From garlic honey to garlic ice cream, attendees can expect a culinary adventure at the sixth annual WNC Garlic Fest. Also: Asheville Oktoberfest, Bears Bees + Brews, Cooking with Plants culinary class and more in this week’s Small Bites
Adventure is on the menu at WNC restaurants
Some local restaurants push culinary boundaries, with palate-challenging dishes like cricket tacos, mustard ice cream, liver pudding and more.
Everything in Moderation: The cider side of sipping
Local cideries apply creativity to the fruit of Western North Carolina’s abundant apple harvests.
Small bites: Asheville Coffee Expo returns to the RAD
Baristas, roasters and coffee shop owners unite for the fourth annual Asheville Coffee Expo. Also: BeLoved Asheville celebrates Puerto Rican culture and cuisine; Sunflower Diner hosts a grand opening celebration; and more in this week’s Small Bites.
A look at the resilience of Asheville’s legacy restaurants
In the restaurant industry, success rates can be shockingly low. Yet there are a handful of eateries in Asheville that have stood the test of time.
Small bites: Goombay brings it back to The Block
Goombay Celebration looks to honor The Block during this year’s festivities. Also: Fiesta Hendersonville returns; Chai Pani turns 10; White Moon introduces evening hours; and more in this week’s Small Bites.
Asheville chefs reflect on figs
Although they aren’t actually a fruit, figs are a late-summer favorite in dishes both sweet and savory.
Pastry chefs step into the culinary spotlight
“For many years, the stereotype was if you were a woman in the kitchen, you would do pastry, and that was seen as a lesser thing. That perception still lingers, but I think it is changing,” says James Beard Foundation Award-winning pastry chef and Asheville native Camille Cogswell.
Small bites: PubCorps promotes volunteerism in Beer City
PubCorps, a new local nonprofit, launches with a volunteer event at the Asheville Masonic Temple. Also: Metro Wine hosts a Spanish tapas dinner; The Bountiful Bonanza of Bitters comes to Villagers; Looking Glass Creamery leads a cheese pairing event; and plenty more in this week’s Small Bites.
Small bites: Chow Chow culinary festival prepares for its debut
Chow Chow: An Asheville Culinary Event, runs Sept. 12-15. Also: Girls Gone Wine; Mr. Sushi comes to Merrimon; Monk’s Flask debuts new menu; and more in this week’s Small bites.
Everything in Moderation: Plēb urban winery celebrates its first year during N.C. Wine Month
The NC Wine Guys will help plēb urban winery celebrate its birthday and kick off N.C. Wine Month with a live podcast from the winery on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Panaderias feed WNC’s appetite for traditional Mexican baked goods
From conchas to cemitas, Western North Carolina’s Latino bakeries craft a huge variety of pastries, breads and more.
Small bites: Shanghai Dumpling House opens on Biltmore Ave.
Shanghai Dumpling House is one of the latest restaurants to open downtown, taking over the former site of Doc Chey’s Noodle House. Also: RosaBees opens in the RAD, Inconceivable Cafe opens in Hendersonville and more in the latest Small bites.
Beer Scout: New laws allow two-drink orders and pets in NC taprooms
Owners of Green Man, Wedge and Whistle Hop discuss the new rule changes prior to their Sept. 1 implementation.
Q+A with chef Amber Whitt of the Princess Anne Hotel
Only in her early 20s, the chef has a flair for whimsical pastry and a soft heart for mentoring young people.
Small bites: The Bier Garden celebrates 25 years
The Bier Garden hosts a seafood boil to celebrate its 25 year anniversary. Also: TreeRock Social Cider House and Appalachian Chic Food Truck team up for slider and cider pairing; chef Witt Pinkerton hosts a pop-up at Doc Brown’s BBQ; The Lord’s Acre rebrands; and plenty more in this week’s Small Bites.
Small bites: ASAP’s Local Food Experience returns
Entering its fourth year, ASAP’s Local Food Experience returns to New Belgium Brewing Co. on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 6-8:30 p.m. Also: Hole Doughnuts hosts book signing; Soverign Remedies teams up with OWL Bakery; and more.
News Briefs: Buncombe maintains state’s lowest unemployment, bat fungus spotted in Madison County
Buncombe did see its unemployment tick up from the 2.8% April rate; the May rate was also higher than the 2.8% reported for the same month last year. However, the Department of Commerce noted that all of the state’s other metro areas also saw rate increases, and the Asheville metro area actually added about 1,900 nonfarm jobs in May.
Small bites: Ole Shakey’s hosts dog show
Greatest grin, sickest trick and bodacious booty are among the categories at Ole Shakey’s Best in Show dog competition. Also: Punk Rock Hot Dog Challenge; Brews, bears and wine; and more.
Tailgate markets seed bountiful relationships between farmers and chefs
Deep bonds forged between local farmers and chefs at area markets feed Asheville’s culinary creativity.
Small bites: Our Global Table celebrates international cuisine
Our Global Table celebrates cultural diversity while raising funds for Pisgah Legal Services. Also: Independence Day celebrations; an amateur bake off; and more.