Chef Dream Kasestatad returns to Bottle Riot. Plus: Punk Rock Hot Dogs returns to the Masonic Temple, Melting Pot Social opens and more local food news.

Chef Dream Kasestatad returns to Bottle Riot. Plus: Punk Rock Hot Dogs returns to the Masonic Temple, Melting Pot Social opens and more local food news.
When N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper closed restaurant dining rooms in mid-March, the Kickback AVL website became “a madhouse,” says owner Jennie Townsend.
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 Wine & Food Festival founder and director Bob Bowles says he faced challenges in securing a suitable location for this year’s event. In the meantime, a group of local chefs and business owners are making headway with plans for a new food and beverage festival with an experiential focus for 2019.
TreeRock Social Cider House and Ivory Road Cafe & Kitchen team up for an afternoon of sweets and drinks. Also: Dobra Tea Black Mountain announces closing date, Shrimp at the Farm returns, local breweries fight food insecurity through Hops for Hunger, The Fresh Market adds to its Local Program and Cúrate makes the list of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2018.
The Asheville Outlets hosts its inaugural Asheville Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival. Also: Postero hosts Hendersonville Rescue Mission fundraiser dinner; Art & Pie II returns to Buxton Hall Barbecue; Taste of Asheville comes back for more and Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours arrives to Asheville
A new pie cafe hits South Asheville. Also, Urban Orchard Cider Co. will host a five-course live fire dinner, Asheville Breakfast Rotary Club and Hickory Nut Gap Farm team up for a fundraiser and lots more in this week’s Small Bites.
Hops & Vines is adding a new series to its class lineup. Meanwhile, Trout Lily of Fairview will host its sixth annual Bluegrass Oyster Fest; Ultimate Ice Cream partners with Youth Outright for the month of November; Living Web Farms teaches several donation-based food classes; and Edison Craft Ales + Kitchen adds local beers to its brunch menus.