Cooking NC Pork with Colfax Creek Farm

Sept 8, 2023, Day One of the NC Mountain State Fair found us cooking with NC Pork in both of our cooking demos on the

Come to the Cooking Stage at the NC Mountain State Fair

Time for a road trip to Asheville NC, actually Fletcher NC, if you are already setting the GPS. Come on up and join me. I’ll

Kitchen Hacks 101 – Fun Cooking Tips, Tricks and Candied Bacon

I don’t know about you, but for me half the pleasure in cooking are the little tips and tricks that make it all so much

The International Food Trail in Jacksonville NC

If you like to eat and you like to travel, then you are going to love a little project I’ve been working on for a

Smoking Bull Benefit for Randy Lewis of Ran Lew Dairy, July 23

As many of you are aware, much loved and respected NC Dairy Farmer Randy Lewis of Ran Lew Dairy in Snow Camp, NC was attacked

Celebrating North Carolina Peaches

It’s time for the 25th annual Peach Festival in Candor NC, July 13-15; and this year, the celebration continues on with the first ever Peach

Shipley Farm to host Appalachian Food Festival in Vilas, NC

School is out and it’s time for a little summer getaway. Why not start with a day trip this weekend to Vilas, NC, home to

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2023 NCRLA Chef Showdown

Are a working North Carolina chef, pastry chef, bartender or distillery? Or do you know a talented NC chef, pastry chef or bartender or a

Take the Road Less Traveled to SC’s Old 96 District

When most of us travel by car, we hop on the interstate and head out to quickly transport from one metropolis to another. Views on

Easy Springtime Smoothies: How To Drink Your Local Greens

Drinking green this week, not only in anticipation of St. Patty’s Day on Friday but because this is the season for all sorts of locally

Three Day Getaway: Wilmington NC

With Spring and Summer on the horizon, the Carolina Coast is calling. Tom and I have traveled to the Carolina coast many times before. From

Six Sensational Ways to Drink and Eat Locally for Spring

If you have followed this blog or my social media for very long, you will know that I love what I do. My jam is

football, helmet, and shoes

8 Quick and Easy Superbowl Snacks

Superbowl season. That means it time for my very favorite football photo, circa 2016. Yes, that’s me, pink shoes and all. Following the obligatory photo,

How Overnight Oats Become High Protein Waffles

Often one favorite recipes leads to another. Such was the case with a recipe for overnight oats, that I crafted for the team at The

NC Chefs Give Back with Soup On Sunday Event

Possibly the original comfort food, a bowl of hot soup warms our stomachs and soothes our souls. On Sunday January 29, 2023 the annual Soup

In Loving Memory of Ellen Davis, McNinch House Restaurant

Loss hits hard. I sat in my office dumbfounded, staring at my computer screen, after getting the message over the weekend that McNinch House owner

Heidi’s Sunday Suppers Making Easy Cacio e Pepe

Too many years ago now, Tom and I joined friends and took a trip to Italy. Our first stop was Rome and our first meal,

Eating Local with Heidi’s Gluten Free Favorites

Excited to be celebrating National Gluten Free Day with seven sensational locally sourced North Carolina products. If you follow a gluten free diet or not,

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Ham Biscuits and Cheesy Carolina Gold Rice Middlins

Homemade Ham Biscuits and Cheesy Rice Middlins also know as Rice Grits. Practically perfect fare for any breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. And, an excellent

Join Free Range Brewing to celebrate New Year’s Day 2023

Type the words, “New Year’s Day 2023” into your Google search bar and see what happens. Go ahead, I’ll wait…. Seems even the internet is

Last Minute Shopping? Here’s the Ticket

I really hate to use the “P” word; but, if you are one of those procrast… , umm, people who wait to address your holiday

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Cooking for Hanukkah: Potato Latkes

You’ve got to love a holiday that runs for 8 days. Traditional celebrations of any kind stir thoughts of food and family memories. For me,

