Entering its seventh year, Asheville Restaurant Week begins Monday, Jan. 21. Also: Science Pub series returns; Chestnut hosts six-course wine dinner; Dobra Tea West Asheville leads a course on the history of tea; and plenty more.
Biz Briefs: Venture Asheville announces 2019 mentorship cohort
Sixteen Asheville-area startups will receive intensive personalized support from Venture Asheville as part of the entrepreneurship initiative’s Elevate program. Local business owners will be paired with successful company founders, executives and functional experts to help work through the challenges and opportunities of business growth.
Asheville chefs craft success at home and away
Four young chefs who got their start in Asheville culinary programs have achieved early success on both the local and national level.
Small bites: Ciao Asheville
Ciao Asheville: An Italian Cultural Forum launches on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at Metro Wines. Also: A Taste of Italy; Harvesting for the Community; Modernist Cuisine and more in this week’s Small Bites.
Local author shares mindfulness strategies in new book
Bryan Robinson, a licensed psychotherapist and professor emeritus at UNC Charlotte, wrote #Chill to leverage his expertise on work addiction for a broader audience. “[The book is] not just for workaholics by any means; it’s [about] how all of us can chill, take the time to take care of ourselves and pay attention to the knee-jerk reactions that we make,” he says.
Top Shelf Views: Asheville restaurant bars focus on dessert cocktails
When considering a dessert drink, “traditionally, most folks would probably think of a sweet cocktail,” says Jayson Landers, operating manager at Italian eatery Strada and its Social Lounge. “But there’s really a wide spectrum.”
Small bites: Will cycle for food justice
Gabriel Whitlock is raising funds and awareness for The Lord’s Acre, one mile at a time. Also: Green tea class and tasting; Asheville Wine Focus Group; and Monk’s Flask.
Year in review: Local media highlights
Local media operations mostly held their own in 2018. While the Citizen Times staff are now tenants in their historic building in downtown Asheville, the paper bagged first place for general excellence in a statewide competition (from which Xpress also brought home a plentiful array of awards). Learn what media expert Jon Elliston found notable on the local media scene in 2018.
Year in review: Notable Asheville food and drink events
In a city that’s always hopping with food and drink events, here are a few that stood out from 2018.
Year in review: Creative new cocktail bars
Several bars focusing on the creative end of mixed drinks opened in Asheville in 2018.
Small bites: Strada Italiano continues its New Year’s tradition
Feast of Seven Fishes returns to Strada Italiano. Also: New Year’s celebrations at Postero, Golden Fleece, Jargon and Rustic Grape Wine Bar. Meanwhile Punk Wok returns to Buxton Hall Barbecue.
Asheville’s independent restaurants donate millions of dollars annually to local charities
Data recently collected by the Asheville Independent Restaurants organization shows that WNC eateries contribute enormous amounts of money and time to the local community. But given the hospitality sector’s notoriously slim margins, how do these businesses manage to be so generous?
Asheville mindfulness practitioners discuss eating with intention
Mealtimes can offer the ideal setting for establishing or expanding a mindfulness practice.
Small bites: Bounty of Bethlehem
Bounty of Bethlehem continues its quest to provide a Christmas meal for residents in need. Also: O’Hole-y Night returns to Hole Doughnuts, Lookout Brewing Co. hosts Christmas Eve by Candlelight, The Cut Cocktail Lounge celebrates the holidays with a pair of special dinners and plenty more.
Top-shelf views: The sweet side of cocktail making
Making syrups for cocktails is a fun and forgiving process that encourages experimentation.
Carolina Beer Guy: Crowler or growler?
Local brewery representatives discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using glass growlers or aluminum Crowlers for on-demand packaged beer.
Asheville consumers, recyclers and grocers talk about food packaging
From reusing glass jars, to bulk shopping to bringing your own container for restaurant takeout and leftovers, locals are finding strategies for cutting down on food packaging.
Local garden supply stores keep Asheville growing
Grigg Sheffield, owner of L.O.T.U.S Urban Farm and Garden Supply, opened his shop 6 years ago and says that the biggest trend he sees is that the consumer base is more educated, curious and knowledgeable. “There’s a big move towards understanding what’s in your food and how it’s grown,” he says.
Niche markets: Asheville is fertile ground for growing specialty food shops
Three local specialty food shop owners agree that Asheville offers a friendly environment for starting and growing unique, food-focused businesses.
Small Bites: The Hop heads to Black Mountain
This week, The Hop Ice Cream gets set to open a new store in Black Mountain, Chow Chow: An Asheville Culinary Festival is on the calendar for September 2019, Bold Rock Hard Cider celebrates facial hair with Winter BeardFest, the Monte Vista Hotel hosts an ugly Christmas sweater murder mystery dinner theater and more Asheville food news.
Curated holiday markets offer gift-buying alternatives
Curious about holiday markets? Check out these pop-ups planned around Asheville.