Smorgasbord

Dishcrawl launches in Asheville

Can’t decide where to eat dinner? Don’t.

Dishcrawl, a food tourism service, will choose for you. The San Jose-based company launched an Asheville branch last month. The tour takes groups to four restaurants, three of which are kept secret until they arrive.

Each restaurant serves three tasting dishes. (Vegetarian options are available.) Tickets cost $45 (although that price doesn’t include drinks).

At the first Dishcrawl, the group visited The Green Room, Laurey’s, Strada Italiano and Chestnut.

While Dishcrawl has locations in more than 100 cities throughout the country, the Asheville tours are organized and led by local Chris Alexander.

The next dining tour takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit dishcrawl.com/asheville.

Feasting for FEAST raises money for food education

Sometimes, helping others takes patience, diligence and hard work. But in the case of Slow Food Asheville’s Feasting for FEAST fundraiser, eating is about all that’s required.

All that dining raises money for one of Slow Food’s educational program, FEAST (Fresh Easy Affordable Sustainable Tasty), which serves 800 school children in Buncombe County every year. The curriculum shows students how to incorporate fresh ingredients into their meals.

Feasting for FEAST takes place Thrursday, Sept. 12, from 6-9 p.m. More than a dozen restaurants, breweries and wine shops will provide samples. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $35 at the door. For more tickets and more information, visit feast.slowfoodasheville.org.

Harris Teeter brings 24-hour grocery to Asheville

It’s been nearly three years since Harris Teeter announced its Asheville location. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the store opens for business.

After the 8 a.m. ribbon cutting, all 45,000 square feet of grocery glory will welcome Asheville consumers.

The press release promises “high-quality perishables” and a “hot Asian bar” in addition to a salad bar, sub shop, hot foods bar and a small seating area.

Can’t get enough of Harris Teeter? The Matthews-based chain’s ice cream truck will set up outside the store on Sept. 20-22.

Harris Teeter, 136 Merrimon Ave., opens 24 hours a day, every day.

Glossy pages for Asheville food

The eye of the national press has turned to Asheville once again — or maybe it’s always here. Whatever the case, local food producers and restaurants are getting ink around the nation.

French Broad Chocolates and Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon, a Waynesville-based preserves company, have been nominated for the 2013 Martha Stewart American Made Contest.

Winners are determined by a public vote. They receive a $10,000 cash prize and a photo shoot for Martha Stewart Living.

Vote through Friday, Sept. 13, at marthastewart.com/americanmade.

Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon is also featured in the September issue of Food & Wine magazine. The editors’ top 10 list highlights the company’s roasted red pepper and peach jam.

Chai Pani’s Atlanta location, which opened in March, has attracted gobs of media attention. Most recently, Atlanta magazine’s Bill Addison picked it as one of the 10 best new restaurants of the year. He’s prone to “stuffing [his] face full of Bombay chili cheese fries smothered in spiced lamb hash,” he admits.