Even if you’re one of the many Queen City residents raised north (or west) of the Mason-Dixon line, you’ve surely discovered the joys of Southern food. From the Krispy Kreme bread pudding at Savannah Red to the famous fried chicken at Price’s Chicken Coop, we can taste our way through the heritage of our “New South†city (and plan extra workouts to counteract the effects on our waistline). I grew up spending summers in North Carolina, so the scent of fresh biscuits stands out in my childhood memories. We can always delight family and friends with the classics (does macaroni and cheese count as a vegetable?), but chefs are pushing the boundaries of our region’s cuisine in restaurants and kitchens across the South.
If you hope to master family recipes or put your own spin on Southern favorites, there’s still time to book your reservation for the “Savor the South Weekend†at the O. Henry Hotel in Greensboro. Celebrating the SAVOR THE SOUTH® cookbook series published by the UNC Press (titles include Biscuits, Okra and Peaches), the weekend lineup from September 26-28 includes demos, tastings and farm-to-table feasts prepared by top Southern chefs. Guests will enjoy four-course dinners on Friday and Saturday nights, featuring wine pairings and recipes from the cookbooks of honor. The Bourbon volume and a live band take center stage on Saturday night, at the event billed as Bourbon, Bluegrass & Bacchanal!.
You can tap the expertise of a bevy of Southern foodies at this weekend event, or just indulge in their creations. All 9 SAVOR THE SOUTH® cookbook authors will be in Greensboro for the weekend, including the Charlotte Observer’s Kathleen Purvis – author of the “Pecans†and “Bourbon†books. I love how this series spotlights fresh ingredients like tomatoes and sweet potatoes, as Southern cuisine today extends far beyond the deep fryer (though who doesn’t love some hush puppies). Even if you whip up intricate delicacies a la Paula Deen, we can also find plenty of cooking inspiration at the farmer’s market.
Along with the lure of a Southern food extravaganza – the O. Henry Hotel is among the luxury independent hotels selected for the Southern Living Collection. I’ve stayed at the hotel and waited tables at the in-house restaurant Green Valley Grille, so can vouch for their hospitality and passion for local ingredients. As reflected in its name (after the Greensboro native and famed short story writer O. Henry) and shuttle service via classic cars, the hotel embraces the past while impressing travelers with modern amenities.
Whether you aspire to be the next celebrity chef or just impress your family at meal time, you can immerse yourself in the finest flavors of South at the “Savor the South Weekendâ€. Click here for more details about the event and to book a reservation.
