Meet Heidi Billotto – Let me tell you a little bit about myself before our trip begins!
Then, use this page as a table of contents to read individual posts – it starts with my most recent posts. You can scroll down for more from 2021 and 2020; or type whatever you are looking for in the search bar at the bottom of this page and find whatever you need.
Tega Hills Farm to Retire Hydroponic Lettuce and Microgreen Operations
Everything you need to know about a visit to Beaufort NC
Here’s How to help NC Dairy Farmer, Randy Lewis of RanLew Dairy in Snow Camp, NC
Please find updates and the link for donations to help Randy and the farm at gofundme.com/f/ranlewdairy
It’s Time for NC Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Bartenders and NC Distilleries to apply for the 2023 NCRLA Chef Showdown.
Are a working NC chef, pastry chef, bartender or distillery? Don’t miss the chance to apply to compete in the 2023 NCRLA Chef Showdown. Applications accepted NOW – Midnight on April 17. Heidi Billotto shares the link for applications and all the delicious details on the upcoming 2023 statewide competition!
This culinary and cocktail competition is THE ONLY statewide contest in which the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association names the NCRLA Chef of the Year, NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year, and NCRLA Bartender of the Year and the NCRLA Distillery of the Year.
Ready for A Roadtrip? Take the road less traveled to South Carolina’s Old 96 District
Next time you want to getaway, take the road less traveled. Food Writer, Heidi Billotto shares the hidden gems in Abbeville, Edgefield and Laurens that you’ll find along the way.
Easy Springtime Smoothies
Drink in your greens and try sipping your salad with Heidi Billotto’s master recipe ( and all sorts of variations on the theme) for Easy Springtime Smoothies.
Heidi’s March Email Newsletter hot off the presses.
Check out all the deliciousness now! #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Time to Travel – Visit the Carolina Coast with a trip to Wilmington NC
Let Heidi share her great food-centric travel finds for spring of 2023 with all there is to see, do, visit and eat in Wilmington NC.
Six Sensational Ways to Drink Local and Eat Local this Spring
Read all about it here. Get Heidi’s Springtime list for great ways to eat and drink locally. Then stay tuned for the follow up recipe post with a recipe featuring each of the list of locally produced products.
Don’t Miss the Feb 20, 2023 Dinner!
Last year it was my pleasure to attend and write about the 2022 History & Homage dinner in Charlotte.
This year I’m delighted to let you know how you can experience it again for yourself. Tickets on sale for the 2023 History & Homage dinner here. #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Read more about the 2022 dinner by all the same chefs, here.
8 Quick and Easy Superbowl Snacks
It’s that time of the year…
Tis the season to pull out my very favorite football photo, circa 2016. Yes, that’s me, pink shoes and all.
Click through to find 8 quick and easy Superbowl Snacks. Enjoy some of my favorite recipes for your game day spread. #IllHaveWhatHeidisHaving
Listen in on my conversation with Jen & Abby of Charlotte Podcast Amused Bouche
Didi I tell you about the time I was on a podcast? Listen in and enjoy!
Cooking with Mushrooms and More
How are you shopping local this week? In the winter months, on my list of go-tos are the season’s assortment of root veggies and a slew of local mushrooms. Keep reading for all of my local sources – many available to order online; and for two fabulous recipes using all that is currently in season.
Overnight Oats aren’t just for Breakfast Anymore – now they’re High Protein Waffles, too
Use my recipes, found here on the blog for my friends at The Dairy Alliance, for a delicious and nutritious batch of overnight oats and as the starter for the very best high protein waffles and morning or afternoon muffins you’ve ever had. The recipes are all quick, easy and delicious. You’re going to love them as much as we do – honestly, we can’t stop eating these waffles!
Eating Local and Gluten Free
In this post, we celebrated National Gluten Free Day with 7 sensational locally sourced North Carolina products. From Peanut Butter to Protein Powder, plus matcha, egg seasoning kits, turmeric golden drops, rice flour and more. If you follow a Gfree diet or not, you’ll find these are all delicious ways to Eat Local. Recipes & Where to buy links included.
