MG Road kicks off the holiday season with a Christmas cocktail pop-up. Plus, a new food entrepreneurship center is planned for the WNC Farmers Market, Villagers announces its impending closure and more local food news.
Small Bites: Plates popular downtown now made in Biltmore Village
East Fork Pottery moves its factory to Biltmore Village, Henrietta’s Poultry Shoppe is now open in the RAD, Metro Wines offers a Thanksgiving wine tasting, Isis gets a new executive chef, Baba Nahm goes Turkish and more Asheville food news.
The soul of Southside: How some Asheville chefs are restoring a culinary heritage
Through restaurant ventures and a nonprofit culinary training program, Asheville is finding fresh ways to celebrate its soul food legacy.
Y.E.S. Chef! Youth Culinary Program pairs teens with top Asheville chefs
A new youth culinary training program pairs teens with top local chefs for training that culminates with a cooking competition.
Small bites: Celebrity chef dishes up paella
District Wine Bar hosts a paella and Spanish wine fundraiser for Asheville Music School. Also in this week’s Asheville food news, GO Kitchen Ready students present their Showcase Dinner, the Acornucopia Project offers a nut foraging class, Hickory Nut Gap Farms hosts Sausage Fest, Marshall gets ready for its second Fermentation Festival and much more.
Small Bites: Folkmoot celebrates with soul food
Chef Clarence Robinson and artist Ann Miller Woodford headline Folkmoot’s upcoming Souther Supper Series soul food dinner. Also in this week’s Asheville food news, West End Baker and CafĂ© makes artisan pizza for FEAST, PennyCup Coffee Co. and Biscuit Head open new locations, chef A.J. Gregson moves his popular Wednesday pop-up dinner series to his new Fairview Road barbecue restaurant and more.
Small bites: Amazing Pizza Co. goes inside
Amazing Pizza Co. goes from food truck to brick-and-mortar restaurant. Also, the Asheville Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival rolls back into town, a few tickets are still available for the Highlands Food & Wine Festival and more local food news.
Versatile dent corn stars in fall dishes
As its name implies, dent corn has a small dent in each kernel and is mostly used in its dried form as a grain.
King Daddy’s Chicken & Waffle to close, making way for new Early Girl Eatery
The Early Girl’s owners say King Daddy’s will shutter on Thursday, Sept. 20, with the new restaurant opening on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
Small bites: Madison County Beekeepers Association hosts honey tasting contest
On Monday, Sept. 17, the Madison County Beekeepers Association will host a honey-tasting contest, recipe competition and potluck. Also: Pedal to Plate returns; Highland Brewing Co. hosts Grapes, Grains and Graham; The Asheville School of Wine hosts its latest series of classes; and plenty more.
Asheville Wine & Food Festival takes a break, new local festival emerges
Asheville Wine & Food Festival founder and director Bob Bowles says he faced challenges in securing a suitable location for this year’s event. In the meantime, a group of local chefs and business owners are making headway with plans for a new food and beverage festival with an experiential focus for 2019.
Wild sumac berries add local tang to seasonings
The prolific, native berries, can easily be found along the edges of forests or in grassy or disturbed areas in Western North Carolina August through December.
Small bites: Local Food Experience returns to New Belgium Brewing Co.
On Thursday, Sept. 13, ASAP will bring farmers and restaurants together in its third annual Local Food Experience. Also: Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. rolls out a collaborative pizza series; Oak and Grist Distilling Co. celebrates its first bottle release; Asheville Community Garden Network hosts its annual dinner; and more.
ASAP hosts its inaugural Healthy Eating in Practice Conference
Nationally known speakers, cooking classes with Asheville chefs and visits to local farms and markets are all part of this new learning event for medical professionals and nutritionists.
Behind the wheel: A chef-farmer collaboration reboots the Ujamaa Freedom Market initiative
Through a partnership with Patchwork Urban Farms, chef Gene Ettison is leveraging a new entrepreneurial venture to bring healthy meals and grocery options to Asheville’s food deserts.
Small bites: The Affair in White returns
On Saturday, Aug. 11 the the Renaissance Asheville Hotel will host the seventh annual White Fundraiser. The event benefits the local nonprofit Loving Food Resources. Also this week: Summer at the Old Dairy Barn Harvest; The 41st annual Sourwood Festival; Cider and Cheese Pairing; and plenty more.
Changing of the guard: New chefs take the helm at Asheville favorites
What’s happens when a new chef steps into the leadership role in a well-established kitchen?
Reclaimed crown, new competitors mark 2018 WNC Battle of the Burger
Sand Hill Kitchen nabbed its first grand prize from the panel of judges, while the Rankin Vault regained people’s choice honors after losing the crown in 2017.
Intuition and tradition: Asheville chefs take varied approaches to cooking with eggplant
The enigmatic nightshade vegetable is a summer favorite for local chefs and farmers.
Small bites: Tupelo Honey 2.0
Tupelo Honey is set to roll out its new downtown expansion. Also: WNC Battle of the Burger returns; Foraging Dinner series continues at Nightbell; AVLCakeLady and The Ettison Group present: An Evening of Dining of Excellence; and plenty more.
Restaurants capture Asheville’s unique style
Through their design strategies, menus and aesthetic themes, local eateries contribute to and define the city’s distinct food scene.