The eighth annual International Biscuit Festival took place Saturday, May 20^th in Knoxville, Tennessee. Named one of the best food festivals in the United States by National Geographic Traveler, the event didn’t disappoint biscuit enthusiasts.

“The Biscuit Festival and its related events consistently draw thousands from throughout the Southeast to celebrate the best of biscuits and Southern food culture,” says organizer John Craig, known at The Biscuit Boss.

Local restaurants and vendors showcased their biscuits to festival-goers in order to impress them and win the coveted People’s Choice Award. This year, that distinction went to Alex Belew Catering from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The Southern Cuisine specialist took home the prize with its Toffee Bread Pudding Biscuit creation.

In the Southern Biscuit Flour Biscuit Baking Contest, Kimberly Asbury was named the Grand Champion. Her Alabama Scotch Egg Biscuits defeated eleven other competitors and topped the Special category competition as well. Other category winners were Evie Braude in the student category, Conno Mathis in the savory category, and Alexis Durand in the sweet category.

Another big event that took place during the festival was the Southern Food Writing Conference, an intimate two-day conference gathering more than 100 of the nation's most respected journalists, magazine and digital editors, television producers, authors, chefs, and food enthusiasts to share personal stories and perspectives on writing, food, and Southern culture. It is considered one of the most engaged, insightful conferences for this community. This year, a “Taste of the South” Marketplace was added to provide conference attendees and participating brands an even higher quality experience.

The festival kicked off on Friday, May 19^th with The Biscuit Bash, a 300+ person book signing and live music experience with some of the best known cookbook authors and music artists in the Southeast.