Eat your heart out during the Cherry Creek Arts Festival

Ready, set, sizzle! You know that summer is in full swing when the sun beats down on the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, which kicks of his three-day crowd erupted tonight at 7 pm on Clayton Street between Second and Third Avenues. The annual event draws crowds grubniks and arty-farty types score at the booth of visual and performing artist exhibits, Chinese yoga, tai chi and Zumba on Fillmore Plaza, and a cultural pavilion that will help kick-off of the 2010 Biennale of Americas.

But while the title promises the "art", this festival provides really eat with a culinary demonstration stage this year, the kitchen kernel Elise Wiggins (Panzano), Jeff Bolton (Second Home), Brendon Doyle (Jonesy's EatBar function) Robert Diaz (Mezcal), Andrew Lubatty (Avenue Grill), students of the culinary curriculum at the Art Institute of Colorado, and the dynamic Denver FIVE - Chef Troy Guard (TAG), Tyler Wiard (Elway's Cherry Creek), Matt Selby (Vesta Dipping Grill and Steuben's), Jamey Fader (Lola and Big Red F Restaurant Group) and Brian Laird (Barolo Grill).

Foodophiles can also fill their bellies along Culinary Avenue, an anthology of 22 restaurants, sweet shops and caterers by Caribbean cuisine, India House, Saigon and chickpeas savory Mediterranean Grill covers. It is the epicenter of the cuisines from around the world, "said Carol Hiller, culinary manager for the festival. The festival is free - but eat and drink.