Local bakers team up to kick off a sweet fundraising initiative on Dec. 20. Also in this week’s food news: Potential New Boyfriend opens in West Asheville, Mabel Bakery launches in Woodfin, The Malvern reopens and much more.
What’s new in food: WNC Tip it Forward
The collaborative initiative from Asheville Independent Restaurant Association, ArtsAVL and GBX Group aims to address immediate and long-term recovery for local food-service and creative sector workers. Also this week, Fish Night at Regina’s Westside, Cocktails with Kris Kringle, a sad farewell to Vivian, a new home for the RAD Farmers Market and much more.
What’s New in Food: Mattie Lou’s opens in former Geraldine’s Bakery space
The new bakery and café takes over the space recently vacated by Geraldine’s Bakery. Also in this week’s food news: Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food rolls again with a new truck, displaced Marquee beverage businesses forge new paths, a Slovenian wine dinner and much more.
Food distribution nonprofits provide post-Helene safety nets for WNC farms
Nonprofits dedicated to providing food to the community have relied on COVID-era programs and knowledge to help WNC’s farms survive the impact of Tropical Storm Helene.
What’s new in food: The Admiral names a new chef and partner
Leo’s House of Thirst executive chef Austin Inselmann is now overseeing the kitchens — and is a co-owner — at both restaurants, bringing some updates to The Admiral’s menu. Also in this week’s food news, Asheville Tea Company begins recovering from the loss of its building with Holiday Trio release, chef Ashleigh Shanti collaborates with Cúrate, Thanksgiving dinner options, a Pup Crawl Paw-liday in Hendersonville and more.
Make a bountiful, affordable post-Helene Thanksgiving dinner
A comforting Thanksgiving feast can be made with limited water, a couple of pots and pans and a few common items from the pantry and fridge.
Unstoppable: Advocating for food security
“With the storm’s impact, we anticipate a significant rise in food insecurity as more families and individuals turn to us and other community resources in the coming months,” says Micah Chrisman, director of marketing and communications of MANNA FoodBank.
What’s new in food: Foothills Meats prepares to open Skillet in landmark Black Mountain building
Skillet will open in late November with an affordable comfort food menu from former Cultura and Funkatorium chef Eric Morris. Also in this week’s food news: a farewell part for Bottle Riot, a Thanksgiving dinner fundraiser for Eblen Charities, Sippin’ Santa at the Tiki Easy Bar, holiday pies and much more.
Restaurants need potable water to operate, but at what cost?
Requiring a hefty up-front financial investment and ongoing rental and service fees, alternate water options are beyond the reach of many Asheville food and beverage businesses.
What’s new in food: Restaurants begin to reopen post-Helene
Asheville Independent Restaurants is supporting local food and beverage businesses through the transition. Also this week: Chef-made, take-home Thanksgiving meals; holiday bake sales; donate a local turkey; dining out for Project HOPE in Hendersonville and more local food news.
Women in Business: A sense of identity and belonging
“One thing I urge any aspiring entrepreneur to do is ask for help when there is something overwhelming them,” says Eva Rodriguez-Cué, owner of Haywood Famous.
Flooded before opening day, much-anticipated RAD restaurants seek high ground
Gourmand, Black Cat Sandwich Co. and ButterPunk were poised to open in the RAD when floodwaters set them adrift.
Ashleigh Shanti’s debut cookbook explores the South that shaped her
From Southern Appalachia to the Lowcountry, the celebrated Asheville chef’s first cookbook traces her life’s journey and the roots of her identity through food.
Fresh Dish: Camille Cogswell on baking stardom, legacy ovens and pie crust
The Asheville native talks about her James Beard Award, the events that brought her to Madison County, how to heat up a wood-fire brick oven and the secret to perfect pie dough.
Smart Bets: Knuckle Deep BBQ Fest
With its usual location destroyed by flooding, this year’s event moves to The Mule on Sweeten Creek Road.
Smart Bets: Pawpaw ice cream release
The Hop partners with Milkwood Meadows Farm and Asheville GreenWorks to highlight the underappreciated fruit.
Smart Bets: Highland Brewing’s Cold Mountain Release Weekend
In addition to the release of the much-loved winter ale, this year’s four days of events will feature a beer dinner, live music and more.
Jamie McDonald partners with World Central Kitchen on the South Slope
In the wake of the storm, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ transformed into the Asheville hub for the international meal distribution organization.
County provides road map for Asheville restaurants to reopen
Asheville restaurants can apply to reopen for business while they are without water due to Tropical Storm Helene. But some say the process of setting up a temporary water source is a nonstarter.
WNC’s brewing industry is down but not out
Asheville Brewers Alliance director Karis Roberts says amid the destruction of Tropical Storm Helene, local breweries are finding ways to collaborate and stay hopeful.
MANNA FoodBank rallies to rebuild food distribution
Despite the destruction of its East Asheville facility, Western North Carolina’s main hunger-relief hub is finding ways to serve the community. Also: updates from Equal Plates Project, WNC Food Systems Coalition, Food Connection and Asheville Independent Restaurants.