Celebrate breakfast or brunch of homemade ham biscuits and Tidewater Grain Company cheesy rice Middlins.
Updating an old post with a trio of recipes to help you with recipes for breakfast and brunching. Cheers to celebrate another year of delicious ways to eat and drink locally!
Shop Local and learn to make Cacio e Pepe
Mano Bella Artisan Foods in Charlotte has a new Gluten free pasta made from Tidewater Grain Co. Carolina Gold Rice.
Get some at local CLT area farmers markets On Saturday mornings . Then cook it using the Cacio e Pepe recipe in this post over the weekend.
Don’t Miss the Sunday January 29 Soup on Sunday event!
On Sun., Jan 29, 11am to 2pm, the annual Soup on Sunday event showcases talented Charlotte chefs at a family-friendly soup tasting event to benefit the work of Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region. Entertainment throughout the event provided by Charlotte musician, Tom Billotto, on vocals and guitar. Tickets are available at the door. Read all about it here. #TellThemHeidiSentYou
In Loving Memory of The McNinch House Restaurant’s Ellen Davis
Saddened by the sudden loss and taking a moment to share some memories of Ellen Davis, owner and driving force behind Charlotte’s historic McNinch House Restaurant.
Ring In New Year’s Day with Free Soup, Fun and Fellowship at Free Range Brewing in Charlotte.
Celebrate New Year’s Day in Charlotte with friends and family and Free Soup at Free Range Brewing in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood from 11am to 2 pm. Join 20 ares chefs for soup, baked goods and tons of fun. Don’t miss it.
Saying Cheers to the Themed Craft Cocktails set for the 2022-23 Broadway season at Blumenthal Performing Arts
Looking for a great last minute gift – give tickets to one of the Broadway performances at Blumenthal in Charlotte. Did you know this season there are 14 craft cocktails paired with 14 of the Broadway shows? What a delicious idea – read more here!
Making Potato Latkes for Hanukkah
Gotta love a holiday that lasts for 8 days! In this post, sharing my recipe for Hanukkah Latkes, with notes on how to make Schmaltz. Keeping this family recipe local by using Tidewater Grain Co. rice flour; Coddle Creek Farms Eggs & a Carolina Cooker pan. Enjoy!
Easy Cream Cheese -y Holiday Hors D’oeuvres
If you are in the High Point – Winston Salem – Greensboro viewing area and you watched me this morning on My Fox 8 with Co-host Cindy Farmer, then you saw how having a block of real dairy cream cheese on hand can make the holidays easy peasy ( and oh so cheesy!)
The post is live now, with all three recipes for cooking with cream cheese p;us some fun tips for holiday garnishing. Enjoy!
Summer Means its Time for an All Local BLT
.Local tomatoes are just starting to pop up at area Farmers Markets and in our home gardens. I don’t want to jump the gun, but once the warmer weather hits, nothing it seems satisfies like a homemade BLT.
This is a fun video and blog post I did with my good friend Chad Blackwelder from the NC Department of Agriculture last year. As the season has come around again, I thought it was worthy of a replay. Here’s the link: https://heidibillottofood.com/2021/09/06/make-a-blt-for-the-best-end-of-summer-flavor/
Bake Up some Flag-Themed Fun for Memorial Day
Here’s a quick and easy idea to add to your Memorial Day cook out or picnic menu. It’s a flag – themed focaccia that everyone will love – here’s the link to the post: https://wp.me/p3MWzX-6wg
Two Ways to Serve Seared Tuna
I love fresh tuna, grilled tuna steaks and raw tuna sushi. Searing is a great way to cook fresh high quality tuna and in this post you will find two of my favorite recipes with lots of links for local poducts to make the duo of dishes even better. Enjoy!
3/14 – It’s Pi Day!
If you love baking pies and eating pies. Follow this link for Heidi’s how tos on some of her favorite pie recipes.
It’s Time for Tea in Seagrove NC – Don’t miss this annual Springtime Saturday getaway!
