Foodies Eat First

In the heart of the Midwest, where barbecue ribs smoke under open skies and toasted ravioli reigns supreme, a new chapter in culinary history unfolded this past August. Foodies Eat First Fest, the brainchild of local influencer and food enthusiast Braden Toweled (better known as @BradENSTL on Instagram), transformed the Tech Artists building at 401 Pine Street into a gastronomic wonderland. Over two sweltering summer days—August 16 and 17, 2025—this inaugural event drew thousands of eager eaters, blending St. Louis’ beloved local flavors with national surprises. It wasn’t just a festival; it was a manifesto for food lovers: eat boldly, discover fearlessly, and let your taste buds lead the way.

https://covum.xyz/Foodies As the current date marks September 25, 2025, the buzz from the fest lingers like the aftertaste of a perfect pastrami sandwich. Attendees raved about the air-conditioned indoor-outdoor setup (90% indoors to dodge the heat), live DJ sets, surprise pop-ups, and a lineup of over 30 vendors—90% local—that showcased everything from smash burgers to caviar bumps. If you’re a self-proclaimed foodie plotting your next adventure, this recap is your roadmap. We’ll explore the festival’s origins, standout moments, pro tips for future feasts, and why .https://covum.xyz/ Louis is the unsung hero of American cuisine. Buckle up (or loosen your belt)—this 2,200-word journey is served family-style.

The Genesis of Foodies Eat First: From Instagram Feed to Festival Phenomenon

Foodies Every great feast starts with a spark. For Braden Tewolde, that spark ignited years ago amid the pixelated glow of his smartphone screen. A St. Louis native with a knack for storytelling, Tewolde built a following of over 100,000 on Instagram by chronicling the city’s under-the-radar bites—from late-night pho joints to farm-to-table pop-ups. “Food has always been my love language,” he shared in a pre-fest interview with Sauce Magazine. “But St. Louis festivals felt stale—too hot, too crowded, too predictable. I wanted to create something electric, like a music fest but for your mouth.”

The idea Foodies during a rainy afternoon in 2024, when Tewolde hosted a holiday pop-up called Avalanche at Midtown’s Work & Leisure. The event sold out in hours, proving St. Louis craved curated culinary chaos. By early 2025, Foodies Eat First Fest was born: a weekend-long ode to discovery, with multiple timed sessions (brunch, lunch, dinner) to keep lines short and vibes high. Tickets, starting at $45 for general admission, flew off the digital shelves via the official site foodieseatfirst.com.https://covum.xyz/

What set it apart? Intention. Tewolde handpicked vendors not just for their food, but for their stories. “We’re not slinging samples; we’re serving experiences,” he explained. The fest aligned perfectly with a Yankees series at Busch Stadium, luring out-of-towners with a New York twist: the debut of iconic Katz’s Delicatessen, famed for its towering pastrami on rye. As one X user tweeted post-event, “Shout out to @foodieseatfirstfest for making downtown STL the place to be—indoors was genius in this heat!”

This wasn’t Tewolde’s first rodeo in elevating local talent. His feeds have spotlighted rising stars like the team behind Menya Rui’s ramen empire and the mixologists at 4 Hands Brewing Co. By channeling that energy into a physical space, he bridged the gap between online hype and real-world indulgence. The result? A festival that felt personal, not corporate—much like scrolling through a friend’s drool-worthy stories.

A Weekend Unwrapped: Highlights from Day One and Two

Saturday, August 16, dawned sticky and promising. The Tech Artista venue—a sleek, industrial space in downtown St. Louis—buzzed from 10 a.m. onward. Brunch sessions kicked off with sunshine streaming onto the rooftop terrace, where attendees sipped mimosas from local distilleries while nibbling Clementine’s Creamy Dreamy Ice Cream scoops infused with Midwestern berries. By noon, the air-conditioned main hall thrummed with laughter and the sizzle of griddles .https://www.bing.com/search?q=A+Weekend

Day one’s crown jewel? The smash burger showdown at Smash Em’s Burger Bar. Juicy patties, smashed thin and topped with caramelized onions and house-made pickles, vanished faster than free samples at a Costco demo Foodies Nearby, The Biscuit Joint elevated Southern comfort with fluffy biscuits slathered in pimento cheese and hot honey— a nod to St. Louis’ soulful roots. “It was like a hug from Grandma, but spicier,” quipped one TikTok reviewer in a viral clip.

