The collaborative initiative from Asheville Independent Restaurant Association, ArtsAVL and GBX Group aims to address immediate and long-term recovery for local food-service and creative sector workers. Also this week, Fish Night at Regina’s Westside, Cocktails with Kris Kringle, a sad farewell to Vivian, a new home for the RAD Farmers Market and much more.
Tag: AIR
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MANNA FoodBank rallies to rebuild food distribution
Despite the destruction of its East Asheville facility, Western North Carolina’s main hunger-relief hub is finding ways to serve the community. Also: updates from Equal Plates Project, WNC Food Systems Coalition, Food Connection and Asheville Independent Restaurants.
What’s new in food: Charcuterie and wine come to the S&W Market
Gourmand owners Katie Grabach and Peyton Barrell want to bring Paris’ popular cave à manger dining experience to Asheville’s historic S&W Market. Also, a new owner joins All Souls Pizza; Asheville Beauty Academy’s The Parlor serves late night tacos; and more!
What’s new in food: Crust Never Sleeps bakery opens on Sardis Road
Jonathan Price and Dawn Alexander celebrate the launch of Crust Never Sleeps bakery. Also: Shiloh & Gaines launches on Hendersonville Road; Asheville Drag Brunch closes out the year with two shows; and plenty more!
What’s new in food: We Give a Share hires new director
Madi Holtzman, the new director for We Give a Share, notes her vision for the nonprofit’s future. Also: Asheville Independent Restaurant Association names its new executive director; River Arts District Farmers Market lands a new location; and more!
Opening soon-ish: New restaurants face ongoing obstacles and delays
For many first-time and established restaurateurs, the current market and supply chain issues continue to create ongoing challenges for new projects. For some local chefs, the result has meant pushing back start dates, while depending ever more on the ambiguous promise of “Opening Soon.”
What’s new in food: Zella’s Deli brings NY-style sandwiches to WNC
Located on College Street in downtown Asheville, Zella’s Deli serves meatball subs and other sandwich classics. Also: Jeremiah’s Italian Ice opens on Merrimon Avenue; Gospel Ice Cream debuts at the River Arts District Farmers Market; and more!
What’s new in food: Molly Nicholie discusses her new leadership role with ASAP
ASAP prepares for its new executive director. Also: Mother Earth Food expands its mission with recent grant; Chow Chow announces 2022 dates; and more!
What’s new in food: Little Chango Hispanic Craft Kitchen opens on Coxe Avenue
Caribbean-inspired dishes are on the menu at Little Chango Hispanic Craft Kitchen. Plus: El Gallo lands new ownership; Buxton Hall BBQ is still accepting holiday pie orders; and plenty more!
What’s new in food: Picklepalooza debuts on National Pickle Day
DJ’s Pickles celebrates National Pickle Day. Plus: Iron and Oak Brisket Co. continues to craft its menu; local shops offer Thanksgiving takeout; and plenty more.
Takeaway is here to stay
Like every small town and big city in America, Asheville faced unprecedented challenges when COVID-19 turned the entire restaurant industry upside down, sending many to a takeout-only model that required a dependence on food containers, bags and disposables. Unsurprisingly, that had a significant impact on waste and recyclable collections.
Mask mandates 2.0 affect hospitality businesses again
The first week of August was déjà vu all over again for Jane Anderson, executive director of the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association. After a jubilant but all too brief return to near normalcy for the hospitality industry beginning in late spring, COVID-19 cases were again on the rise, and business owners were once again forced […]
What’s new in food: Asheville Cider Crawl expands
Asheville Cider Crawl is set for Saturday, Aug. 28, plus the Omni Grove Park Inn hosts its 29th annual National Gingerbread House Competition, Metro Wines raises money for homeless pets, and more local food news.
Restaurant industry veterans reassess career choices post-pandemic
During their pandemic downtime, many jobless food and beverage workers, supported by robust unemployment benefits, re-examined their choice of profession. Long-acknowledged industry downsides exacerbated by the pandemic prompted some to research options and make new choices colored by the experience of 2020.
Restaurants can open at full capacity, but staffing is a challenge
In theory, Gov. Roy Cooper’s May 14 announcement lifting mandatory capacity and gathering limits and allowing fully vaccinated diners to leave their masks at home should allow North Carolina restaurants to get back to a pre-pandemic normal. But in practice, Cooper’s announcement doesn’t change much for many local restaurateurs. “What is driving restaurants’ decisions right now […]
What’s new in food: Your Place plus empanadas, pizza and nonprofits
A new concept takes over Foothills Butcher Bar West, plus empanadas, a new pizzeria and nonprofit news.
New year brings new restrictions on indoor dining capacity
Local restaurant owners face increasing challenges and difficult decisions as Buncombe County lowers dining room capacity to 30%.
Thanksgiving meal options from WNC restaurants, butcher shops
Menu options, order deadlines and pickup details for a few Asheville-area Thanksgiving takeout feasts.
Asheville Independent Restaurant Association fights to help members stay aloft
The organization has been forced to cancel it’s two biggest annual fundraisers, but it continues to support the city’s local restaurant industry.
Independent restaurants grapple with whether and how to reopen for in-house service
Dazed and confused might best describe the reaction from local restaurateurs to Phase 2 of the state’s COVID-19 reopening plan, with side orders of determination and ingenuity.
Asheville independent restaurants struggle to stay in business
Initially seen as a lifesaver, the Paycheck Protection Program has instead become a lead weight around the necks of many independent restaurants.