Got skill on the grill? Enter the Ada Jenkins Center’s 2012 “Fire” barbecue cook off and fundraiser on Sept. 29 in Davidson. Meanwhile, dog lovers take note: The Lucky Dog, a new dog-bar on Statesville Road in Cornelius opened its doors Tuesday night. And Wooden Stone gallery in Davidson is hosting a series of cooking classes with chef Vera Samuels. Details below. Read the full story

Tommy Barbee of Barbee Farms talks about his fall tomato crop during the 2010 Know Your Farms farm tour. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Davidson-based Know Your Farms LLC and other local-food promoters will host the fourth annual Charlotte Area Farm Tour the weekend of Sept. 15-16, at 40 area farms, including 13 new stops. The tour runs 1-6 p.m. both days, giving visitors a chance to meet farmers, tour farms, and a learn about where our food comes from. Read the full story

Claire Naisby and Emma Park of Eco House won with their colorful traditional salsa. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

What’s your taste in salsa? Last Saturday, July 28, local chefs offered different takes on the popular dish at the Davidson Farmer’s Market’s third annual Salsa Showdown. When the judges (market shoppers) were done, a pair of cooks from Davidson College’s Eco House were hands-down winners.

Emma Park and Claire Naisby grabbed the most votes with their “Pura Vida Salsa,” a traditional recipe of tomatoes, peppers, Vidalia onions, and lime. “We tried to make a traditional salsa with a colorful rainbow,” Ms. Park explained.

The recipe included cumin, salt, and “a lot of fresh cilantro,” she said. For their victory, the pair won $25 gift certificates from the market. “Half of next week’s shopping trip,” Ms. Naisby joked. Read the full story

This crowd signaled as they turned into the Huntersville Chik-fil-A, on US 21. (Lyndsay Kibiloski/CorneliusNews.net)

Food and politics mixed – at least for a little while on Wednesday. There were lines out the door at the Chick-fil-A on U.S. 21 in Huntersville as local diners heeded a call by top Republicans to show support for the embattled fast-food chain. Traffic on U.S. 21 was heavier than usual as cars turned into the lot, where an employee in a fluorescent yellow vest directed traffic. Read the full story

Posing with squash and okra from the Craig family garden are, Zach Craig (front), and back row from left, Katie Craig, Addison Martin and Grace Craig. The Craigs live off June Washam Road in east Davidson. Addison lives on Avinger Lane. All are Davidson Elementary school students.

Backyard gardeners are starting to see the fruits of their labors as garden season peaks this month. These east Davidson kids, most of whom live off June Washam Road, showed off their squash and okra.

WHAT’S IN YOUR GARDEN?

What are you eating from your garden this summer? Send us a photo of your garden (with or without you!) and we’ll consider it for publication. Send submissions or inquire by email at editor@davidsonnews.net.

Davidson Farmer’s Market’s third annual Salsa Showdown was delayed a week, and now is scheduled this Saturday, July 28, at the market site in downtown Davidson. Meanwhile, restaurants across the Lake Norman area are participating in the Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week this week. Galway Hooker in Cornelius will host a charity auction for Grin Kids on Aug. 4. And Davidson resident Bill Gaby has opened a Subway restaurant in Kannapolis. Read on for details. Read the full story