An increasingly popular national model, hospitality and restaurant groups typically invest in and support chefs or restaurateurs with big dreams and small budgets in opening new concepts or growing an original location into multiple stores.
What’s new in food: Archetype wins big in New York International Beer Competition
Archetype Brewing wins N.C. Belgian Brewery of the Year, plus a new hemp cafe, Lasagna Love and new local alcohol choices at Mother Earth Food.
Carolina Beer Guy: Breweries join recycling co-op
To help reduce industry waste, Sierra Nevada has partnered with American Recycling of Western North Carolina to create the WNC Brewery Recycling Cooperative, a drop-off site in Candler.
What’s new in food: Chefs bring on the funk in dance off fundraiser
In this week’s food news, a Food Connection dance challenge, new bakery developments and a hot-chicken discount for healthcare workers.
Local commerce organizations adapt to pandemic
While much attention has been paid to the struggles of individual businesses that have borne the economic brunt of the pandemic, Asheville’s business organizations, which provide a critical framework for entrepreneurs to network, collaborate and market their wares, have also taken a hit.
BrightFarms grows hydroponic greens in new Henderson County greenhouse
The 280,000-square-foot structure will produce over 2 million pounds of leafy salad greens a year to be shipped daily to local retailers.
What’s new in food: Asheville plans a nutritional food hub
Asheville Parks and Recreation surveys residents for a new wellness-focused food hub, April is Food Waste Reduction Month, Ivory Road Café & Kitchen hosts Macarons & Mimosas, and more local food news.
Carolina Beer Guy: Brew fest returns with new look
Hi-Wire Brewing’s N.C. Small Batch Beer Festival returns with a different look. Also, new releases, reopenings and expansions.
Tailgate markets use 2020 hindsight to roll out fresh plans for 2021
After a mad scramble to reinvent themselves last spring, WNC’s neighborhood tailgate markets look ahead to the 2021 growing seaso
WNC Food Justice Planning Initiative collaborates for system change
The initiative has identified six strategies: healthy food distribution, community gardens, agriculture networks, food waste, cooking and nutrition education, and the development of a regional food council.
Spring brings new opportunities for local restaurants and food companies
We Give a Share plans to increase its capacity, Cúrate Spanish Wine Club hosts a series of virtual wine tastings and cooking demos and chef Susi Gott Séguret relaunches her popular Madison County foraging and dining expeditions, plus more local food news.
What’s new in food: Healthy eats, tasty treats, riverside dining
In this week’s local food news, chefs Eric Morris and Daniel Rider bring farm-fresh breakfast to the ASAP Farmers Market, Asheville Beauty Academy hosts Queen Mum High Tea, Summit Coffee opens a new location in the Grove Arcade and more.
Teaching kids to cook feeds culinary curiosity and builds confidence
Local chefs and cooking instructors offer tips for helping kids learn kitchen fundamentals.
Restaurateurs battered by the pandemic keep their dreams alive
Closing a restaurant is complicated, costly and emotional say three restaurateurs who made that difficult decision in 2020 and are still navigating the after effects and determining what’s next.
Restaurants reopen after winter sabbaticals
With spring just around the corner, restaurants are shaking off the dust from their winter breaks.
Carolina Beer Guy: Local breweries featured on Amazon Prime series ‘Crafted’ and other beer-related news
Bhramari Brewing Co., Green Man Brewery. Zillicoah Beer Co. and DSSOLVR will be featured in the second season of “Crafted,” a series on Amazon Prime and Facebook Watch. Also: Thirsty Thursday on hold; Capitalize the B campaign celebrates Black History Month; and more.
Commercial kitchens help food entrepreneurs realize their visions
Blue Ridge Food Ventures is the largest facility in the region offering rented kitchen, production and storage space. But several others have launched in recent years to help meet the needs and realize the dreams of Western North Carolina’s food and beverage visionaries.
Carolina Beer Guy: Hot Springs lands brewery, tacos
This past December, Big Pillow Brewing hosted its soft opening, making it the third craft brewery in Madison County, joining the Mad Co. Brew House in Marshal and the Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery in the restored Mars Hill Theatre in Mars Hill.
What’s new in food: Veggie tales, ungraped wine, Nani’s flies the coop and more
Handmade skirts highlighting locally grown foods, a new homegrown delivery service from Nani’s Rotisserie Chicken, a class on country winemaking, local nonprofit news and more.
Black chefs forge their own paths in Asheville’s food scene
The increased attention and plaudits paid to high-profile Black chefs in America in recent years simultaneously sheds ambient light on their overall scarcity.
What’s new in food: Wine, dine and eat more chocolate
From prix fixe dinners with a view to bonbons to heart-shaped dog biscuits, local businesses are offering tasty ways to say “I love you” for Valentine’s Day.