Time for Tea, Sat March 12, 2022, 10am to 5pm. Destination: Seagrove NC for the annual Tea with Seagrove Potters. This post includes event details and everything you need to know about brewing the perfect pot of hot or iced tea! #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Black History Month Dinner at Community Matters Cafe Recap
This post shines a spotlight on a group of up and coming chefs in Charlotte, NC; and shares how they came together to pay homage and salute the history of the African Roots of Southern Cuisine. It’s a delicious story you are going to love.
Recipes for National Cook with Sweet Potatoes Day
Did you know that North Carolina is the Number One sweet potato producing state in the US? And that there are over 200 different varieties of sweet potatoes ! WOW! You’ll find lots of local farmers with a variety of sweet potatoes to sell at area farmers markets and if you are in need of recipes – I have plenty to share. Among them, Sweet Potato Tots, Sweet Potato Toasties, More Sweet Potato Toasties with a Video Recipe. This post has a recipe for a fabulous pumpkin cheesecake, but try it with mashed sweet potatoes in place of the pumpkin puree for delicious results.
Superbowl Sunday: Heidi Shares Recipes That Really Score
In this round-up post Heidi links back to some of her favorite Superbowl recipes ( all featuring local products) and shares some new ideas as well. Get your game face on – its going to be delicious!!
Snow Day Special: Heidi Billotto Bakes Cinnamon Rolls and Buttermilk Biscuits
In search of the sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon for this weekend of wintery weather. Here’s the “How To” on Baking homemade cinnamon rolls and buttermilk biscuits
Cooking with Local Mushrooms
Are you in the mood to cook local with cultivated wild mushrooms, this post with video has three terrific recipes and features lots of local North Carolina Products you are going to love.
Ready for some Cocktailing and Mocktailing?
You’ve come to the right place… Join Heidi Billotto as you check out these half dozen plus ways to drink local now and on through into the new year.
A Food-Centric Adventure to Abbeville, Greenwood and Ninety-Six, SC
Time for some fun and a little food-centric travel . Follow along with Heidi’s adventures and suggestions on a great place to stay and all there is to eat, see and do in this great part of the Palmetto State.
Remembering A Friend
Written in remembrance of my friend Catherine Rabb of Fenwick’s
Cooking with SC Pecans
Easy Appetizers and more Savory SC Pecan recipes you will love. Plus a tasty video recipe is in the post as well.
The Best Things Between Two Slices of Bread
How is your Sandwich Savvy? Check out this list of great things happening between two slices of bread, then stay tuned for updates.
Sweet Treats for Halloween
A Delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe and Halloween idea for cookie dough treat and holiday handpies – printed and video recipes.
September 2021
Look at all the Local – winners of the 2021 NC Specialty Foods Awards
January 2021 Posts:
In this first post for January, we are Upping Our Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Game ! Technical difficulties this morning in posting for reasons known only to the internet; but I am working to get this post up asap.
If you’ve watched the Charlotte Today segment or follow my social media and want the recipe for these delicious cheese stuffed rice cakes, I can’t wait to get it in your hands.
Stay and sit a while and look at all the other posts; or, stay tuned, come back and check later today. Or better yet, subscribe to the blog and as soon as this recipe posts goes live, it’ll come right to your in box. Apologies for the delay – but it’ll be worth it I promise!
December 2020 Posts:
How to Make Phillips Brothers Country Ham Biscuits and Tidewater Grain Company Cheesy Carolina Gold Rice Grits – Recipes and Video Recipes included in this post.
Happy Hanukkah! – Time to make potato latkes with a recipe and easy to follow video recipe you are going to love!
All about shopping local at the Uptown Farmers Market. Plus a wonderful holiday recipe for Peking Duck, mandarin pancakes and all!
Here’s the how to from Heidi on making and baking great holiday pies.
November 2020 Posts
8 Great Ways to Keep it Local as you Shop online on Cyber Monday and on into the holiday season.
Here is where you can order Tidewater Grain Company Carolina Gold Rice, white rice, brown rice and middlins or rice grits. #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Shopping Local so you can cook local and eat local at the Southend Market in Charlotte NC. This post includes recipes and fun holiday cooking contest you’ll want to be sure and enter. Read more here.