Easy Cream Cheese -y Holiday Hors D’oeuvres

If you are in the High Point – Winston Salem – Greensboro viewing area and you watched me on Tuesday morning, Dec 13, on My

homemade ravioli with a root vegetable mushroom sauce topped with fresh parsley

Shopping Local and Cooking with Mushrooms & 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

Heidi Billotto’s Best Pumpkin Recipes

Its the time of the year when fresh pumpkin, like all other varieties of winter squash, are abundant in this area. Blend a batch of

On the GotToBeNC Cooking Stage at the NC State Fair

It’s time for the annual NC State Fair. Consider this your invitation to join in all the fun as I join my good friend Got

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Cookies and Pies: Recipes from the NC Mountain State Fair

If you’ve been to see me at the GotToBeNC Cooking Stage at the 2022 NC Mountain State Fair at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher,

Heidi Billotto sitting on a red tractor with produce all around

Roadtrip: Learn to Cook at the NC Mountain State Fair

Time for a road trip to Asheville NC. Come on up and join me. I’ll be hosting the GotToBeNC Cooking Stage inside the Davis Event

You’re Invited to NCRLA Chef Showdown Grand Finale Aug 8, 2022

File this one under “Love What I Do.” As many of you know, in 2015, I first contracted with the NCRLA (North Carolina Restaurant &

tomatoes

It’s Tomato Time, Celebrate with Fresh Tomato Recipes

It’s Time. Tomato Time. WIth the heat of summer comes some wonderful local harvest and I am here to celebrate it all. I am always

Visit Greenwood SC for the Annual Festival of Flowers

Riddle me this. If April Showers bring May Flowers, what happens in June? And the answer is…Topiaries. Amazing larger than life topiaries all a part

Bake Bread for Memorial Day Fun

Here’s a fun family recipe idea for a flag-themed flatbread or foccaccia to help you bake up some Memorial Day fun. It’s an easy and

Champagne cocktails

The Food & Fun You Crave, CLT

Crave CLT is a week-long fun festival of food-centric events that kick off the first week of May 2022. I love that so many in

Two Delicious Ways to Cook Fresh Tuna

Don’t you just love when one delicious dish leads to the next? Such was the case for me this weekend when I prepared two very

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Springtime Tea With Seagrove Potters

Time for a safe and delicious road trip to Seagrove NC, to take in the gorgeous scenery along the way and stop for Tea with

Learning about the African Roots of Southern Cuisine

I love writing about chefs and all they bring to the table. My job becomes even easier when there is a great story to share.

astrotirf

Superbowl Gameday Eats: the round up

Superbowl season. That means it time for my very favorite football photo, circa 2016. Yes, that’s me, pink shoes and all. Following the obligatory photo,

Here’s a sprinkle of Sugar and Cinnamon for your Snow Day

It’s a post that bears repeating. A chill in the air means its time to bake Cinnamon Rolls. If this weekend round of January 2022

Cooking with Mushrooms

This post was inspired by a quick Instagram reel I recently did on cooking with Lion’s Mane Mushrooms. You can watch the reel I made

Drink Local Cocktails and Mocktails

Six – well, seven plus – sensational ways to Drink Local with cocktails and mocktails easy enough for any home bartender. All of them with

Getaway to Greenwood, Abbeville & Ninety Six, South Carolina

It’s time for a little food-centric adventure… this trip finds us in the towns of Greenwood, Abbeville and Ninety Six, SC. You’ll love it all as

Cheers Catherine Rabb

Catherine Rabb was a chef with a passion for making no fuss food that tasted good; a teacher who made learning fun, easy and interesting;

Savory SC pecan Recipes you will love

File this one under “Love What I Do” or, in this case, maybe I should say under “I’m Nuts About What I Do!” But, not

How’s Your Sandwich Savvy?

