What was 2021 like for local chefs and food entrepreneurs? Xpress caught up with a few to get their take on another challenging year.

What was 2021 like for local chefs and food entrepreneurs? Xpress caught up with a few to get their take on another challenging year.
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!
Andaaz and Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse debut, while Table and The Golden Pineapple get a post-pandemic reboot.
An increasingly popular national model, hospitality and restaurant groups typically invest in and support chefs or restaurateurs with big dreams and small budgets in opening new concepts or growing an original location into multiple stores.
Restaurants that were set to debut or relaunch during the state’s pandemic dining room shutdown find creative ways to persevere.
Although Asheville’s locally focused restaurants have bid adieu for now to the tomatoes, eggplant and zucchini of summer, chefs find something in every season’s harvest to get excited about.
Margaritas will be flowing as bars and restaurants celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Also, Table and Tod’s Tasties host a community cookout, Habitat Tavern and Commons launches its Sunday brunch series and more.
Catawba Brewing Co. and Buxton Hall Barbecue welcome spring with a tiki-themed outdoor bash. Also, Table hosts Nowruz, a community focused Persian, Sephardic and Parsi dinner; Star Diner in Marshall rolls out brunch; Gan Shan Station has new offerings and plenty more.