Haywood County’s thriving food and beverage scene will be on full display at the upcoming 12th annual Melange of the Mountains, planned for Thursday, March 10.
Small bites: MANNA FoodBank packs its millionth book bag with weekend food
MANNA FoodBank will deliver its millionth weekend food pack to a local student; Table will explore the many Mexican moles at an upcoming dinner event; Medea’s Espresso & Juice Bar is offering a fermentation workshop; and an A-B Tech culinary arts graduate is advancing to a national-level competition.
Outside the heart-shaped box: A tasty Valentine’s Day beyond dinner for two
Asheville-area restaurants, breweries, bakeries and wineries are dreaming up Valentine’s Day offerings to satisfy a smorgasbord of sensibilities and budgets.
Small bites: Luella’s opens second location in South Asheville
Luella’s Bar-B-Que will duplicate its pork-purveying efforts with a new location in Biltmore Park; Asheville Wine & Food Festival has announced its first Asheville Cocktail Week; Local Provisions is serving Italian wines with the flavors of winter at a pairing dinner; and The Hop Ice Creamery is celebrating its first year with free kiddie scoops for all.
Sip & Smoke: Post 70 Indulgence Bar series focuses on cigars and strong spirits
At Filo’s cocktail lounge, bartender Courtney Nelson brings together cigars and fine liquors for a unique learning (and tasting) opportunity the last Wednesday of each month.
The well-tempered tipple: Curating quality liquor menus in Asheville
As Asheville’s craft cocktail scene gradually comes of age, some local bars are focusing on building sizable and varied liquor selections.
Small bites: Arancini transforms into a wine bar
Shortly after opening, West Asheville newcomer Arancini morphed from a fast-casual Italian eatery to a wine bar; Fifth Season Gardening Co.’s event schedule now includes Friday evening beer samplings plus monthly fundraisers for local nonprofits; Living Web Farms’ Patryk Battle teaches gardeners to increase tomato yields through grafting; and Isa’s Bistro offers a beer dinner and weekly discounted wines.
Winter warmers: Comforting drinks for Asheville’s chilly season
From sipping chocolates to cayenne-infused coffees, Asheville businesses are whipping up warming drinks to chase away the winter blues.
Simran Sethi revisits Asheville’s ‘grain-to-loaf’ wheat movement during book release events
Sethi’s book warns readers that a slow erosion of food biodiversity could affect beloved staples like coffee, chocolate, wine and bread. The author returns to Asheville, where she interviewed several members of local food-supply chains, for two tasting events during her book release tour.
Spirited business: The growth of microdistilleries
The number of craft distilleries is growing in North Carolina, with a few artisans just outside the Asheville area producing aged spirits that are finding their into WNC cocktail bars.
Thirsty Monk plans third annual New Year’s Eve Keg Drop
The two-story descent of a golden, illuminated beer keg will help ring in 2016 in South Asheville.
Small bites: Giving tastes good at Appalachian Vintner
A silent auction at Appalachian Vintner raises money for local charities; a grant allows the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project to coordinate a conference on farm-to-school programs; the Biltmore Estate adds a new restaurant; and Season’s at Highland Lake offers a Christmas Eve buffet.
Spirits of the season: Cocktails to bring good cheer to the home bar
Some of Asheville’s best craft cocktail artists provide inspiration for festive tippling.
THE BLOCK off biltmore to host vegan Christmas potluck
A plant-based community potluck party on Christmas Day aims to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for those in need of holiday cheer.
Thanksgiving wine pairing ideas from Asheville experts
Whether your preference swings to white or red, four Asheville oenophiles have suggestions for perfect wines to grace the Thanksgiving table.
In photos: Taste of Asheville 2015
Asheville Independent Restaurants presented its annual foodie kick off to the holiday season Thursday with the 2015 Taste of Asheville.
Of time and the city: Issues facing Asheville in Wolfe’s youth mirror today’s concerns
Asheville and environs have seen considerable change in the 77 years since Wolfe’s death, yet many of the aspects he wrote (and sometimes fumed) about seem uncannily familiar. And as current residents ponder the challenges the city faces today, a look at several of the celebrated author’s key themes might prove instructive.
Small bites: Oskar Blues Big Money Chili-onaire cook-off promotes ‘do-goodery’
Oskar Blues’ CAN’d Aid Foundation is seeking competitive talents for its chili cook-off in Brevard. Meanwhile, FEAST and Asheville Middle School team up for a pie fundraiser; MetroWines’ Anita Riley invites two women behind Hi-Wire Brewing’s branding to the shop; Smiling Hara Tempeh’s Hempeh makes its way to grocery shelves; and Lex 18 hosts an Appalachian-themed evening.
At the controls: The ABCs of alcohol regulation
Alcohol Law Enforcement and the Asheville Alcoholic Beverage Control board have been in the spotlight in recent months due to high-profile stories that centered around citations issued at local beer festivals and breweries. Take a closer look at these agencies and their respective roles.
Small bites: CiderFest NC
CiderFest brings local and regional hard ciders together for a third year. Plus, Ashley English stops into Asheville to lead a lesson on DIY dairy; The Hop West celebrates five years with free ice cream for all; and Season’s at Highland Lake welcomes executive chef Steve Boeger to the kitchen.
CiderFest NC competition results
In a recent blind tasting, two panels of judges from the French Broad Vignerons determined the top hard ciders for this year’s CiderFest NC competition.