Taste of the South September 2018

I used to scour The Market at Pepper Place in Birmingham, Alabama, for Arkansas Black apples as the summer heat began to break. This crisp, flavorful apple has a short season, but with its notes of vanilla and almond, the Arkansas Black quickly became one of my all-time favorites. In many ways, late summer and the beginning of autumn is the best time to cook and entertain. Peaches and blueberries are gone (unless we were able to freeze or can some), but our garden is still full of late-season tomatoes, greens, and other cooler-weather treats. This year, much of our farmers’ market apple haul will be making its way into the incredible array of sweets in the Apple Delights feature (page 61). Throughout the fall, we’ll definitely be making the super…

FALL’S FRESH FINDS Kathy Cary knows her produce. While summer is fading away, she says there’s still plenty of farm-fresh goods to look forward to this time of year. “Depending on the weather, it can be better than June and July,”she said. Her picks? Baby potatoes, fresh Brussels sprouts, and late season tomatoes, “without a doubt.” Icon Kathy Cary has been bringing her passion for local farms and fresh food to Louisville, Kentucky, for four decades. The seven-time James Beard Award nominee is the owner and executive chef of Lilly’s Bistro, which celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this year, and La Peche, her catering company that turns 39 this fall. When did you realize you had a passion for food? Growing up on a farm, I was very inspired by my surroundings of…

1 CATOCTIN CREEK QUARTER BRANCH APPLE BRANDY This Virginia apple brandy tastes just like biting into a crisp, juicy apple, but with an extra kick. It will add fresh fruitiness to cocktails or baked goods, such as the Appalachian Stack Cake on page 71. $29.99 for 1 (375-mL) bottle; catoctincreekdistilling.com 2 BIG SPOON ROASTERS NUT BUTTERS Made to order in small batches, Big Spoon Roasters’ from-scratch nut butters are handcrafted in Durham, North Carolina. We can’t resist their unique flavors like chocolaty Peanut Cocoa Butter and aromatic Maple Cinnamon Nut Butter. $9.95-$13.95 for 1 (10-ounce) jar; bigspoonroasters.com 3 MOLLIE JENKINS POTTERY ALL-PURPOSE MIXING BOWLS Masterfully handmade in Columbus, Georgia, these gorgeously glazed off-white, speckled mixing bowls have a sturdy handle and a convenient pour spout that make baking a breeze. We also love that they’re…

BOURBON & BEYOND September 22–23 | Louisville, Kentucky From delicious bites to bourbon sips, and don’t forget the impressive musical line up, Bourbon & Beyond is the world’s largest bourbon festival. This weekend event offers guests the opportunity to attend bourbon workshops taught by master distillers and see exciting culinary demos, in addition to tasting an array of top-notch bourbons. bourbonandbeyond.com SEA WOLF Nashville, Tennessee Nationally acclaimed chef Ford Fry is bringing his good eats to Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood. While Sea Wolf will be a seafood-centric restaurant, he’s also opening two more in the area, including Le Loup, a French-inspired cocktail lounge, and Star Rover, a more casual taqueria-style snack bar hosting live music. THALIA New Orleans, Louisiana Housed in the historic Shamrock Tavern located in the Lower Garden District, this Crescent City opening is the newest venture…

Little Rock, Arkansas, the gateway between the South and the Heartland, is at once sophisticated and sensible, greeting visitors with a warm-hearted welcome and a disarming laid-back charm. Nestled on the banks of the Arkansas River, this capital city is historically rich, culturally diverse, and gastronomically enlightened. Embark on a surprisingly varied culinary adventure across this genteel Southern city. START THE DAY OFF IN SOMA, A CHARMING FIVE-BLOCK NEIGHBORHOOD south of Main that’s home to a distinct array of restaurants and boutiques. Standing proudly on the corner of Main and 12th is Community Bakery, a Little Rock staple since 1947. Although the ownership has changed since it opened, many of the recipes haven’t, including the melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese danishes. The bakery offers more than 100 types of made-from-scratch sweets and treats,…

NATHANIEL IZARD Owner, Izard Chocolate HIS PICK: BOULEVARD BREAD CO. “Boulevard is one of my long-time favorites with its almost European feel. Their breads and pastries are outstanding. I recommend their breakfast sandwich and a cup of coffee, or for lunch their Smoked Turkey Sandwich.” SCOTT MCGEHEE Owner/Partner, Yellow Rocket Concepts (Local Lime, Lost Forty Brewing, Heights Taco and Tamale Co., ZAZA, Big Orange) HIS PICK: MADDIE’S PLACE “Brian Deloney is an exceptional chef and extremely high-integrity human. Brian consistently puts out some of the best Cajun and Creole food in Arkansas.”…