NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Polanco opened in mid-September. Chef and owner Ricardo Carrasco, a native of Tampico, Mexico, says he wants to bring his interpretation of Mexican culture and cuisine to Asheville.

Small bites: Polanco opens on North Market Street

Posted on October 17, 2017October 18, 2017 by Thomas Calder

Polanco brings a fresh take on Mexican fare to the former Vincenzo’s space. Also, Warren Wilson College hosts the Regional Food Waste Summit, White Labs Kitchen & Tap opens on South Charlotte Street, chocolate comes to The Collider and Abby Artemisia hosts a workshop on foraging.

CELEBRATING THE HARVEST: The N.C. Apple Festival runs Friday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 4, on Main Street in downtown Hendersonville.

Small bites: North Carolina Apple Festival returns to Hendersonville

Posted on August 29, 2017August 28, 2017 by Thomas Calder

The North Carolina Apple Festival returns for its 71st year. Also: Whole Foods Market and Greenlife raise funds for Asheville City Schools Foundation, the Acupuncture for Digestive Health offers a free event on fats, The Asheville School of Wine hosts a canned wine tasting event and French Broad Chocolates announces plans for expansion.

JOINING FORCES: East Fork Pottery's One Bowl Dinner series pairs handmade pottery with fare from neighborhood chefs and restaurants for a monthly dinner that benefits local nonprofits. The inaugural event happens Thursday, July 20, with chef Sarah Cousler of Buxton Hall Barbecue.

Small bites: Pottery, cuisine and philanthropy

Posted on July 18, 2017July 17, 2017 by Thomas Calder

East Fork Pottery introduces the One Bowl Dinner fundraising series. Also: Edible Asheville hosts its latest FED Talk, Luella’s Bar-B-Que celebrates 10 years, Hickory Nut Gap Farm hosts a butchery class and Virgola opens in Biltmore Village.

THE ARTIST AND THE BAKER: Cynthia Pierce and Akira Satake bring their two passions — ceramics and baked goods — to Riverview Station with the launch of Gallery Mugen.

Small bites: Cafe Yuzu celebrates its grand opening in the RAD

Posted on June 27, 2017June 26, 2017 by Thomas Calder

Café Yuzu will feature handmade treats by baker and owner Cynthia Pierce along with products from Vortex Doughnuts, French Broad Chocolates, OWL Bakery and Dobra Tea. Also, Fork & Knife hosts a Fourth of July event, Tiki Thursdays returns to Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian and Bone & Broth introduces its early-summer menu.

ALL TOGETHER NOW: Women business leaders, nonprofit organizers and members of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce gathered Thursday morning for the Chambr's inaugural WomanUP networking event and awards ceremony. Photo by Max Hunt

Local female business leaders honored at inaugural WomanUP networking event

Posted on November 10, 2016November 10, 2016 by Max Hunt

The capacity crowd joined staff members of the CoC, event sponsors and colleagues to share breakfast and network with fellow women professionals from a diverse array of local industries. After the breakfast, an awards ceremony recognized three local female leaders in business, executive leadership and the nonprofit world.

PADDLE ON: This Father's Day, families will have the chance to give back to the community, while spending time on the French Broad River.

Father’s Day River Cleanup rewards community service with chocolate and beer

Posted on June 13, 2016June 13, 2016 by Thomas Calder

On Sunday, June 19, MountainTrue, French Broad Chocolates and Asheville Greenworks will host a Father’s Day River Cleanup that combines paddling and trash gathering with chocolate and beer.

PASSION FOR CRAFTSMANSHIP: French Broad Chocolates owners, from left, Jael and Dan Rattigan were interviewed in late February by Eric Gorges, right, for his PBS show, "A Craftsman's Legacy."

French Broad Chocolates featured on PBS show ‘A Craftsman’s Legacy’

Posted on March 10, 2016March 10, 2016 by Jonathan Ammons

The national television program visited Asheville in late February to spotlight the artistry of French Broad Chocolates

LAND OF CRAFT BEER: Fonta Flora Brewery's soon-to-be-released Land Trust Appalachian Apple Saison is brewed with spicebush twigs harvested on lnads protected by the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina and hundreds of pounds of organic apples from Morganton's Fox Gap Farms.

In Todd we trust: Morganton’s Fonta Flora Brewery hosts a beer release to benefit environmental conservation efforts

Posted on January 14, 2016January 15, 2016 by Scott Douglas

Local beer enthusiasts willing to make the trek to Morganton this weekend can expect to find a unique triple release event at Fonta Flora Brewery that supports the work of the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina.

BETTER TOGETHER: Catawba Brewing believes that beer and chocolate have a lot in common.

French Broad Chocolate Lounge and Catawba Brewing Co. debut new pairing series

Posted on July 7, 2015July 7, 2015 by Thom O'Hearn

Catawba Brewing Co. and the French Broad Chocolate Lounge have teamed up for chocolate and beer pairings before. Now they’re about to do it again. And again and again.