Category Archives: Dining

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

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Food fest recap: all yummy all the time

I was treated to some glorious dining and noshing events at TerraVITA in Chapel Hill last weekend. and now it‘s back to watching the waistline. I’ve witnessed this fine food and beverage festival, founded and run by the gracious and … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Dining, Orange County, Wine | Tagged , | 2 Comments

‘Food Lovers’ Guide’ to the Triangle is out

My pal and busy “Durham Foodie” blogger Johanna Kramer just birthed her first book, and it’s a great one for food-minded locals and visitors to the Triangle. (And, really, who isn’t food minded?) “Food Lovers’ Guide to Raleigh, Durham & … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Dining, Durham County, Family travel, Orange County, Recipes, Wake County | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

TerraVITA triples the fun (get your tix now)

Wow, in only its third year, TerraVITA has become a leading Southern food and wine event, with a focus on farm-sourcing, artisanal producers. This year’s event has expanded over several days, with activities running Nov. 1 to Nov. 3 in … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Dining, Farmers' markets, Films, Food, Orange County, Wine | Tagged , | 1 Comment

It’s settled! Il Palio vs. Weathervane on July 23

I was already feeling lucky to be asked to judge one of the Fire in the Triangle chef competition sponsored by Got to Be NC. Then I learned I’d be judging the semifinals, on July 23, meaning I’ll get to … Continue reading

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Say cheese! And then learn how to make it

I used to hear about a cheese-making class once or twice a year. Now they’re popping up like mold spores on your favorite Stilton. Here are a couple in NC in November. Sleepy Goat Farm in Pelham (Caswell County) has just … Continue reading

Posted in Caswell County, Chatham County, Cooking, Dining, Goats | Tagged , | 2 Comments

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

Fall harvest brings more fall events

Wow, the list of fall events keeps growing. Check these out! SEPTEMBER: Sept. 23 and 25: Diane Daniel discusses sustainable farming, agritourism and more on “Bookwatch” with D.G. Martin on UNC-TV. Airs Friday and repeats Sunday. Sept. 24: Terra Vita returns! … Continue reading

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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

Can you afford fresh food? Heck, yeah

I don’t always have an answer for people who say that eating organic, seasonal meals is too expensive. From now on, I’m telling them to check out Linda Watson‘s “Wildly Affordable Organic.” The book’s subtitle is key: “Eat Fabulous Food, Get … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Dining, Environmental, Recipes, Wake County | Leave a comment

Bee there, freshest fish, food tours and more

It’s time again for Quick Bites, a harvest of Farm Fresh news. How sweet it is: TONIGHT, July 27, at 6 pm (movie at 9:15), Market Restaurant in Raleigh will host a music and movie night in its parking lot, featuring … Continue reading

Posted in Bees, Books, Dining, Durham County, Environmental, Food, Food policy, Forsyth County, Guilford County, Orange County, Wake County | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wilmington wakes up to good food

The last time I was in Wilmington, dining options were mostly pretty standard fare. What a difference a few years make. The only restaurant I have from there in my book is Catch, but here are the ones I’d add … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Dining, Farm Fresh book events, Farmers' markets, New Hanover 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

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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 , , , , , , , , | 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

Special ‘Farm Fresh’ dinner May 18 at Zely & Ritz, Raleigh

I can’t wait for this one. On Wednesday, May 18, I’m teaming up with two Raleigh entries in my book — Zely & Ritz and The Little Herb House (their write-ups are at the end of this post) for a … Continue reading

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Andrea Reusing wins James Beard, makes NC proud

A big congrats to Andrea Reusing, chef of Lantern in Chapel Hill and author of “Cooking in the Moment” for winning a James Beard award for Best Chef of the Southeast!! Andrea is only the third North Carolinian to win … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Cooking, Dining, Durham County, Orange County | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Lucky seven in Charlotte, starting May 5

Here’s my seven-stop lineup in Charlotte, starting today! If you’re in or near the Queen City, please stop by and say hello. All the restaurants and markets below are also entries in my book. Thursday, May 5, 5 p.m. Rooster’s … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Farm Fresh events, Farmers' markets, Mecklenburg County, Media, Television | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

In Durham, a special sit-down dinner with Pie Pushers

One of the upsides* to all the rain and subsequent slow traffic on the Piedmont Farm Tour  yesterday was the opportunity to see the Pie Pushers’ full profile, instead of how I usually see Mike Hacker and Becky Cascio — as faces … Continue reading

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Andrea Reusing, season by season

Andrea Reusing’s first cookbook, “Cooking in the Moment,” will make Triangle residents proud. Over the years, Andrea, chef/co-founder at the Asian-inspired Lantern in Chapel Hill, has made quite a national name for herself through her creative cooking and reliance on … Continue reading

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