In anticipation of National Sandwich Day on Wednesday Nov. 3, I’ve been asked to share a few of my favorite things between two slices of

Sweet Treats: Baking Cookies & Handpies

Before we start baking cookies today, Allow me to share a bit of the backstory. On one of my food-centric trips to Greenwood, SC, last

NC State Fair, Here’s What’s Cooking

Excited this week and next Oct 14-24, 2021, to be hosting the GotToBeNC cooking stage at The NC State Fair. You can file this one

How to Make Your Next Meal Dairy Delicious

Excited today to be doing a virtual cooking seminar featuring a variety of delicious dairy products. The seminar is for a meeting of the North

Fun Flatbread for Fall, Ya’ll

Here’s a fun family recipe for a flatbread or foccaccia to make your own. It’s an easy and creative way to cook with your kids

Make A BLT for the Best End-Of-Summer Flavor

I love a good sandwich and BLT’s are one of my faves. Go with the classic combo: bacon, lettuce and ripe in season tomatoes with

Eating Your Way Through Jacksonville NC

Its summer, and we are all looking for a getaway. When I travel it is always food-centric, as my interests take me to local restaurants

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Waffle Your Way to a Happy Stay in Jacksonville NC

Looking for a reason to celebrate? We’ll let’s see, National Waffle Day is officially Aug 24. The good news is, with the tasty travel tip

Local Buys for this Summer Season

June means beachtrips and family vacations, tending to kitchen gardens and, as in any other season of the year, taking time and make considerations to

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from Your kitchen Garden: Pesto

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme… and all sorts of basil, oregano, varieties of mint, lavender and if you plant early enough, maybe even cilantro, too.

champagne and a croissnt

Mothers Day brunching in Charlotte

With so many Charlotte area chefs and restaurants offering Mothers’ Day Brunching options, I thought I’d get you started with a short list of hidden

2021 NCRLA Chef Showdown

Six years ago I was approached by the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, otherwise known as the NCRLA, to organize a fun, one evening

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Keep It Local

As a long time food and travel writer, my mantra and my niche has become to keep it local. I encourage my readers to eat

take out food

Eating out, Dining In and To-go From Uptown Charlotte Restaurants

Time for another round of the Take Away on To-Go dining options. This time with a focus on Uptown Charlotte restaurants. Not only that, but

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2021 Superbowl Snacking continues

In my last post, I shared a great recipe for Superbowl snacking. My super simple Surprise Sandwiches filled with local pork in a mustard marinade

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Kick Up The Flavor for your Superbowl Spread

It’s that time of the year. Superbowl Sunday will most certainly look different for all of us, as we are all still social distancing and

The Take-Away on Take Out Dining In Charlotte

Time for Take Out. Right now, its the very best way to support our local restaurant community. While restaurants are open for business and many

local food products

For the Love of Eating and Drinking Locally

For those of you who follow this blog regularly – or follow my social media, you know I’m a big fan of eating and drinking

Cheesy Rice Cakes with Mushroom Ragout

Today, your second serving of Rice Cakes. This post features the inspiration for Rice Cakes Part 1, my Grilled Cheese post , released earlier this

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A New Spin on Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

Soup and a Sandwich. My go to here is always grilled cheese and tomato soup; with a big “Yes”, when it comes the question of

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Charlotte’s Uptown Farmers market

If there was ever a challenging year to start something new, its been 2020. But all said, lots of great things have happened this year,

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Keep It Local As You Shop Cyber Monday

Keep it Local, it’s my mantra. Shop local, eat local, drink local, celebrate local. This past weekend, today and, I’m sure tomorrow too have felt

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Shop Local at SOUTHEND MARKET

In recent years the Saturday after Thanksgiving has become a day to celebrate shopping with small local businesses. Such was the case on Sat Nov

The Thanksgiving 2020 pivot

This year we won’t have big crowds of family and friends around the Thanksgiving table; but don’t let a change in venue plans take away

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Let’s Go To Pinehurst, Southern Pines & Places Inbetween

The past year has been stressful, that’s for sure. But, as things start looking up, I’ve got a great way to cure that case of

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Tailgating 2020 style

It’s November. That means football; and usually, that means tailgating. This year, as we all know all too well, things are different. But, that doesn’t

