery, Four Sons, Saint Archer, & Speakeasy – TBD
