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.
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.
Bagels rising: WNC bakers deliver the hole schmear
From a soon-to-open spot on Hendersonville Road to established businesses like West End Bakery, the Asheville area boasts several independent bakeries that are big on bagels.
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.
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.
WNC experts take medicinal mushrooms into the kitchen
From soups to sweets, healing mushrooms’ medicinal properties can be accessed by incorporating them in recipes.
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 Café 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.
Women chefs introduce permanent downtown pop-up concepts
Most restaurants open with a bang — banners, grand-opening parties, VIP tastings and the like. But as Asheville’s market gets more and more saturated with eateries, a new trend is emerging: the quiet entrance. This summer, two established bar venues silently launched kitchens led by up-and-coming chefs, bypassing opening frivolities in favor of a 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.
Asheville food artisan Charles Nembhard recognized with statewide entrepreneurship award
In 2014, the owner of Charley King’s Jamaican sauce business received hip and femur replacements and rehabilitative therapy with support from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. He has spent the last two years rebuilding Charley King’s from that medically imposed hiatus, and on Sept. 10, he was recognized with the DVRS Small Business Award.
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.
Eliada Corn Maze marks 10 years with a fresh outlook and revival of farming past
A renewed focus on farming aims to provide STEM education opportunities for students while ultimately making the organization self-sustaining.
WNC hemp farmers and processors collaborate to evolve the industry
An ever-increasing interest in hemp’s medicinal and culinary applications is giving rise to new partnerships.
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.
Small bites: plēb urban winery opens in the RAD
On Saturday, Sept. 1, plēb urban winery celebrates its grand opening in the River Arts District. Also: Postero hosts a fundraiser for Pisgah Legal Service; Craft Centric Taproom & Bottle Shop teams up with Three Eggs Cakery; the North Carolina Apple Festival returns; 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