Category Archives: food

UPDATE: A petition supporting area food trucks appears

Food Truck. Courtesy of Operation New Birmingham

See updates below | It’s been a long time since anyone’s talked about the issue of food trucks here in Birmingham, AL – relatively speaking. It’s been nearly two years since an episode that eventually led to ONB announcing and then changing its stance on them.

It’s not hard to find folks supportive of their existence based on the crowds that gathered for two different events built around them in the metro area held on the same day back on May 12. If nothing else, folks are more aware of just how many options they have.

Some residents are wanting to make sure that members of Birmingham’s City Council are aware of how many people enjoy the options currently available to folks who work, live, and visit our fair city. They’ve already garnered about 75 virtual signatures as of 10 a.m. this morning on a Change.org petition asking our municipal legislative body to establish policies that support them when possible (and they’ll probably reach their goal of 100 well before lunchtime).

Early Wednesday evening, July 11, the owner of Spoonfed Grill shared an update from a Birmingham City Council meeting where new regulations were being discussed.

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/SpoonFedGrill/status/223184528913596416″]

It’s been interesting to look at the conversation taking place on the petition’s page, particularly when you look at what some who aren’t signing the petition are saying about whether or not other issues facing the area need the same level of opinion.

UPDATE 3 p.m.: According to a post this afternoon on Magic City Post, the total number of signatures being sought has been raised to 500 – and its nearly reached that goal as well.

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: The Birmingham News is now reporting that the new goal for Naomi Anderegg’s effort  is 1,000; it’s currently at 617.

UPDATE 7/15, 8:50 a.m.: A quick check of the petition currently shows the new goal as being 1,500 signatures with more than 1,160 already collected.

Oskar Blues comes “home” to Alabama next month

Last night, one simple tweet stopped the local craft beer scene in its track, but  in a good way:

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/OskarBluesBama/status/214742671938424832″]

That’s right; Oskar Blues and their cans of craft beer will be making its Alabama debut later this summer – perhaps as early as July based on this other tweet sent out by the account dedicated to the state earlier today:

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/OskarBluesBama/status/215486689215385601″]

This development is big news for fans of the Lyons, CO-based craft beer maker, especially those aware of the fact that the company’s owned by Florence, AL natives Dale and Chris Katechis will turn to Birmingham Beverage to begin distributing their cans in Birmingham and elsewhere in the northern 2/3 of the state. They’re scheduled to be in holding release events between July 2-4 according to their press release.

We got a chance to catch up with Ben Lewellyn of Good People Brewing Company to hear what someone from the only brewer in the state currently making craft beers delivered in cans had to say.

Keeping up with plans as they unfold should be easy if you’re a fan of social networks. They’ve got a brand page on Facebook in addition to the Twitter account.

Bettola’s Lewis involved in new Aspen concept restaurant

chefs-club interior. courtesy of their websiteLast week the St. Regis Aspen opened a new concept restaurant. Why should this culinary event in Colorado mean something to Birmingham residents? It matters because James Lewis, the chef at Bettola in Pepper Place, will be among the first of the chefs to be involved in the project.

The 2011 winner of Food & Wine magazine’s New Chef award is one of four past recipients chosen to collaborate on the initial menu offerings for the new Chefs Club by Food & Wine. Lewis will join George Mendes of ALDEA in New York City; Alex Seidel of Fruition in Denver, CO; and Susan Zemanick of Gautreau’s Restaurant in New Orleans, LA. Plans call for the chefs to make appearances at the restaurant during their involvement and work with Food & Wine editors to determine and/or create the restaurant’s wine and cocktail offerings. Plans also call for the venue’s artwork to be changed out twice a year to showcase local artists.

Photo: Interior of the restaurant. Courtesy of its website.

What’s next for Free the Hops?

This weekend brings a ton of activity with it throughout greater downtown Birmingham. One of the larger events is the sixth annual Magic City Brewfest. The 2012 state legislative session was a successful one for fans of craft beer. A great deal of that is due to the effort of Free the Hops, a grassroots organization based here in town. Now that many of the things they were working for have been accomplished, “what’s next?” is becoming a increasingly asked question. We tracked down past president Stuart Carter to get an answer.

New name. Still teaching. Still growing.

JVTF "entrance" from 7th Ave. N.Jones Valley Urban Farm was re-introduced late last week to members of its email list and visitors to its website as Jones Valley Teaching Farm.

The new name also introduces a new logo to the community – the second such change in recent years for the nationally-acclaimed Northside institution. The note from the organization points out something that few would argue:

…while many people know us for our delicious produce, many don’t know that it’s not the primary function of our organization. Since its inception, our mission has been to empower future generations with an education to eat smarter, think healthier—and live better.

They pointed out that the name change didn’t mean they’d be changing what they were already doing, though they did mention a return of the on-site farm stand and the coming fundraising campaign to help fund new efforts focused on education.

Fifth time a charm for Hastings in New York

Chris Hastings. Kent Miller/James Beard FoundationThe news reverberated last night among foodies throughout the state of Alabama. Chris Hastings has already been enjoying a pretty special year – including a win on Iron Chef America and appearing in cities like Charlotte, NC and Charleston, SC.

Now, after four previous nominations for the James Beard Foundation Award’s Best Chef, South category over the last five years, came this:

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/#!/beardfoundation/status/199647066471936000″]

Considering it’s the second ever Year of Alabama Food, it’s only fitting that the campaign’s official website had a post up on their Alabama Farm to Table blog congratulating the owner of Hot & Hot Fish Club shortly after it was announced on Monday night.

Of course if you’re out and about travelling, you may interested in knowing who else took home awards during last night’s ceremony (PDF).

Photo: Chris Hastings. Kent Miller/jbfa.

Saw’s opens second location in Avondale

Inside Saws AvondaleSaw’s BBQ, the popular restaurant in Homewood’s Edgewood neighborhood, opened its second location on 41st Street South in the heart of the Avondale commercial revitalization effort on Wednesday, March 21.

It’s just down the block from Avondale Brewing Company‘s (ABC)  home – they’re excited about their arrival (and the fact they’ll run food down to hungry customers in their taproom). We’re assuming the folks over at Spring Street Fire House are too.) The menu board is currently made up of mostly BBQ sandwiches, burgers and bakers. The space, at 215 41st St. S., was the home to Split & Quick BBQ until recently.

Someone else that may be excited about the new restaurant on 41st Street? Whoever the folks at ABC chose as the winner of the space directly across the street from them – complete with free rent for six months. The announcement’s scheduled for next week Thursday, March 29, at the brewery’s taproom.