The new year brings new restaurants and fresh collaborations while other businesses take a temporary break and a North Asheville favorite closes permanently.

The new year brings new restaurants and fresh collaborations while other businesses take a temporary break and a North Asheville favorite closes permanently.
From homemade marshmallows to batch cocktails, Asheville-area chefs and beverage experts share inspiration for gifts from the home kitchen.
Cousins Cuban Café launches in Black Mountain, Rhubarb and Cucina 24 reopen their dining rooms, The Omni Grove Park Inn’s National Gingerbread House Competition offers a virtual cooking class series, and more local food news.
After more than 30 years writing about Nashville’s dining scene, Kay West reflects on some culinary highlights of her first year in Asheville.
Asheville Drag Brunch is new monthly series raising funds for local nonprofits. Also: The Block Off Biltmore hosts a vegan dessert fundraiser, Ginger’s Revenge hosts an oyster dinner, Manicomio Pizza opens Aunt Mary’s and more local food news.
Landmark restaurants changed hands, established chefs experimented with new concepts and Asheville lost one food festival and gained a new one.
On Tuesday, Aug. 28, The Hop Ice Cream Café celebrates its 40th year with free kiddie scoops of ice cream for all patrons and a musical performance by Sirius.B. Also: BaconFest Asheville returns, as does Vegan Awareness Week and plenty more.
Although local eateries work to accommodate disabled guests, accessibility and other issues continue to make dining out difficult for many.
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.
The third annual Asheville Cocktail Week returns, with a kickoff dinner at Cucina 24. Also: Rhubarb celebrates Ashley English’s latest cookbook, AUX Bar & Kitchen hosts its new series, Capella on 9 adds Sunday brunch, Congregation Beth Ha Tephila hosts a pre-Asheville Bread Festival event and Pete’s Pies closes.
Hendersonville’s Historic Seventh Avenue District welcomes a new coffee venture. Also, Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival begins Friday, July 14; Metro Wines host multiple classes and tastings and the Asheville International Wine Competition celebrates regional wineries.
For a limited time, Ole Shakey’s offers the chance to play nine holes of miniature golf on its side patio. Also, Cucina 24 hosts a Polynesian rum dinner, Noble Cider offers A Taste of France and more in this week’s food news.
Six Asheville bartenders took their best shot at a chance to win accommodations for three nights at the 2016 Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans during the Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum Beat It Rummy craft cocktail competition at Tiger Mountain on June 10.
A $3 wristband gives guests the chance to sample jerky from all the participating chefs, both professional and amateur.
**UPDATED MAY 26** Cucina 24 hosts a Wicked Weed sour beer dinner, Hi-Wire hosts a Foothills Meats beer dinner and AVL Beer Week kicks into high gear.
City Bakery will move all of its bread-making operations from Biltmore Avenue to Fletcher in a matter of weeks; Cucina 24 adds lunch service and a sour beer dinner with Wicked Weed’s sour brews; food writer Sheri Castle stops into Rhubard to celebrate her new release; and Villagers hosts a glass on medicinal ghees.
Chefs Nate Allen of Knife & Fork, Brian Canipelli of Cucina 24 and Cynthia Wong, formerly of Rhubarb, were all named semifinalists for the 2016 James Beard Awards on Feb. 17.
Some of Asheville’s best craft cocktail artists provide inspiration for festive tippling.
Feasting for FEAST fundraiser will help organizers educate more local youths on the wonders of fresh, homegrown veggies. Meanwhile, Hops & Vines is offering a cider making class, and Thirsty Monk, Table and Wicked Weed have planned specialty food and beer events.
After advancing by popular vote and facing a panel of judges, Donnie Pratt of Cucina 24 has been crowned the victor of Bar Wars AVL 2015 — a friendly competition aimed at raising glasses and funds for local charities.
Doughnuts are about as rare in Asheville as a three-piece suit. Fortunately, a few spots throw life rings to the doughnut deprived — and more help is coming.