Doreen McCormick (left) and Christy Williams won the best salsa at Saturday's Davidson Farmer's Market. More photos below, along with their winning recipe. (Patti McKinnon photo)

Doreen McCormick and Christy Williams spent early Saturday morning at the Davidson Farmers Market going from farmer to farmer hunting for fresh ingredients. The two Lincoln County neighbors found roma and yellow tomatoes, green and orange peppers, and jalapenos. Then, the two women returned to their work table and quickly whipped up a “Two Pregnant Chicks Salsa,” their entry in the market’s first Salsa Showdown. When the judging was over, shoppers picked it as the market’s top salsa of 2010.

Winning recipe and a photo gallery below.

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Flatiron Kitchen partners (from left) Michael LaVecchia, Tim Groody and Chad Hollingsworth posed for a picture during a fund-raising event Saturday, July 24, at their new restaurant. (Bill Giduz/DavidsonNews.net)

Comings and goings on the local restaurant scene: This week we have news of a restaurant opening and a closing. Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse in downtown Davidson is now in a “soft opening.” Expect a full opening next week. Meanwhile, Soiree, a popular chef-owned restaurant in downtown Mooresville, is closing its doors.

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By LYNDSAY KIBILOSKI
DavidsonNews.net

Many of us enjoy good Asian food. Mix that with good drinks and good service and you have a good time ahead of you. Or so you would think. Turns out a visit to the restroom might send all those good feelings out the window – with the announcement of four little words.

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Also, an update on Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse

When will it open? See below

Davidson Farmers Market has named four finalists for its first-ever Salsa Showdown on Saturday, July 24, at the weekly market next to Town Hall. Meanwhile, we’ve also got news today about Campania Cafe’s 2nd anniversary – which they’re celebrating with a fund-raiser for local charities. And we have the latest news on when Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse might open in Stowe’s Corner downtown.

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The Elliott family’s success as chocolatiers here in Davidson is spawning an expansion. Their 2-year-old Davidson Chocolate Co. announced Wednesday that it will open a second location, in the Dilworth neighborhood of Charlotte.

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Families visited China Grove's Wild Turkey Farms during a farm tour last fall. (Alex Gregor/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Supporters of the emerging local food movement are eager to support farmers and local food by shopping at farmer’s markets and shops that sell local foods. But some advocates say that won’t be enough. What’s needed are new public policies to encourage and improve the networks that bring local food to market.

“Our food system was local before we went global. All the infrastructure was in place,” said Christy Shi, co-owner of Know Your Farms LLC of Davidson. “But what we’ve seen over past 20 years is this astonishing consolidation.”

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