Meet Heidi Billotto

Hi! I’m Heidi Billotto. Allow me to introduce myself…

Hi there! It’s great to meet you!  I am Heidi Billotto, a Charlotte, NC-based culinary expert. I’ve been writing about food and restaurants for regional magazines, newspapers, blogs & websites since the early 1980s!  

I blog regularly on these pages sharing recipes and food centric fun. In my posts, I share stories on the all-you-want-to-know about farmers and chefs across the Carolinas. Blog and magazine topics change from week to week. Sometimes, I’m writing about a group of restaurants or a single chef; other times my focus is on food-centric travel, a festival or a singular event. And, I always preach the gospel of Eating and Drinking Local, no matter where you are or where you live.

When I’m not blogging, I write and edit the culinary offerings for several local and regional printed and online publications.. I also makes regular appearances on several Charlotte and Raleigh television stations. On TV, I share tips in monthly cooking segments, 3-day weekend travel segments and monthly restaurant roundups.

I am proud of the fact, that over the years I’ve interviewed tons of cool culinarians, many of them food and wine-centric greats. The in person list includes chefs Paul Bocuse, Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Ming Tsai; wine guru Robert Parker and, while we never met in person, it was my honor and pleasure to interview the incomparable Julia Child, by phone, on two separate occasions!

When Heidi Billotto is not writing…

I enjoy free lance work as food stylist for many national chefs and cookbook authors, and PR firms.

I’ve been a James Beard Awards judge and the voice of social media for several organizations and local products as well as a statewide competition dining series. I love being behind a mic and am often asked to host a festival or celebrity cooking stage.

In 2015, the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) hired me to create the NC Chef Showdown. I’ve continued to help organize and host the event, now called the NCRLA Chef Showdown each year since its inception. The result of this statewide competition is North Carolina’s Chef of the Year; Pastry Chef of the Year and Mixologist of the Year.

Inbetween classes, writing, interviews and special events, I love to cook. As a result, I have parlayed my passions into a small but successful catering business.

Heidi Billotto ‘s Cooking Classes

I teach a regular schedule of fun and informative  cooking classes. My classes take place both in my home kitchen & on local farms. Since March of 2020, I offer online virtual classes as well. Take a moment, and read more about my On the Farm and At Home with Heidi Cooking classes here.

In addition, I regularly teach private in-home or office cooking classes for corporate team building & social gatherings. My focus is on seasonal food & locally raised, grown, caught or made proteins, produce and products; and often, but not always, organic alternatives.

Want to know more?

Then, you need to subscribe to my email newsletter with info about all I do with links back to this blog at HeidiBillottoFood.com. Simply email me at HeidiBillotto@gmail.com. Send me your email address for the newsletter. Then, don’t forget to sign up to follow these digital pages as well.

Life is better together

I am married to the very talented and  well-known Charlotte NC-based musician, Tom Billotto.  We often work together providing “food and mood” at private parties and corporate events.

A classically trained musician, Tom provides the mood with guitar and vocals while I handle all of your catering needs from soup to nuts. You can learn more about all Tom does and see his performance calendar on his website at TomBillottoMusic.com

Just follow the Hashtag #TellThemHeidiSentYou

One of the things I love about my day-to-day is that each day is different.

Sometimes I am planting a kitchen garden; others I’m checking out seasonal menus at area restaurants. During the week I’m teaching a cooking class, or exploring a new flea market in search of cool service ware for upcoming catering job. Weekends, you will find me at area farmers’ markets or sometimes sitting in on a wine tasting . I love it all!

If you read my series of Eat and Drink Local posts, you’ll see I introduce readers to many local companies and brands. I love sharing the stories of national brands, too. And, I’m often hired to work  as a spokesperson,  on stage, on television and in print.  I am always delighted to tell the story!

Are you a producer of a local brand? I’d love to talk more about telling your story. Why don’t you shoot me an email at HeidiBillotto@gmail.com and then, let’s chat!

Follow the social media

You can follow my adventures on all three of my social media feeds. You’ll find me  at @HeidiCooks on Twitter;  at @HeidiBillotto on Facebook & Instagram;  on my business page @HeidiBillottoCooks on Facebook and on Linkin as Heidi Billotto. You’ll also find me and the things and places I love if you search the hashtags #TellThemHeidiSentYou and #IllHaveWhatHeidisHaving

I’d love to answer any questions you might have or talk about how we might work together.  You can get in touch with me at one of two emails: HLNC@carolina.rr.com or Heidi@HeidiCooks.com – I look forward to hearing from you!