I am not one of those people who sets out pumpkins, tombstones and cobwebs the moment the Fourth of July fireworks show is over. But I’m married to one. Each year, I ask if we can please wait till after my mid-July birthday before diving into the Halloween decorations. I blame seasonal creep. The rush to move on to the next holiday has made it possible to slip a bag of candy corn into your shopping basket next to your watermelon and blueberries. It’s why backpacks and crayons appear in stores two weeks after the ink on student report cards has barely dried.
Let’s not cut short the time of farmers market tomato sandwiches and a peaches and cream ice-cream float at Maple View Farm. (Pumpkin spice people, I promise it will be your turn soon enough!) At the very least, let’s make it a seamless transition into autumn. Danny Vacca and Chuck Jones have the right approach. The executive chef duo at Market and Moss are adding their popular crispy duck entree to the fall menu. Read about the dish on page 28.
I admit our cover shoot for this 15th annual food and drink issue featuring the small-batch creations of Aliesha Vinar did put me in the autumn mindset. Photographed in her Hillsborough kitchen, the former mill space with its large windows was made even more cozy by candles ablaze and a misty rain. The cover rings true to early September decadence, a time when pears are plentiful, apples are nearly at their peak, and we procure the last bit of figs.
Here’s to the last three weeks of late summer, and then I say, bring on fall! – Jessica Stringer, editor
THE FOOD & DRINK ISSUE
70 Rising & Shining
While You’re Up Bakery & Bread Co. delivers delectable creations crafted with heartfelt dedication
73 Baking in Abundance
Genevieve Pastry is sweetening lives, one treat at a time
76 The Spice of Life
Momma T’s delivers handmade southern Indian spice blends rooted in tradition and love
80 From Nigeria With Love
How an immigrant mom connects her American-born children to their African heritage
83 Dough Good
The ‘Bread Ladies’ knead joy at SECU Family House
84 Happy Meal
Some favorite spots to find kid-approved menu items
FALL ARTS
52 Planning for Serendipity
Carolina Performing Arts celebrates its 20th anniversary this season and envisions its future
58 Puppets with a Purpose
Sol Ramirez ignites youth activism through puppetry
60 Business on Track
Sleepy Cat Records celebrates five years of releasing and generating music tailored to the Triangle
64 Stitched in Tradition
Parker Zinn’s designs weave family heritage and Southern charm into contemporary fashion
68 Fall Arts Guide
Can’t-miss concerts, events and more
FEATURES
38 Going Coastal
Explore the Southern shores of the Outer Banks
86 Nurturing through Nature
Jubilee Healing Farm reimagines mental health care
92 Charting Their Own Course
Carolina Mavericks Youth Lacrosse Club is out to grow the sport of lacrosse
96 A Vision to Behold
An international public health advocate embraces her inner artist
DEPARTMENTS
10 About Town
Events not to miss
18 Noted
What we’ve heard around our towns …
28 What We’re Eating
News from our restaurant community, plus a dish we love
44 Once A Tar Heel …
Lewis Black, arguably the funniest Tar Heel ever, on why stand-up comedians are like mullets, why he loves Carolina basketball and why the end of cursive writing signals the decline of civilization
PEOPLE & PLACES
12 Business Excellence Awards
14 Rise Summit for Women
16 Fourth of July
