Joanne Weir

TV chef Joanne Weir will be at Davidson College on Wednesday, Feb. 8, for a talk and Mediterranean lunch. Ms. Weir is host of the public television series “Joanne Weir’s Cooking Class” and a new series titled “Joanne Weir’s Cooking Confidence.”

She’ll be here to meet fans, talk about cuisine, and offer a Mediterranean luncheon she has inspired. The event will continue from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in Davidson College’s Vail Commons dining hall.

The cost of the luncheon is $9.75. For information call 704-894-2600 or email crmombert@davidson.edu.

More than 100 eateries, including a long list of Lake Norman area favorites, will join the Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week beginning next Friday, Jan. 20. Alton’s Kitchen in Cornelius is getting a jump on the festivities, offering its special menu in a “preview” a week ahead of the festival. Also, the Davidson Housing Coalition has announced the lineup of restaurants that will vie for the best local soups in its 2012 Souper Bowl fundraiser Feb. 4. Read the full story

Summit's team includes senior barista and director of coffee David Beam, owner Tim Helfrich, and marketing and branding director Brian Helfrich. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Summit's new logo

Summit Coffee Co. is in its 14th year supplying coffee and more on Main Street in downtown Davidson. All is well at the popular community gathering place, but owner Tim Helfrich and marketing manager Brian Helfrich recently decided it was time for a little sprucing up. So over the New Year’s weekend, they and their coworkers slapped on some fresh paint and rearranged the furniture. And that’s not all.

The shop has a new logo and website, new beer and wine selections, and this week will introduce a new feature: a Friday night “pub” in the rearranged upstairs. Tim’s calling it the Freckled Dog Pub, in honor of his family’s 6-year-old Australian Shepherd/Lab mix Otis, and in homage to the pubs of England he has visited often in recent years. Read the full story

Plus, New Year’s food and drink events at area eateries

Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse in Davidson is changing chefs with the new year. Also, area restaurants are planning events for New Year’s Eve, ranging from an “all you can drink” night at Galway Hooker Irish Pub to Jeffrey’s Restaurant’s annual New Year’s party with drinks and dancing. We have some ideas as you plan the big night. Read the full story

Organizers and supporters of the new 7th Street Public Market in downtown Charlotte will cut a ribbon Tuesday morning to officially open the new local food outlet.  The ceremony will be at 11 a.m. on the ground floor of Seventh Street Station, 224 E. Seventh St., the former Reid’s grocery.

“We are thrilled about all the people coming together to open this Market,”   Christy Shi, executive director of 7th Street Public Market, said in a press release. “It has such a strong mission that will do so much good for the Charlotte community and its rural neighbors. We are so excited about the prospect of moving out of the construction phase and into celebrating and supporting local producers and food artisans.” Read the full story

Third-grader Hannah Mills won the market's recent poster contest. Here it is!

Davidson Farmer’s Market is in winter mode, which means sales are every other week. The next one is this Saturday, Nov. 19, and comes just a few days before the Thanksgiving holiday. Local farmers will have a variety of meats and produce for your holiday week feasts. Read the full story