As evening fell, the energy shifted to dinner sessions. Live DJs spun tracks from local artists, syncing beats with bites. A surprise pop-up from 801 Chophouse offered wagyu sliders paired with caviar bumps—decadent dollops of sturgeon roe on blini, a $20 VIP exclusive that had influencers lining up for the ‘gram. Katz’s Deli stole the show, though, with lines snaking for their legendary pastrami: hand-carved, fatty, and served on rye so soft it melted. “NYC in STL—who knew?” posted @annacarwile.stl on TikTok, capturing the cross-country fusion.

Throughout, the fest pulsed with community. Art installations from St. Louis creators dotted the space, and merch drops—limited-edition tees emblazoned with “Eat First, Ask Questions Later”—sold out by midday. FOX 2’s Tim Ezell previewed the chaos on air, calling it “a feast for the senses that St. Louis desperately needed.” By night’s end, over 5,000 tickets had been scanned, proving Tewolde’s vision resonated.

Standout Vendors: The Stars Who Fed the Masses

No festival thrives without its headliners, and Foodies Eat First delivered a constellation of culinary talent. Here’s a curated shortlist of vendors that had us licking our fingers (and plates):

1. Katz’s Delicatessen: The Big Apple Transplant

Hailing from New York’s Lower East Side since 1888, Katz’s brought its pastrami prowess to the Gateway City Foodies Attendees raved about the $18 sandwiches—tender, spice-rubbed brisket stacked high with mustard and rye. “Worth the hype and the hype,” tweeted one fan. Fun fact: This debut tied into the Yankees-Cardinals series, blending baseball rivalry with deli delight.

2. Smash Em’s Burger Bar: Juicy Innovation Central

Local fave Smash Em’s turned smash burgers into an art form. Their festival special? A double patty with American cheese, special sauce, and pickle chips, clocking in at under 300 calories per sinful bite. Over 2,000 were served—evidence that simple done right trumps fancy every time.

3. Menya Rui: Ramen Royalty

St. Louis’ ramen overlords dished out silky tonkotsu and spicy miso bowls, customized with add-ons like chashu pork or veggie toppings. “Soul-warming in 95-degree heat? Magic,” shared a podcast recap from Mostly Superheroes.

5. 4 Hands Brewing Co. & Mixology Masters

Not all stars were solid—liquids shone too. 4 Hands poured hazy IPAs and sours, while guest mixologists whipped up craft cocktails like the “First Bite Fizz,” a gin-based elixir with elderflower and lemon.

Beyond the Plate: Cocktails, Vibes, and the Heart of Community

VIP perks elevated the experience: early access, exclusive dishes (like truffle fries from a secret vendor), and meet-and-greets with chefs. “It felt inclusive yet exclusive—like crashing a friend’s epic dinner party,” noted a LinkedIn recap from attendee Julius B. Anthony.

The real magic? Community. X threads overflowed with shoutouts: “90% local vendors—STL pride on full blast!” from @in_thestl. It wasn’t just eating; it was connecting—foodies swapping stories over shared plates, influencers collaborating on content, and newcomers discovering why St. Louis punches above its weight in flavor.

St. Louis: Why the Gateway City is Foodie Nirvana

To understand Foodies Eat First‘s triumph, zoom out to St. Louis’ culinary canvas. This river city, once synonymous with provel cheese pizza, has exploded into a hotspot for innovation. From immigrant-owned spots like Indo (Indonesian fusion) to James Beard nominees like Elaia, STL blends heartland heartiness with global flair.

The fest amplified this. By featuring 90% local talent, it spotlighted unsung heroes: the Syrian bakers at Beirut Sweet Shop, the soul food slingers at Mac’s Local Eats. As Explore St. Louis put it, the event “reimagines what a food festival can be.”

Pro Tips: How to Festival Like a True Foodie

Missed the 2025 edition? Fear not—2026 teases Spring and Fall dates at Trust STL. Here’s how to maximize your next bite:

1. Time It Right: Opt for off-peak sessions (e.g., 11 a.m. brunch) to beat crowds.
2. Dress the Part: Stretchy pants mandatory; bring a portable charger for photo ops.
3. Hydrate and Pace: Alternate bites with water—those caviar bumps pack a salty punch.
4. Engage Vendors: Chat with chefs; many share off-menu secrets.
5. Go VIP: For $75+, unlock exclusives like chef demos.

Looking Ahead: The Future Tastes Bright

Whether you’re a die-hard devotee or casual grazer, festivals like this remind us: Food isn’t just fuel; it’s folklore. Eat first, savor always.