Category Archives: Mountains

Cycle to Farm offers the best of both worlds

Velo Girl Rides, organizer of the Cycle to Farm tour of local farms by bicycle, added two more locations to bring cyclists to beautiful local farms to enjoy stunning scenery, eat locally-grown and raised food, and buy products at local … Continue reading

Posted in Buncombe County, Orange County | 2 Comments

Laurey Masterton: a pioneer who kept pushing

When it was time to choose a spot to have my western NC book-release party in 2011, I immediately said: Laurey’s in Asheville. The cafe, run by chef and owner Laurey Masterton, embodied everything I love about the local foods … Continue reading

Posted in Bees, Buncombe County, Cooking, Dining | Leave a comment

Some favorite U-pick farms for U

The U-pick season is shorter in the mountains and middle of the state. Here are a few of my favorite spots there, with their entries from my book. Check ’em out! (But of course call or check online before you … Continue reading

Posted in Ashe County, Food, Madison County, Rockingham County, U-pick farms | Leave a comment

If it’s April, it must be time for beer

Craft beer followers already pour into North Carolina because of its reputation as the South’s premiere beer destination, with more breweries than any state south of Pennsylvania (73 and counting). More and more of those breweries are now locally sourcing … Continue reading

Posted in Buncombe County, Chatham County, Durham County, Guilford County | Tagged | Leave a comment

How sweet it was …

I got this sad news today from John Swann at Maple Creek Farm, famed for its southernmost maple syrup. I’ve written about them here before, and check out the photos too! To our Followers, Customers, and Friends: We regret to … Continue reading

Posted in Yancey County | Leave a comment

Let ‘Chefs of the Mountains’ be your guide

First, there was the “Food Lovers’ Guide to the Triangle.” Now there’s “Chefs of the Mountains: Restaurants & Recipes from Western North Carolina” (John F. Blair, $19.95), by food critic John E. Batchelor. John doesn’t know it, but he helped … Continue reading

Posted in Ashe County, Avery County, Books, Buncombe County, Cooking, Family travel, Haywood County, Henderson County, Recipes, Road travel, Watauga County | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Llamas, alpacas, and tigers, oh my!

With school out, it’s time to take the family to FARMS! Children of all ages (as they say) love llamas and alpacas. (I was just kidding about the tigers in the headline.) Below are three of my favorite fiber stops … Continue reading

Posted in Buncombe County, Rockingham County, Watauga County | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How can that even be?

As my partner, Lina, likes to say: How can that even be? How can NO North Carolina person or place be among the final nominees for James Beard awards? That’s just kooky. I guess we did so well in last … Continue reading

Posted in Buncombe County, Durham County, Mecklenburg County, Orange County, Wake County | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

It’s maple-tree tapping time again — yes, in NC!

It’s time to get sappy! Yes, it’s maple syrup-tapping time again — even in North Carolina! Maple Creek Farm outside of Burnsville, in the mountains, will host its fourth annual Maple Tour on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from … Continue reading

Posted in Family travel, Farmers, Food, Yancey County | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Green-light specials at holiday markets

Thanksgiving shoppers can be grateful for the number of farmers’ markets holding special market events specifically for the holidays. Not only that, the Triangle and Western NC local-food communities have put together websites giving overviews of holiday markets.  The mountain version, organized … Continue reading

Posted in Buncombe County, Chatham County, Durham County, Henderson County, Madison County, Orange County, Wake County, Watauga County | Leave a comment

Farm Fresh NC on UNC-TV’s ‘Bookwatch’

D.G. Martin interviewed me in the summer for his author-focused show, “Bookwatch,” on UNC-TV. We had a wide-ranging talk about agritourism, farm-to-table restaurants, farmers markets, etc. It was a fun show, and I’m grateful for the opportunity! It first aired Sept. … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Charlotte area, Coastal Region-Sandhills, Dining, Farmers' markets, Food, Mountains, Triad, Triangle, Wine | Leave a comment

Farm films: pass the (local) popcorn

Two farm-focused films are in the news. First, the long-awaited documentary about young farmers, “The Greenhorns,” premiered in Brooklyn this summer and will being shown in at least one  community screenings in North Carolina, on Sept. 18 in Chatham County. All details … Continue reading

Posted in Buncombe County, Chatham County, Films | Leave a comment

Veritable cornucopia of fall news and happenings

It’s time again for Quick Bites, a harvest of Farm Fresh news and calendar listings. Here are a few items of interest, followed by calendar of events: *  Yay for one of my favorite restaurants, Knife & Fork, which won … Continue reading

Posted in Buncombe County, Chatham County, Durham County, Johnston County, Mecklenburg County, Orange County, Rowan County, Stanly County, Wake County | 1 Comment

Food and race; High Country tour; learn to write, paint and cook in a day; food classes; and more!

Mark your calendars for these farm-food events in the Tiangle and the mountains:  Thursday, Aug. 4: “Eating the Other: Food, Race and You,” discussion of race as it relates to agribusiness, farmers’ markets and the slow food culture. At Southwest Regional … Continue reading

Posted in Alleghany County, Ashe County, Avery County, Bicycling, Cooking, Dining, Durham County, Family travel, Farmers, Food, Road travel, Watauga County, Wilkes County | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cool stops in Hot Springs, Asheville

My Farm Fresh farmers’ market tour is traveling geographically with the harvest, starting in the Coast and Piedmont in the spring, moving to the Triad. Finally I’ve reached the mountains, just in time to cool off from the heat of … Continue reading

Posted in Buncombe County, Madison County | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A deluxe Farm Fresh backroads mountain tour

I wrote this very detailed story  with lovely photographs for Blue Ridge Country magazine. It’s in the current (July/August) issue. The four-night roadtrip, with itinerary, takes you from Asheville to Ashe County, with great sights and food stops in between. Check it … Continue reading

Posted in Ashe County, Buncombe County, Watauga County | Leave a comment

Find dining in Asheville

Wrote this little ditty below for a Boston Globe summer-fun roundup, so makes sense to share with my NC readers. With farm-to-table dining practically de rigueur, farmers are starting to share the menu with foragers. In what is billed as a … Continue reading

Posted in Buncombe County, Dining, Food, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Asheville’s Tupelo Honey Cafe puts out cookbook

Tupelo Honey Café is one of those landmark dining spots that actually deserves its popularity. Tourists and locals alike go to the Asheville restaurant for Southern comfort food with a modern twist. It’s a high-volume place (and a second location … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Books, Buncombe County, Cooking, Dining, Food, Recipes, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Farm Fresh’ tour visits Hendersonville and Flat Rock

Loads of fun planned in western NC, specifically Henderson County, starting  Thursday, May 19, at the cute Flat Rock Tailgate Market and ending Saturday, May 21 at the Blue Ridge Bookfest, with several stops in between. Hope you can make one … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Dining, Farm Fresh book events, Farmers' markets, Food co-ops, Henderson County, Lodging | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Where to find organic U-pick strawberries

2015 Update: In early 2015, I heard from a new certified organic U-pick, in Indian Trail, 30 minutes southeast of Charlotte. Wise Acres Organic Farm welcomes your business in spring of 2015!   2014 Update: Strawberries are late again this … Continue reading

Posted in Brunswick, Buncombe County, Food, Franklin County, Fruit, Orange County, U-pick farms, Wake County | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments