Photo by Caitlin Penna
Maggie Kane
Welcome to Friday Night Bites, your weekly roundup of local food and drink news and events. Have a tip for us? Email food@indyweek.com.
NEWS
A Place at the Table's Maggie Kane Named N.C. State's "Outstanding Young Alumna"
Maggie Kane, a 2013 N.C. State graduate and founder and executive director of A Place at the Table, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can cafe, will receive this year's N.C. State's “Outstanding Young Alumna Award." The award honors an alumnus or alumna under forty-two years of age who has made outstanding contributions to the university, their profession, and community. After her work with people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, Kane was inspired to open Raleigh's first pay-what-you-can cafe (and North Carolina's second), a place where all are welcome and can dine with dignity, regardless of means. Since opening in January, A Place at the Table has served 27,660 meals (over 5,000 of these were meals given), received pay-it-forward donations from over 17,000 people totaling $92,966, and racked up a total of 8,279 combined volunteer hours. Kane will accept the award at a ceremony in Raleigh on November 1.
"Did I think I would be accepting this in 2009 when I started college at N.C. State? No way, but my time here has transformed my life," Kane says. "The people I met, including my adviser, professors, and friends, the clubs I got involved with, and the opportunities I was introduced to, led me to live and breathe what one of my favorite writers [Frederick Buechner] says, 'Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world's greatest need.'"
True Flavors Diner to Open Second Durham Location in the Former Lakewood Space
Chef Sidney Coves of True Flavors Diner will open a second location of his popular Durham daytime eatery at 2022 Chapel Hill Road, the former home of restaurant The Lakewood, which became vacant after chef Phoebe Lawless abruptly closed its doors in July. True Flavors Diner has earned a reputation for its elevated takes on Southern comfort food and has become a brunch destination known for dishes such as duck hash and a stellar brunch burger. Hat tip to Amber Watson of Bites of Bull City for alerting us to this news.
Durham Pastry Chef Kendall Vanderslice Wins James Beard Foundation Scholarship
The James Beard Foundation recently announced the ten recipients of its 2018 National Scholars Program. The program, which was established in 2016, provides scholarships of $20,000 each to ten food-focused individuals pursing an education in the culinary arts, food studies, agriculture, hospitality management, and related fields. Durham pastry chef Kendall Vanderslice, most recently of Locopops, was named one of the recipients. At Duke University, Vanderslice will be studying theology of cuisine and eating, while continuing her work in food and religious journalism. Her first book We Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God (Eerdmans Publishing) is due out May 2019.
"The National Scholars scholarship allows me to focus on my thesis research about food and religion. It also energizes me to look for ways I can apply my research to journalism, highlighting the role of religious communities in food justice," Vanderslice says. "I'm grateful for the support of the James Beard Foundation, their deep appreciation of cuisine, and their passion for creating equitable, sustainable food production."
Chef Teddy Diggs Announces Permanent Location for Coronato, Opening Spring 2019
Chef Teddy Diggs announced that his forthcoming Roman-style pizzeria, Coronato, slated to open in Spring 2019, will be located in South Green, a retail development opening on South Greensboro Street in Carrboro. In the meantime, Diggs will continue to host his popular pizza pop-ups to give Triangle diners a taste of his signature crispy, cracker-thin pies. Follow him on Instagram for details on upcoming pop-up events.
There's Less Than a Week Left to Buy Your "Country as Cornbread" T-Shirt
If you follow local chefs on Instagram, you've likely seen posts of them donning "Country as Cornbread" t-shirts popping up on your feed. The t-shirts are part of North Carolina chef and A Chef's Life star Vivian Howard's fundraiser to benefit Hurricane Florence relief efforts in Jones County, a rural county next to Lenoir County where Howard owns two restaurants, Chef and the Farmer and Boiler Room. To date, Howard has sold 3,400 t-shirts; the t-shirts are available available on Howard's website for $25 plus shipping until October 31. Proceeds will be donated to the North Carolina Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund.
EVENTS
Locals Seafood and Local Chefs Throw Day Party to Benefit N.C. Fishing Industry
Locals Seafood, a company dedicated to sourcing and distributing North Carolina-caught seafood, has helped organize Gone Fishin', a day party to raise money for N.C. fishermen and shellfish farmers affected by Hurricane Florence. The event will take place this Saturday, October 27 at Raleigh's Junction West from 12 to 3 p.m. Fifteen local chefs will prepare and serve seafood-inspired dishes, including Andrea Reusing from Lantern, Cheetie Kumar from Garland, Vivian Howard from Chef and the Farmer, Jake Wood from 18 Seaboard, Eric Montagne from Locals Oyster Bar, and Ashley Christensen from Poole's.
"When we gather for a cause, it’s a two-fold mission... we get to serve up a great time, and really move the needle on behalf of an important mission. There’s also a special magic that occurs when we come together as a North Carolina community in the wake of a storm," Christensen says. "This sort of challenge asks more of us as neighbors, and this is a state that rises to that calling. I’m grateful to live here, and honored to step up with this industry to help our friends to the east. The N.C. watermen provide an anchor to so much of what we cook and celebrate here, and we as an industry are tremendously proud to help out in their time of need."
Tickets are $75 and includes all food and drink. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
No Tricks, Just Treats This Halloween at Rise Biscuits and Donuts
Rise Biscuits and Donuts is celebrating Halloween by giving away free sprinkles donuts to customers who wear their costume when visiting any of the eight Triangle locations on October 27, 28, or 31. No purchase is necessary; there is a one-per-customer limit and the offer is available as long as supplies last.
BITE OF THE WEEK
Photo by Layla Khoury-Hanold
Chef Ricky Moore's seafood chowder
There's a reason why we listed TerraVita Food & Drink Festival and its signature Fall Fête as one of our fall guide picks. At last Saturday's tasting event held at the Village Green in Chapel Hill, I expected to eat well, but I was blown away by the chefs' range of creativity and flavors. The dish that stole my taste buds (and that of many festival go-ers) was Saltbox Seafood Joint chef Ricky Moore's Shellfish Chowder.
The coconut milk- and shellfish-stock based broth is amped up white miso and persimmon puree, a complex, salty-sweet duo that perfectly complements the salinity and sweetness of the chunks of local shrimp and crab bobbing in the broth. Instead of potatoes, Moore adds hominy to the mix, as well as an unexpected-yet-welcome addition of smoked tofu. The kicker? A garnish of peanuts and cornflakes, roasted with turmeric,garam masala, and chilies, for a one-two hit of crunch and spice.
