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: Black Star Line Brewing Co. celebrates MLK
In recognition of Martin Luther King Day, Black Star Line Brewing Co. will host a vegan breakfast plus a whole day of events honoring the civil rights leader. Also: a plant-based Bravo Breakfast at the Hendersonville Community Co-op, Punk Wok Pop-Up at Buxton Hall Barbecue, the GO Kitchen Ready Showcase Dinner and more.
Fermenting fervor: Tips from Asheville food artisans on DIY probiotic veggies
It’s easy to make fermented sauerkraut and pickles at home using just a few simple ingredients and inexpensive supplies.
Beer Scout: White Labs Kitchen and Tap to open in October
The new Charlotte Street yeast-production and testing facility will open a fermentation-focused restaurant and taproom this fall.
Hungry for knowledge: WNC edible education programs cultivate relationships between students and food
Food and gardening classes can help children learn life skills, nourish creativity and connect to the natural world. But funding for these programs can be hard to come by.
Small bites: The Great American Jerk Off returns
A competition at Ole Shakey’s Getaway highlights locally made beef jerky. Also, MetroWine celebrates the solar eclipse, Living Web Farm offers a class on homemade sauces, Hickory Nut Gap Farm leads a course in the art of sausage-making and Sovereign Remedies goes to the theater.
Seasonal School of the Culinary Arts presents all-star lineup of chefs and authors
Now in its 13th year, Susi Gott Séguret’s globetrotting cooking school gets set to dish up a week of classes and meals featuring some of Western North Carolina’s most celebrated chefs.
Preservation society: Pickling and canning WNC’s summer harvests
With everything from blueberries to beets ripening at WNC gardens and farms, it’s time to get busy preserving the bounty for the months to come.
Small bites: Blue Ghost Brewing celebrates Father’s Day with pollinator benefit
Father’s Day food events, an artisan baking workshop, a South of the Border-themed picnic buffet and an educational wine tasting are all on the menu in this week’s Small Bites.
Growing smart: Mother Earth Produce expands into West Asheville sustainable business hub
With its recent move to an unusual shared business space off Pisgah View Road, the local-foods delivery service has plans to broaden its reach.
Small bites: Frostbite Ice Cream’s new location will offer grown-up treats
Frostbite Ice Cream Bar expands to north Asheville. Also: Blue Dream Curry House celebrates two years, A Taste of Portugal comes to La Guinguette and Put It Up! Youth Food Preservation Camp is now open for enrollment.
Small bites: Habitat Tavern and Commons hosts community potlucks
Bring a dish to Common Table, a monthly potluck at Habitat Tavern and Commons. Also, Green Man Brewing teams up with Verbena Cakes and Catering for a beer pairing dinner, Living Web Farms offers a course on salt, nutritionist Denise Barratt hosts a spring cooking class focused on clean eating and Billy Goat Bikes combines cycling with tacos, gelato and beer.
Cooking up success: Kids at Work program builds culinary and life skills
The initiative, which operates in seven counties in Western North Carolina, offers at-risk teens a safe place to learn how to be successful both in life and in the kitchen.
Ready for anything: Green Opportunities Kitchen Ready grads hit their careers paths running
In 2016, 42 students enrolled in the GO Kitchen Ready program, and 79 percent of them graduated. Of those students, 72 percent were employed within three months of graduation, the majority within the culinary/hospitality industry.
Small bites: Food Connection’s Hunger Relief Concert returns to The Grey Eagle
The upcoming concert at The Grey Eagle supports the work of Food Connection, which helps divert unused food from Asheville restaurants to organizations that feed the hungry. Also this week: Asheville Wing War, Dine To Be Kind and more local food news.
Small bites: Celebrating the season with Farm-to-Table Dinner
Organic Growers School is hosting a Farm-to-Table Dinner fundraiser with chef John Fleer. Also, Meredith Leigh hosts a charcuterie workshop, Ole Shakey’s mixes bingo and brunch buffets, Knife & Fork join forces with Cucina 24 to explore the island of Sardinia and more.
Small bites: Sand Hill Kitchen opens for breakfast and lunch
Sand Hill Kitchen is a new shop offering homemade biscuits, pastries and more. Also: A winter pop-up comes to Knife & Fork, Recession Proof Mixology is happening at Sovereign Remedies and the International Black Jar Honey Contest returns with a public tasting event.
Small bites: Asheville Restaurant Week returns for its fifth year
Asheville Restaurant Week offers special prix fixe menus at a number of local eateries. Also this week, Burial Beer and Hickory Nut Gap Farm partner for a feast, The Farm talks about Super Bowl snacks and more.
Small bites: Talking cider at Rhubarb
In this week’s food news, local cidermakers join a discussion and tasting at Rhubarb, the French Broad Food Co-op hosts a class on wellness teas, a fermentation class is scheduled in Hot Springs, Santé Wine Bar & Tap Room offers a Wines of Portugal pop-up Flight Night event and early-bird tickets go on sale for Root Bound weekend in Highlands.
Kitchen vs. classroom: Are culinary schools necessary?
More and more these days, young people are enrolling in culinary school in order to get into the kitchen. That rise in enrollment begs the question: Is it worth it?
Small bites: Taco Throwdown at The Grey Eagle Taqueria
The Grey Eagle hosts a taco competition, chef Katie Button celebrates the publication of her first cookbook, Siam Thai Restaurant opens in North Asheville, Living Web Farms offers a pair of workshops and Buxton Hall Barbecue brings back its femalecentric Velvet & Lace pop-up concept with the Harvest Moon cocktail series.