In a city that’s always hopping with food and drink events, here are a few that stood out from 2018.
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.
Small Bites: MG Road presents a Christmas Miracle
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.
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: Harvest Festival 2018
The inaugural Harvest Festival kicks off at the Burton Street Community Peace Gardens. Also: White Labs Asheville hosts its latest fermented pairing class; Twin Leaf and Whisk AVL team up; Fiesta Hendersonville returns; and plenty more.
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.
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.
Small bites: Eliada Farms Week
Eliada Farms Weeks kicks off Saturday, Aug. 18 at Sovereign Remedies. Also: Ben’s Tune Up hosts Slushie Fest; West Asheville Tailgate Market throws a block party; Haywood Street Congregation introduces WelcomeFEST 2018 and more in this week’s Small Bites
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.
Small bites: Chef Brian Canipelli branches out
Burial Beer Co. joins forces with Cucina 24 chef Brian Canipelli. Also: Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival returns; Folkmoot pairs with Blind Pig Supper Club; TreeRock Social Cider House holds its inaugural Cookie-Chill-Off and plenty more Asheville food news.
Small bites: The Great North Carolina Vegan Barbecue Cookoff
On Sunday, July 8, The Block Off Biltmore will host The Great North Carolina Vegan Barbecue Cookoff. Also: La Guinguette offers an American Wine Dinner; AUX Bar (On Fire) Guest Chef series continues; Macaron & Mimosa Flights; The Blind Pig presents: Pop Sugar; and a wine dinner with Bibiana González Rave
Small bites: Trout Lily Market & Deli expands with new owner
Biltmore Coffee Roasters and Trout Lily Market & Deli join as one. Also: The Great American Jerk Off returns; Tod’s Tasties hosts its annual Father’s Day cookout; The Chop Shop Butchery hosts a whole hog workshop; and several local restaurants are recognized at the 39th annual Griffin Awards.
Small bites: The Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest returns
The Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest returns to Highland Brewing Co. Also, The Grey Eagle Taqueria hosts a beer pairing brunch, The Montford Rooftop Bar continues its Local Partner Brunch series, White Moon Cafe opens in Sylva and the 10th Muse Coffee shop comes to London Road.
Small bites: Chai Pani reopens with a fresh look
After eight years, Chai Pani’s original downtown Asheville location has gotten a makeover. Also: Asheville Food Truck Showdown returns; Villagers hosts a fermentation workshop; Women Vinters Wine Dinner comes to Golden Fleece; Clyde’s Burger Stop opens and Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. says farewell to its popular lunch buffet.
Local chefs battle it out at the 2018 Asheville Wing War
This year’s offerings from the 11 competing kitchens ran the gamut from classic Buffalo wings to puréed fruit-topped concoctions.
Small bites: ‘Repair the world’ with soup
Teams compete for top honors in the fifth annual Congregation Beth HaTephila Souper Bowl. Also: A vegan wine and cheese tasting at Greenlife Grocery, vegan barbecue at Sanctuary Brewing Co., a wine and cheese tasting with WNC Cheese Trail, Corner Kitchen Catering closes and more Asheville food news.
Small bites: Soup or Bowl at Blue Ghost Brewing Co.
Blue Ghost Brewing Co. brings back its Soup or Bowl soup-off and Chai Pani cooks up a pop-up while it closes for renovations. Also, check out some Super Bowl Sunday options and the latest from PennyCup Coffee.
Small bites: Cajun Cookoff returns for 10th year
The Cajun Cookoff returns to the Salvage Station. Also: Firestorm Books & Coffee hosts a vegetarian potluck, Our Global Table fundraiser benefits Pisgah Legal’s Justice for All Project, Cuban food comes to Twin Leaf Brewery, Mamacitas hosts a fundraiser for ArtSpace Charter School and Knife & Fork starts its annual winter pop-up series.
Small bites: Pull Up at the Peel Deli and Grill
Pull Up at the Peel Deli and Grill expands its lunch options. Also: East Fork Asheville hosts a cake-off; Sandy Mush Mountain Music and Square Dance returns; French Broad Chocolate Lounge hosts a book signing; the Flatiron Building celebrates 90 years; and Foothill Meats opens a second location in Black Mountain.
Small bites: Asheville Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
The Asheville Outlets hosts its inaugural Asheville Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival. Also: Postero hosts Hendersonville Rescue Mission fundraiser dinner; Art & Pie II returns to Buxton Hall Barbecue; Taste of Asheville comes back for more and Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours arrives to Asheville
Competition challenges Asheville restaurants to create vegan fare
Creative local chefs are going vegan this month with plant-based takes on everything from kung pao chicken to a kheema sandwich.