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From The Pumpkin Patch

It’s pumpkin season in the Carolinas ( and everywhere else as well) ! Time to celebrate the seasonal squash of October. Let’s get right to

pumpkins

Hocus Pocus, It’s October

Today I’m sharing Five Fabulous Things to celebrate October (& one of them is a pair of cocktail recipes!) With so many ways to safely

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Cooking with Eggplant

Last night I posted this photo of the eggplant on my instagram and pinterest feeds. I purchased four or five of these beauties last weekend

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Local Pear – Fection

While you are out and about, I’ve got a great find to share. While you are shopping local, be sure to treat yourself and buy

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Recap: WRAL Getaway to Asheboro, NC

In Case You Missed It, Here is the replay of my video on WRAL getaway last week. Its a One Day car trip to Asheboro,

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Recipes inspired by A Visit to the Heart of North Carolina

My day trip last week to visit Asheboro and Seagrove North Carolina, both in the Heart of North Carolina, has resulted in two things this

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Local Figs In Season

It’s time for local figs. Actually almost past time, so get ready, time’s a wastin’. Things are about to get figgy! I love the summer.

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One Day Getaway: Asheboro, NC

Are you bored? Don’t know what to do? I’ve got your answer. Hop in the car and join me for a fun one day getaway

Cooking with South Carolina Boiled Peanuts

They are a well-known summer staple in the South. You see them at roadside farm stands and at farmers markets. And, folks who love a

crave clt

The Food & drink You Crave, CLT

What is it that you Crave, Clt? As restaurants reopen in the Queen City, we are all asking the same question. Where can we go

Summer Seafood

Nothing says, “Here’s to Eating Local”, better than Summer Seafood on the grill! But, where to shop for seafood? I am glad you asked…. Take

summer veggies

Eat Your Summer Veggies

Tiz the season for a bounty of Summer veggies and a wonderful time to shop, cook and eat local. A couple of weeks ago, I

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Take A Day Away, Destination: Greenwood, SC

Destination Greenwood, SC. If sheltering in place and staying at home has you a little stir crazy these days – maybe you just need to

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How To Cook with Fennel

How are you eating local? This time a year, for me, a weekend Farmers’ Market trip almost always includes the purchase of several bulbs of

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As Charlotte restaurants reopen, Here’s What you need to know…

June 25 Update – Remember the three W’s – wash your hands, watch your distance and WEAR A MASK – when you go out in

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How to Make Seafood Pot Pie

Looking to find great seafood choices while you are still sheltering in place; and even after restrictions start to relax a bit? My friends at

how to cook

Learn How To Cook with Heidi Billotto

Want to learn how to cook? Although I hate that we can’t be gathered together in the kitchen, on the farm or around the table;

Home Delivery: The New Way to Shop Local

Home delivery. The convenient new way to shop local and support local businesses. With farmers markets open on the weekends; and farm stores open during

how to cook

Cooking Classes Online Spring 2020

Post Update: Check out the list of all the new 2020 Spring and Summer cooking classes here… Honestly, this is not how I pictured my

cooking classes

Here is How You Can Help

Many of you have written me to ask how you can help our local farmers, chefs and restaurants. The COVID 19 crisis has been hard

25 Plus Places to Shop Local – March 2020

No better place to shop for local produce, proteins and product than from local farmers markets, farm stores and locally run businesses. In late March,

South carolina restaurants

Charlotte restaurants Offer Take Out and Delivery: Update March 2020

Usually my posts about Charlotte restaurants include a round up of six new places I think you should try. But these are not usual times.

charlotte restaurants

Charlotte RESTAURANTS And Farmers market Updates

The world seems topsy turvy right now. In the wake of the COVID-19 corona virus, Charlotte restaurants, chefs and farmers are flexing creative muscles, so

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Eat Local And Plant-Based when you Cook with Hempeh

If you love to eat local and are in search of vegan or vegetarian proteins, allow me to teach you how to cook with Hempeh.