Glad to have penned this article about my go-to mushroom guy Hiram Ramirez at Urban Gourmet Mushroom farms for the Piedmont Culinary Guild in Charlotte, NC.
Here’s how to do it all…Thanksgiving Recipes, tips and tricks from Turkey to Pie
Plan a 2 or 3 day getaway to Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen and all the places in between. Keep safe and socially distanced and dive into all there is to see and do and eat and drink. You’re going to love it even if you don’t play golf! #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Find the recipes and Homegating tips related to Heidi’s Homegating instagram video and The Dairy Alliance giveaway right here.
October 2020 posts
From the Pumpkin Patch – Here’s the how to on cooking with local pumpkins and winter squash
Five Fabulous Things to do for October 2020 ( and one of them is a pair of cocktail recipes!)
September 2020 posts
Tis the season for cooking with local apples – find the “Apple of your Pie” right here.
Need a quick and easy dinner? You’ll love this Cooking with Local Eggplant post and my recipe for Grilled Eggplant Parmesan.
August 2020 posts
Cooking with Local Pears from Hot Pepper Herb Farm at the Matthews Community Farmers Market.
One Day Getaway from Raleigh to the Heart of North Carolina as seen on WRAL-TV with anchor Ken Smith. Post includes the video and all the delicious details.
Not a blog post, but delighted to share this freelance piece
Thrilled to have this article in both the print and online versions of AAA Carolinas, Go Magazine Food Issue Sept/Oct 2020! Treat Yourself to some of the best bakeries across the Carolinas here. That’s my friend Master baker Lionel Vatinet from La Farm Bakery in Cary, NC on the cover!!
Find more great reads on these digital pages…
More on Asheboro NC with an post of recipes inspired by my latest visit to the Heart of North Carolina.
How to cook with Local Figs. The season is short but delicious. These recipes will help you to preserve all the sweet flavors of local figs.
It’s time for the annual Tea with Seagrove Potters -a great excuse for a fabulous one day getaway to Asheboro and Seagrove NC both in the Heart of North Carolina! Here is everything you need to know! #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Everything you need to know about cooking with one of this summer’s favorites – Local tomatoes. That’s right, it’s Tomato Time!!! Includes tips, recipes and a video recipe, too.
On a recent trip to the Greenwood County Farmers’ Market in Greenwood, SC, Culinary Expert, Heidi Billotto was inspired by the taste of SC’s Official Snack Food: Boiled Peanuts. In this post she shares a trio of recipes you’ll certainly want to try too! As seen on Charlotte Today, the boiled peanut pie recipe here is just one of three delicious way to eat local!
July 2020 posts
July 15, 2020 – Crave CLT, a new summer festival of food, wine and mixology, taking place in the Queen City the week of July 21-26, 2020. Everything you need is here to make your reservations for a series of delicious events including dinners, wine and beer tastings, brunches and BBQs. #TellThemHeidiSentYou
July 2, 2020 – How to Cook Summer Seafood on and off the grill. Heidi’s Favorite recipes for crabcakes, whole grilled fish, grilled fish fillets and steaks and an easy recipe for homemade seafood broth.
June 2020 posts
Eat Your Summer Veggies – with recipes for a Zucchini Galette ( as seen on Charlotte Today) , Wild Mushroom Parmesan and a great go-to mushroom sauce that starts with jar!
How about a one day getaway – I suggest you go to visit Greenwood, SC for a fun walking tour of gorgeous topiaries and some fun sweet treats! #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Do you love to eat Local? Here’s the scoop on How to Cook with Local Fennel
What you need to know as Charlotte restaurants begin to reopen. As seen on a restaurant segment on Charlotte Today…
Enjoy this summertime second helping of ice cream recipes – Summer Says Ice Cream
Spring and Summer Comfort Food: Strawberries and Cream ( written for my friends at The Dairy Alliance for their late May Blog post )
Go see the Topiaries in Greenwood, SC – The city is in Bloom! Plus where to eat, where to stay and what else to do while you are there!
