Food

My grandma always included sauerkraut on our holiday table even though she was the only one who ate it.

My introduction to chitlins was at the The Big Dinner sponsored by Washington County Sheriff Harvey Tackett. A friend later drove me miles up river to the ’Coon Hunters Ball, featuring turtle soup, squirrel stew, venison and oh-so-tender broiled rattlesnake.

Diners in downtown Raleigh have a huge appetite for eating well and doing good. Need proof? A little over a year after opening, A Place at the Table, the pay-what-you-can cafe, is expanding to meet the demand.

After taking over Instagram feeds in New York and Boston, Japanese sweet treat Koiyaki has finally made its way downstream to the Triangle.

Asking people to name their favorite barbecue joint is like discussing religion, money and politics during Sunday supper; you just don’t do it. But, we’re pushing past politeness and laying out our list of the Triangle’s best barbecue (we’re sure you’ll let us know if we’ve forgotten your favorite):

Our carnivorous prayers have been answered with the announcement that Shake Shack will open its first Triangle location. The New York City-based chain plans to open in Cary’s Waverly Place in fall 2019.

Another Triangle chef has nabbed a nomination for a national James Beard Foundation Award. Raleigh’s own Ashley Christensen is a semifinalist for one of the awards, also known as the Oscars of food.

Just in time for Heart Month, KFC is testing its new Cheetos Sandwich in select Triad restaurants.

Charlotte-based Chef Bruce Moffett, owner of Moffett Restaurant Group, is releasing his first cookbook, “Bruce Moffett Cooks: A New England Chef in a New South Kitchen.”

North Carolina is known for Southern comfort food that is made from scratch and unique to the area. Dish This!, a Specialty Foods Association catalog, makes ordering local food from manufacturers and retailers easier than ever.

Looking for a way to kick-start the new year? Consider a juice cleanse. Experts say juice cleanses provide the body with a safe and effective way to rid itself of toxins, infuse doses of vitamins and nutrients, aid in digestion and potentially boost overall health.

According to Karen Molnar, a registered dietitian nutritionist for UNC Physicians Network in Cary, the holiday meal has changed over the last decade. She attributes the shift in part to food intolerance and allergies.

You’ve got some hungry guests coming for Thanksgiving, which means you need to find a tasty turkey. Here’s what you should consider:

A Place at the Table, a pay-what-you-can cafe in downtown Raleigh, will be getting well-deserved national attention this month on NBC’s “Today” show during the week of Thanksgiving.

Taking lunch to work saves money and promotes healthy eating, but brown-bag lunches are a thing of the past. Check out these products that help you pack lunch like a pro.

Charlotte’s brewery scene is booming, and new taprooms are opening throughout the city. Andrew Kalinoski, former head brewer at Sycamore Brewing, is bringing something new to the market. His new brewery, Armored Cow Brewing, plans to specialize in gluten-free beer using non-traditional grains like millet, buckwheat, malted rice and granola.

If you’re in search of fresh and authentic food and margaritas, check out Virgil’s Original Taqueria, Downtown Raleigh’s taco and tequila spot.

Following the trend of getting just about anything you want delivered within an hour, Drizly is here. Drizly is a technology company that has changed the retail alcohol industry and partnered with retailers in more than 100 cities in North America (including Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Durham, Morrisville and Wake Forest.)

You’ve heard of farm-to-table restaurants, but have you heard of farm-to-cocktail bars? The new movement espouses the use of fresh produce from local farmers rather than canned or bottled juices and mixers.

Great for a special evening out or brunch on a sunny day, ROCKSALT in Charlotte is a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Located in Park Road Shopping Center, the popular seafood restaurant offers a spacious outdoor patio, a wood-fired grill, and an oyster bar.

According to an American Chemistry Council survey, the average household throws out $640 of food each year. This hurts wallets and the environment, so here are some helpful tips for reducing food waste in your home:

The Food Network’s show “Chopped Grill Masters” will be bringing together the top pitmasters from Texas, Kansas City, Memphis and North Carolina to battle for the best BBQ.

Sweet tea is a Southern summer staple, but not everyone has a sweet tooth. If you’re looking for some fresh flavors this National Iced Tea Day, look no further than your own backyard.

Choosing locally grown food gives me the warm fuzzies, knowing that I’m helping local farmers and voting with my dollars. This shows I respect my body and community by paying an extra buck.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France during the Franco-Mexican War. In the U.S., it’s widely interpreted as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. Celebrations include parades, parties, music, dancing and traditional food such as tacos.

Clean Juice began four years ago after a dream of opening a juice bar in the Charlotte area turned into a real-life store opening in Huntersville. Now the franchise has over 90 locations in development in 13 states, with 20 located across North Carolina.

After an eventful Saint Patrick’s Day weekend in Charlotte, I stopped by Moo & Brew, a burger and beer joint on Central Avenue, to grab a meal before the trip back to Raleigh.

Look, then smell and finally bite. These are the steps to tasting chocolate like a true food critic. In downtown Asheville, The Chocolate Fetish sells quality, handmade chocolate with special treats for weddings, holidays and other occasions.

I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively, and whether I’m stateside or abroad, food tops the list.

Nearly one in seven Triangle residents face limited availability of nutritious food. To help address this and help those in need, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) provide the community cafe A Place at the Table with 20 fresh, healthy meals per day for 365 days.