Got To Be North Carolina Competition Dining Series

24 chefs compete for best in NC

 The Got to Be NC Competition Dining Series is coming again this year to Bonterra’s Dining and Wine Room located at 1829 Cleveland Ave. in Charlotte NC. The dates for the competition will run from Sunday March 22nd through Tuesday May 19th. Tickets are available now www.competitiondining.com.

Beautiful Bonterra

The objective of this competition is to discover the best chef in North Carolina.

John Fortes last year's statewide winner now presides over
Flipside Restaurant in Fort Mill, SC - next on our list for dining destinations

This is possibly the most important chef competition of the year and the most far reaching for the state of North Carolina. It is sponsored by the NC Department of Agriculture, Pate Dawson Southern Foods, and Certified Angus Beef among others in and for the state of North Carolina.

Jimmy Crippens presented the chefs entered in the series, a total of 24 from all over Charlotte and the North Carolina mountains.

At Joy Bistro: Alaskan king crab with imported cheese and spices served with toasted squares OMG

We had the distinct pleasure of dining in Boone, NC this week at the Joy Bistro owned by Melissa Joy Claude , one of the chefs entered in the series, and her husband Gary. Melissa’s Joy Bistro, located at 115 New Market Center (828 265 0500), was well worth our drive to Boone for dinner. We enjoy tastings and amazing food of every kind in and around Charlotte and beyond, but this was by far the best example of tantalizing, succulent, extraordinary preparation of continental cuisine that I have had anywhere in this area. We predict that Melissa will be the chef to beat in this competition. On Monday, March 30th she will stand against Mike Suppa, chef of Vivace. I will not want to miss that one.

Imported cheese wonton served on avocado mousse at Joy Bistro.
 This its what happens when you don't take the photo fast enough!

There are so many great happenings in Charlotte. It took a lot to plan and orchestrate this event. Charlotteans are truly being treated as royalty in the sense of preparation and service so take advantage of the opportunity and don’t miss it. Reservations are required and available through the Competition Dining website.

10 Ways to Explore Charlotte With Your Family During Spring Break

Received this from the folks at Visit Charlotte, and thought it had a lot of great ideas:

"In recent years, Charlotte has been named one of the top 10 Spring Break getaways for families. And Charlotte is living up to that accolade with a full list of activities for every member of the family during spring break. Here's a few ideas to help you start planning.

1. Become a local foodie.
Take a tour of one of Charlotte's many farmers markets including the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, Kings Drive Farmers Market, and Atherton Mill and Market. Then see and learn how our food goes from the farms to the table at the 7th Street Public Market in Uptown, where the whole family can dine in the heart of Charlotte's food and culture hub. 

2. Start your engines.
NASCAR lovers won't want to miss a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown. The whole family will enjoy a ride in the realistic racing simulators, a run at the fastest time in the Pit Crew Challenge and a look at 18 historic cars that make up Glory Road. And don't miss the first-ever Easter Egg 400 on March 28 for a full morning of activities including crafts, an Easter egg hunt, a showing of the movie "Hop" and more. Rookie Racers Kids Club members will also have an exclusive pancake breakfast with the Easter bunny. 

3. Discover science.
Watch as science comes to life at Discovery Place, a hands-on science museum for all ages. Stretch your imagination and creativity with exhibits like Project Build, which has you building up skyscrapers and KidScience, inspiring the next generation of Einsteins. Kids can also sign up for a Spring Break camp for a full day of interactive fun. 

4. Get moving.
Get moving and explore Charlotte on some of the city's best greenways, hiking trails and parks. Take in the city views on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and end with a family picnic at Freedom Park. Or enjoy the green spaces in the heart of Uptown at The Green and Romare Bearden Park. Kids will also love learning about nature at the Charlotte Nature Museum, McDowell Nature Center and the Carolina Raptor Center. 

5. Let your imagination soar
Let your imagination soar at ImaginOn, where the excitement about storytelling is contagious. Equal parts library and theatre, ImaginOn invites families to participate in family story time, classes and workshops while being inspired by performances of "Jackie and Me," "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Interrupting Vanessa" at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. 

6. Become a chef.
For the chefs-in-training, sign up for a hands-on class with Flour Power, a cooking studio tailored to kids of all ages. They'll be so excited to share what they learned, and you may gain another helper in your own kitchen in the process. 

7. Get your adrenaline pumping.
Get your adrenaline pumping with a visit to the "Thrill Capital of the Southeast.” This spring, Carowinds will unveil the new Fury 325, the world's tallest and fastest giga coaster. Kids and adults can enjoy over 50 rides, shows and attractions as well as Planet Snoopy, a section of the park just for kids. 

8. Take a ride to remember.
Take your explorers on a ride to remember at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Home to the world's largest man-made recirculating river, you can go whitewater rafting, zip lining and kayaking with the whole family while enjoying dining and entertainment options. 

9. Cheer on the home team.
Cheer on the home team at BB&T Ballpark. The Charlotte Knights kick off their second season of family fun and themed baseball games against the Norfolk Tides on April 9. 

10. Dive into Charlotte's culture
Dive into Charlotte’s culture with a visit to the city’s premier museums. Become a Picasso, Jr. at the Mint Museum's family-friendly Sunday Fun Day, or snap a picture with the Firebird sculpture outside of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Learn about Charlotte's rich history at the Levine Museum of the New South or stroll along Center City's Liberty Walk, where 15 historical markers tell the story of the city's role in the Revolutionary War."

Click here to view the full article about Spring Break Ideas.