The 10th edition of the semi-annual Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week returns Friday, Jan. 18, to Sunday, Jan. 27, at a record 112 restaurants in six counties in the greater Charlotte area and Lake Norman. Specials and details, along with hotel discounts, are now live on the Queen’s Feast website, www.CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com.

Participating restaurants offer special prix fixe dinners of three or more courses, for $30 per person  (plus tax and tip). Popular eateries are joining in again across Charlotte to Matthews, Concord, Belmont, Gastonia, Waxhaw, the Lake Norman area of northern Mecklenburg and Iredell counties, and Fort Mill, S.C. Read the full story

Charlie (left) and Samantha Marshall are reopening the former Roxy’s in the Oakhurst neighborhood as a coffee and food shop called The Coffee House.

Mexican taqueria Carrburritos has begun recruiting for managers, cooks, bartenders and other help as it targets a January opening on South Main Street in Davidson. Chef Nikki Sawyer Moore will offer holiday cooking classes at The Kitch in Cornelius. Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse will join in Christmas in Davidson this week with several nights of fun, including a party in the parking lot Friday night with Charlotte band Aqualads. And it looks like the former Roxy’s Coffee and Wine on Bailey Road is getting a new lease on life, re-opening this Friday as The Coffee House. Read the full story

Visitors to Red Mango on Monday found this sign on the door. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

After a year in business, the Red Mango frozen yogurt shop in Davidson Commons has shut its doors, citing high costs and disappointing sales. The local owners say they also won’t reopen a second shop off N.C. 73 in Huntersville that had closed for the winter.

The Davidson shop served its last customer on Saturday, then posted a sign saying “Sorry, Out of Business.” Read the full story

Award-winning “farm-to-fork” chef Deborah Madison is spending two days at Davidson College this week, with meals open to the public. See below.

Davidson Beverage Co. will host another beer & chocolate tasting this Friday. Meanwhile, a group of Cornelius eateries is joining hands in the first “United We Dine” fundraiser for the United Way, on Friday, Nov. 16. Community School of Davidson High School on Armour Street is organizing a Food Truck Rally, on Friday, Nov. 16 as well, to celebrate the groundbreaking for a big renovation. Restaurants in Charlotte and the Lake Norman area will celebrate National Hospice Month in November with “Dining Out for Hospice.”And in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, local restaurants with ties in the Northeast are holding fundraisers to help with storm relief funds. Read the full story

Chris Coleman of the Market Kitchen worked on his chicken and sweet potato hash. More photos below. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

It was the Davidson Farmer’s Market’s version of Iron Chef: Competitors at Saturday’s 2nd annual Winter Market Chef Challenge were handed a box of ingredients from market farmers and given an hour to create something that would tickle market-goers’ palates.

Zack Renner (left) and Joe Kindred of Roosters were the crowd favorites. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

When the judging was over, Joe Kindred from Roosters Wood Fired Kitchen in Charlotte came out on top. He delivered a tasty Potato Gnocchi with Chef Charles’ chicken apple sausage, kale and goat cheese; and an Autumn Harvest Salad of beets, kohlrabi, and sweet potatoes. Read the full story

Guests at last year’s Davidson Farmer’s Market Winter Market Chef Challenge sample the chef’s creations. This year’s competition is Saturday. (Davidson Farmer’s Market photo)

This Saturday, Nov. 3, marks the first day of Davidson Farmer’s Market’swinter season, and the market celebrates with its 2nd Annual Winter Market Chef Challenge. Five local chefs will prepare dishes using four mystery ingredients from the market to be unveiled when they arrive.

Competitors are Anthony Ascanio of Flatiron Kitchen & Taphouse; Chris Coleman, The Market Kitchen; Alyssa Gorelick; Nicolas Daniels, The Wooden Vine Wine Bar & Bistro; and Joe Kindred, Roosters Kitchen. Read the full story