THE PODCAST
The podcast above was originally recorded on 03/03/2025 with my usual co-host Chef Tom LaFauci from Twisted Laurel Downtown Asheville…
00:00 - 02:07 INTRO: Chef Is Presentable
02:08 - 03:44 RESTAURANT WEEK: Part Deux Was A Bit Of A Dud
03:45 - 06:20 SOCON WAS GOOD: Stu’s Watching Sports w/ Brooms
06:21 - 14:33 HARD TURN, NO SEGUE: Top 5 Things That A Chef Needs To Know
14:34 - 15:14 MANNA SPOT: Please Donate to MANNA Foodbank
15:15 - 18:55 THE PRICE OF EGGS: Slightly Less Nefarious Undertones
18:56 - 23:48 DUNNING KRUGER REPORT: California Compliant Eggs
23:49 - 27:39 HUNTING TURKEYS: Black Cammo and Crossbows
27:40 - 39:36 FUNNY GAMES: Made Up People and Made Up Words
39:37 - 41:31 GOONIES NEVER DIE: And A Lotta Shrimp Talk
42:32 - 47:52 PIZZA WEEK: Everybody Loves Pizza!
47:53 - 51:33 TOM, I ATE A CRUFFIN: Magic, Science and Madness
51:34 - 52:41 RAY-RAY’S AVL: $40 A Day Is $60 Today
52:42 - 55:09 BYE! Thanks To Deb & All The Listeners and WPVM 103.7fm!
THE NEWSLETTER
WNC PIZZA WEEK 2025 IS OVER! Thanks to all the pizza makers and pizza eaters who helped to make the inaugural WNC Pizza Week a big success! I'm hearing from the pizza makers that they had fun, that it was easy to participate, they saw a bump to their bottom line as a result, and they would absolutely do it again! I also heard from the eaters that they tried some excellent specialty pies that were made just for pizza week, and ate pizza multiple times at multiple venues throughout the week! YAY!!!
My own family indulged in pizza more than once, including a fun game night pizza party where we ordered the Pizza Week specials from Manicomio Pizza on Biltmore Ave Downtown, and Mission Pizza Romana located at the top of the South Slope. Everyone (8 people) loved all four pies, but we all had our individual favorites too. We ate until we were stuffed and had a little leftover for the next day!
Thanks Explore Asheville, who supported WNC Pizza Week with a free pizza event just for Food & Beverage Industry people! Thanks as well, to all the local media folks who reported on WNC Pizza Week. It made a big difference! ❤
On the last day of pizza week, there was a little make your own pie thing at Manicomio Pizza and after everybody else was done making their pies, I made myself one! Pretty good! I might have a new career in front of me. Thank you, MODA-Merchants of Downtown Asheville and for making this fun little event happen as part of their Makers March events!
According to the feedback that I’ve received from the pizza makers who participated in WNC Pizza Week 2025 they had fun, they found it easy to participate, they saw a bump in their bottom line, and they would like to see and host more events like parties and contests! It's still a year away, but I'm already excited for WNC Pizza Week 2026, Feb 9th - 16th! Mark your calendars.
STUFFIN’ A CRUFFIN IN ME: Here's a thing about living in Asheville: We're always on the cutting edge of dietary restrictions. 😂 #truth The result of that phenomenon is that, among other things, we have some of theee best vegan food in the known universe. The other day I stopped into Pollen cafe on South French Broad Ave where I got an excellent cappuccino and the creamiest dreamiest flakiest bakiest shuh-shuh-sugariest cruffin ever dreamed up by science, magic or madness.
There were many layers of laminated dough filled with rich decadent coconut pastry cream, and sprinkled with pure uncut unadulterated sugar, and because it's from Back Porch Baking Co., it's 100% vegan.
I'm not vegan, not by a long shot, but this thing is truly amazing, and I eat, like, one a month... at least... maybe more... but again, since it's vegan, it's all good! It's healthy! Like a salad.
SOUTHERN BREAKFAST: Paddy, Sarah and I went on another Asheville Food Tours lunch junket, to one of our long-time partners and personal favorites, The Blackbird located on Biltmore Ave, right downtown. Sarah got the Southern breakfast with grits, scrambs, and house made sausage. Paddy got the Stoobie Award winning corned beef hash, which I know from experience is incredibly delicious and satisfying. And I got the biscuits ‘n’ gravy with fried chicken. It was very savory, thick but creamy gravy, over a perfectly battered and deep fried chicken thigh, on top of a warm buttery scratch made biscuit. It was great and we all devoured our food!
I've been back to Blackbird twice with food tours since this meal, and my tour patrons have been just as impressed as we are! Thanks to Chefs Mike and Francis, and the whole BB crew! 🙏
ASHEVILLE FOOD TOURS: The best way to enjoy eating Asheville is through Asheville Food Tours, the original walking food tour of Downtown! Locally owned & operated since 2009, Asheville Food Tours just got a new logo, booking software, and a total website redo! Please check it out, and book your next tour with me, Paddy, or Sarah soon!
“On our tours you will experience the best of what our famous food makers have to offer, learn what makes each stop and the whole town so special, delve into the history of Asheville, and become familiar with downtown, while in the capable hands of true locals who know our city well! Touring Asheville never tasted so good!”
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