May 2020 Posts & Pages from Heidi Billotto
More Online Cooking Classes At Home with Heidi and On the Farm May – June 2020 If you missed a class we ran during the past three months, don’t dismay. You can still get the recipes via email and a link to the video of the class. simply order the link to the video replay for just $16 ( recipes included as well)
May 15, 2020 – Read all about what local Farmers are bringing to the table in this member profile piece I penned on Emma Hendel of Fair Share Farm written for the Piedmont Culinary Guild.
May 7, 2020 –Delivered To Your Door a fun new way to Eat Local and Drink Local and shelter in place all at the same time. Listings, photos and video from my April appearance on the Charlotte Today show.
May 6 – Did you listen to Charlotte Talks on WFAE this morning? I had a blast with host Mike Collins, cookbook author, Charlotte’s own Peter Reinhardt and NYTimes food writer and cookbook author, Melissa Clark talking about what and how all of us are cooking at home. Missed it? No worries – you can listen to the replay here.
May 5- How to Make a Seafood Pot Pie -recipe and video plus info on how and where to shop local for ingredients.
Heidi’s April 2020 Posts & Pages
April 2020 Online Cooking Classes – Let’s Learn to Cook! Time to reset, pivot & point yourself in the direction of tons of fun as Heidi Billotto presents her 2020 Spring series of At Home with Heidi & On the Farm cooking classes in an online format for you to watch & enjoy. #TellThemHeidiSentYou
April 2020 – Check out this article I wrote on How to Continue to Support Local Restaurants for AAA of the Carolinas digital magazine! Its called, “Until We Eat Again!”
To get Next Day Delivery from Inland Seafood in Charlotte, go to OrderInland.com by Noon on Sunday – Thursday for next day delivery to your door.
See what you can learn to cook from ChefList CLT, an exciting new culinary partnership between Chef Vince Giancarlo of Zeppelin, FreshList in Charlotte, Harmony Ridge Farms, Toast to the Queen City and Reel Talk Media, visit the website here.
To see ( and order) all the take and bake options from Amelie’ French Bakery in Charlotte, visit the website here. The directions for making the almond Croissants will be up here.
April 2, 2020 – Your go-to listing of Charlotte Area Farmers’ Markets and Farm Stores
April 2020 – Here is how you can help Charlotte area Restaurants and those across the state. Also how to help your favorite hotels, resorts and B&B’s. And links on where to order the Ya’ll Sauce, fundraising T-Shirt
March 2020 Posts & Pages
March 27 – In this Shop Local post, Heidi shares more than 25 great Charlotte area resources so you can shop local for NC & SC product, proteins and produce. From Farmers markets and Farm Stores, & some restaurants, too. Where will you be shopping local this week?
March 25: Heidi Billotto shares updates on Charlotte Restaurants’ Take Out and Delivery options; and tells why its important to buy restaurant Gift Certificates now.
March 31 – Subscribe and stay tuned….My 10 tips for cooking with Essential Oils post will be up later today March 31, 2020. Meanwhile, start here and here.
An update on all Charlotte Restaurants are doing and offering to help us get through the crisis, keep our distance and still eat well. Also included, links to recipes and what to expect at Charlotte area Farmers markets this weekend. #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Want to Eat Local and Plant-Based? Here are three great recipes and a video as Heidi teaches you How to cook with Smiling Hara Hempeh!
Charlotte Chefs Helping Us All Eat Well in the Wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus Get all the up-to-date info here and here is the link for the Go Fund Me Campaign to help Charlotte Chefs feed local kids lunch.
Six Sensational ways to Eat and Drink in Season. In this post Heidi shares ways for everyone from adults to babies to your furry four-legged friends as well, can all eat locally and in season. Recipes and video, too!
Feb 2020 Posts & Pages
Dining on the YoCo Taste Trail, get the delicious details here
Sharing ways to Drink & Eat local on WRAL – Feb 17, 2020 – get the preview post here
Valentine Hearts, Chocolate & Flowers, read more here
Six Delicious Ways – and then some – to Eat Local. As seen on Charlotte Today! You can read the post here…
Have a Field Day, with these Superbowl Party recipes featuring lots of local product
Jan 2020 Posts & Pages
My Winter Roasted Root Vegetable Salad Recipe with cheesy hot pepper jelly croutons is featured in my Cooking with Local Condiments post here.