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Charlotte Chefs and Restaurants lend a helping hand

I have always said that very wonderful things happen when and where Charlotte chefs gather. And, it is incredible how very short of a time

How To Eat in Season

How to eat in season? It’s easier than you think. Happy to share six sensational ways to eat and drink locally and in season –

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YoCo Taste Trail 2020

Its time for another culinary adventure. This one takes us to South Carolina’s York County, to follow the 2020 YoCo Taste Trail. Thanks to the

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Hearts, Chocolate & Flowers

Quicker than Cupid’s arrow, Heidi Billotto here, with a rundown of several creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s 2020 with a variety of local hearts, chocolate

Made in the Carolinas

Made In The Carolinas for you to Eat and Drink Local

So many ways to eat and drink locally, all of them this week produced, packaged and made in the Carolinas. With one bonus find, not

Superbowl

Have a Foodie Field Day this Superbowl Weekend

Wouldn’t be a Superbowl post if I didn’t kick things off by sharing one of my favorite photos! So before we huddle up with all

Heidi Billotto

Cooking with Local Condiments

Cooking with condiments shortcuts meal prep and makes it all easy. Ready for a great recipe? I love sharing all of the delicious ways you

Eating Out for Charlotte Restaurant Week Winter 2020

Where are you eating out for Charlotte Restaurant Week? It is Jan 22, we are 5 days into the 10-day stretch that is Queen’s Feast

Eating Out

Queen’s Feast 2020 Winter Edition

It’s Baaacck. The 10 day stretch of dining delirium known as Queen’s Feast or Charlotte Restaurant Week. 2020’s Winter Edition of this biannual “Royal Repast”

heidi Billotto

Charlotte Restaurants Near Me

How many times have you been on the search for a great place to go to eat and googled , “Charlotte Restaurants Near Me” ?

Heidi Billotto

Charlotte Restaurants on the Radar

As we start this year, I, like you, find myself with many new Charlotte restaurants to try, that’s for sure. Add all the new places

restaurants near me

December Restaurants: A RoundUp of Holiday Cheer

If you are talking restaurants, 2019 has been a busy year for Charlotte. Almost every day in November a new dining establishment opened its doors

eat and drink local

More Ways to Eat and Drink Local

As this first week of December almost comes to a close, I’d like to offer another round of wonderful ways for you to eat and

drink local

Six Sensational Ways to Drink Local

It has become a holiday tradition. My December post with a half dozen or so ways to drink local this holiday season and on into

Eating local

Holiday Helpers Edition of Eating Local

When it comes to eating local, you know I am always on the search for new and interesting products, produce and proteins to share. In

Nuts About Pecans

Is it Pi-kon or Pee-can? No matter how you say it, pecans are the local nut of the season. Today’s post is driven by my

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Thanksgiving On the Table

With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, you may be feeling a bit down to the wire. Don’t panic. Panicking never helps anything.  Take a

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Eye On The Pie

No doubt your holiday menu this season will involve a pie or two. While there are lots of great places in town to order for

asheville

Asheville NC : Falling into the Season

Time for all that leaf peeping don’t you know. The best place to take it all in and enjoy the fresh air and cooler preseason

Eat Local Drink Local

I love what I do! This morning, I am excited to be sharing six sensational ways to eat and drink local on The Charlotte Today Show

NC Chef Showdown Winners

NC Chef Showdown Winners Take to the Airwaves

I am still reeling from all the fun this week as the 2019 NCRLA Chef Showdown celebrated its grande finale on Monday Sept 30, 2019

North Carolina

North Carolina Roadtrip: Travel to the Triangle

Time for a recap and all the details on planning your next North Carolina Roadtrip with stops in Burlington, Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, NC.

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North Carolina Travel: Triangle Tease

Should you find yourself in need of a respite or just feel like it may be time to get the heck out of Dodge for

Seven Ways to Eat and Drink Local

Eat and Drink Local. Over the years it’s become my mantra. With so many locally grown, raised, caught and made products across the Carolinas, its

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The Sandwich. A Great Way to Eat Local.

