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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
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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
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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
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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 craft beer
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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
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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
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 Divine Llamas, llama winery
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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
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 maple syrup, syrup tapping
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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 Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, ASAP, Asheville City Market, Biltmore Estate, Broadwing Farm Cabins, Family Farm Tour, Farm and Sparrow, French Broad Chocolate Lounge, Imladris Farm Venezia Dream Farm, Mark Rosenstein, Restaurant Solace
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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
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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 food foraging, foraging, forest to table, kudzu, No Taste Like Home, wild dining, wildcrafting
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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 A Southern Season, breweries, brewpubs, Brian Sonoskus, Elizabeth Sims, Green Tomato Salsa, Grits, Regulator Bookshop, Southern food
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‘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