Hi, I’m Heidi Billotto. Follow me via these HeidiBillottoFood.com pages for all sorts of food and travel adventures. We’ll talk about chefs and restaurants. I’ll share lots of recipes and the dates for upcoming cooking classes with info on how you can attend. And, you can look forward to exploring the world of eating and drinking locally no matter where you live. Its going to be a most delicious ride and all along the way I encourage you to #TellThemHeidiSentYou
Heidi Billotto ‘s Cooking Classes and Gift Certificates
The 2020 list of Jan, Feb and March cooking classes will go live the first week in January 2020.
There is really nothing like one of my At Home with Heidi or On The Farm cooking classes. In a 2 1/2 – 3 hour time frame we prepare four to five different courses, each centered around one theme. Each “On the Farm” class also includes a farm tour. The classes are all designed to be hands-on. But, if guests would rather just sit back, visit and watch others cook, that’s fine with me, too. My goal is to give you a fun and relaxing evening, morning or afternoon with friends. Plus, we have samples, wine pairings, printed recipes and take home gift backs for everyone in attendance.
If one of my regular cooking class dates doesn’t suit; I suggest you plan a private cooking class or team building event all your own?
Looking for the perfect gift? My cooking class gift certificates are always the right size and the right color. They come topped with tissue printed with my Pink and White signature Heidi Billotto Food logo, ready for gift giving
Road Trips with Heidi Billotto
Why not come along for the ride. I love traveling across the Carolinas, and beyond. I’m always happy to share the details here. In hopes that you’ll plan some food-centric travel, a three day weekend or a fun staycation all your own.
Stay tuned for a new sub section under travel and road trips – coming the first week of 2020. It will be an evergreen list of lots of great places to stay while you travel. Great places like many of the member inns of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association in Asheville, NC. Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill in Mills River, NC near Hendersonville, NC. The Beaufort Hotel in Beaufort, NC ; the AC Hotel in Spartanburg, SC ; and the Inn on the Square in Greenwood, SC. Plus, in Durham NC: The Durham Hotel, 21c Museum Hotel and Morehead Manor B&B. And in Raleigh, the Marriott Center City and the Marriott Residence Inn Crabtree Valley, just to name a few.
Eat Local | Drink Local
So THIS is really my jam. I love sharing lots of ways that we can all eat and drink local. The joy is that as you shop locally from farmers and producers, you also help to support the local economy. It’s a delicious win-win!
Restaurants
Who doesn’t love going out to eat to see what local chefs are bringing to the table? At least once a month I write some sort of restaurant roundup. These feature a group of a half dozen wonderful restaurants that share something in common you need to know. You’ll never read a “bad” review on these pages; but I do like to give new places a chance. To that end, I’ve never tried to get the scoop on any other writer. Instead, I try to give a restaurant at least 6 weeks before I plan to write. And with that, I try to go back at least a couple of times before I offer an opinion. And, you’ll find its important to me to keep it all in a positive voice. Only places that are worth your dining out dollars posted here.
Recipes
Its all about the how-to. In these posts I share lots of recipes revolving around local product, produce and protein. I like to add in traditional technique, plus a few fun tips and tricks. Occasionally I like to toss a few kitchen and culinary hacks in the mix. You’ll love using these to surprise and amaze all of your friends
Heidi Billotto on TV
I am so fortunate to be able to make monthly appearances in Charlotte on WCNC’s Charlotte Today; and in Raleigh on WRAL’s 9 O’Clock hour news broadcast at least once or twice a month. On TV, you’ll find me doing what I do on these digital pages. I cook and share recipes; chat about local, regional and state wide culinary events; and share the details on all the places you must go to eat. As you might suspect I also do regular segments that feature local product from across the Carolinas.
Most of the time, I embed these videos in the blog posts that have all the details of whatever I shared on TV. But with the new year, look for a new section on the blog. Here I’ll have all the videos in one place. And then, with each I’ll provide a link back to the post with the recipe, the where-to-buy info or the map to everything you need to be sure to see.