Invented in 1762 by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of  Sandwich, today I find this “best thing since sliced bread” a wonderful way to showcase

What’s Up in Spartanburg SC ?

At just under an hour and 30 minutes away from Charlotte NC, leave this morning and your Spartanburg SC getaway could start today, or any

South carolina restaurants

South Carolina Restaurants Update with Video and more

Wow! Just Wow! I am delighted at the response from my post on South Carolina Restaurants last week. The original article featuring a half dozen

August Restaurant Roundup: SC Hidden Gems

This week, I’m swinging down to South Carolina for my August Restaurant Roundup, to share what’s cooking across state lines. I’ve spent a lot of

Heidi Billotto

Happy Birthday, Julia Child

August 15, Happy Birthday Julia Child. Child, who passed away in August of 2004 was our nation’s grande dame of cuisine and my personal  culinary hero. She

Heidi Billotto

NCRLA Culinary Competition Continues

Time for an update on the North Carolina Culinary Competition of the year – the 2019 NCRLA Chef Showdown! This month marks the next phase

Tea with Seagrove Potters

Plan a day trip or maybe an overnight adventure, for the annual summertime edition of “Tea with Seagrove Potters”, Saturday, August 21, 2021 from 10am-5pm.

2019 NCRLA Chef Showdown

Time for the fourth annual NCRLA Chef Showdown. Call your food-centric friends, mark your calendars and save the date.  Stay tuned for updates as the

More Charlotte Restaurant Week: Queen’s Feast Summer 2019

This time last week I was working on my first Charlotte Restaurant Week post for the Summer of 2019. Now, as I write on Thursday

Queens Feast Summer 2019

Its time to raise your glass and say Cheers to Queens Feast. Make plans now to celebrate summer at Charlotte’s largest dinner party. It all

Summer Says, Ice Cream

Nothing beats a cone or a bowl of ice cream, anytime of the year, But in the heat of the summer it a go-to for

South Carolina Roadtrip: BBQ and Music, too!

What do you get when you gather over 100 different BBQ teams with 20 blues musicians, arts exhibits & a ton of family fun? Sounds like a fabulous summer festival and the perfect excuse for a roadtrip to Greenwood, SC! #TellThemHeidiSentYou

Everything’s Peach -y

In a sister post to a duo of peachy recipes she shared last week, this week Heidi Billotto continues to eat local and drink local with a how to video and even more recipes featuring South Carolina peaches and peach products from Titan Farms. #TellThemHeidiSentYou

Cooking with South Carolina Peaches

I’m kicking things off this morning with a couple of tasty recipes you will love. Both feature South Carolina peaches from Titan Farms in Ridge

local cucumbers

The Karma of Local Cucumbers

Its time to celebrate the season with all that is local and right now for Charlotte Culinary Expert Heidi Billotto, that means celebrating the karma of local cucumbers.

3 Day Weekend in Greenwood, SC

Join food and travel writer Heidi Billotto as she takes you on a tour of Greenwood SC. There are a host of “unexpected wonders” for you to discover and enjoy!

Heidi Billotto

Make Mine Local

Eat and Drink Local with food writer Heidi Billotto. In this post she shares six delicious local North and South Carolina products. But that’s not all. When you eat local you help support local economies and support local communities, too.

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Where and What to Eat

Food writer Heidi Billotto has had a busy couple of weeks. Follow her culinary adventures and food-centric travel as she share her “What I Eight” list of don’t miss local eats from NC Cheeses to SC Onion Rings. #TellThemHeidiSentYou

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Fried Green Tomatoes

I don’t know who decided to fry the first green tomatoes, but I am sure glad they did! Credited with strictly Southern roots, a quick

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Eggs. The Sequel.

Heidi Billotto shares more on cooking with eggs, plus this post includes a fun video and a delicious recipe for Heidi’s Spinach Souffle!

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The Egg. All You Need to Know

Nothing like fresh local eggs. The taste is divine so use them for every meal! Heidi Billotto shares all you need to know about cooking with local eggs.