Into The Woods

Starring: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, everyone else in Hollywood
Director: Rob Marshall
Running Time: 2 hours, 5 minutes
Rating: PG

I wish! More than anything, more than life! That all stage musicals would be made into movies! Especially with the care that Rob Marshall brings to his film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's beloved musical "Into the Woods." People are very protective of this show (and musical theatre in general), and being a fan, I thought this was a solid portrayal. Several kids were sitting in the audience and were amused and entertained by the numerous fairy tales intertwined into one story. You've got Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Rapunzel - this is a town I'd like to live in. Everyone is beautiful and has killer pipes.

The great one: Meryl Streep.
Photo Courtesy Vanity Fair

Though some of the casting may have caused uproars when it was announced earlier this year, everyone truly brought heart to their role. Emily Blunt is freaking gorgeous and can sing like a canary. The one and only Meryl could play a chair and it would be the perfect choice, though it's impossible not to compare her to the other great one, Bernadette Peters, who originated the role of the Witch on Broadway. Meryl's performance of "Last Midnight" didn't give me quite the chills the climactic song typically does when I hear Bernie sing it, but that's me being VERY picky. Meryl evokes a lot of sympathy as the Witch, bringing another dimension and emotional level to the character that we traditionally choose to root against.

The other great one: Bernadette Peters.
Photo Courtesy Fanpop

Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen's duet "Agony" is the most hilarious scene, worth seeing the movie for. Every line Pine's prince delivers is of utmost narcissism. He is fantastic in this role and is getting to be so good-looking it's disgusting. Anna Kendrick was a casting choice I questioned but now appreciate. She isn't the traditional Cinderella I imagine, but she is likable and relatable and kills all of her songs. Don't blink, or you may miss Johnny Depp, a strong choice as the Wolf. Though his "Hello Little Girl" gets a little child molestery on poor Little Red. I suppose this song has always been a bit chi-mo but I didn't notice it until now.

Besides the set looking a little fake, I have very few complaints about this film. If you're a fan of this musical, you will no doubt enjoy singing and bopping your head along, but if you aren't familiar, you will probably be dying for one spoken word (surprise! there are none). This is a refreshing take on the soundtrack, and a thoughtfully done production.

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley, Aaron Paul
Director: Ridley Scott
Running Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Rating: PG-13

I had some serious doubts about Christian Bale portraying Moses in Ridley Scott's latest snoozefest epic tale "Exodus: Gods and Kings." He won't be winning an Oscar for this role, but he was believable for the most part. Props though to Bale, for going from playing the love of my life in the 1994 classic "Little Women," to every little boy's hero in Nolan's Batman trilogy, to the Chosen One in arguably the most famous story in the Old Testament. Beautiful cinematography, extravagant costumes and a fairly strong supporting cast makes this a successful film overall, though it could have been shortened by about 45 minutes. And by the way, Egypt is supposedly banning its release.

Moses was hot!
Photo Courtesy of Wall Street Journal/20th Century Fox

Biblical films and TV shows are apparently trending this year ("Noah," "Son of God," NBC's "AD".) You know the story: Baby Moses' life is spared when his mother sends him down the Nile in a basket, where he is found and adopted by the royal Egyptian family. He ultimately leads the Israelite slaves to freedom in Canaan through the Red Sea. Joel Edgerton gives an honest performance as Ramses, Moses' adopted brother and the heir to the Egyptian throne. Ramses is clearly conflicted as a leader and as his father said, "those who want most badly to lead are those who are least equipped to do so."

Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley are familiar faces, who only grace the screen for a combined total of 7 minutes. Same goes for everyone's favorite meth maker sidekick Aaron Paul, though his first line really wasn't until the parting of the Red Sea. It's a risk, trusting writers and directors to present stories you've always heard about in the way they've always imagined them. God appears to Moses in the form of a 10 year old boy, an interesting choice, one I don't feel strongly about one way or the other. The 10 plagues that were cast upon Egypt took an impressive 25 minutes, and were beautifully portrayed, as horrid as they may have been. Scott's parting of the Red Sea wasn't at all like I imagined, but over the top special effects exist for a reason.

I was expecting this to be more of a holiday blockbuster, but I'm afraid this one has already gotten swept to the side. It's the strongest Biblical take I've seen in a while, but don't worry if you wait to RedBox this one.

Texas: Part Deux

My love affair with Texas has gotten out of control. It seems like a different world down there, one that I can't seem to get enough of after a brief taste of it in the spring of 2014. After exploring more of the sites and bites that Houston has to offer, and dipping my toes into the funky, music-heavy, food truck haven that is Austin, it's safe to say I'll be back many, many times. It's also safe to say that it's nearly impossible to want to be a vegetarian in this state.

I thank my trusty host and BFF Kate for selecting the best of the best when it came to our dining experiences. Sweet Paris Creperie is one of the best breakfasts I've ever had. Torn between sweet and savory, we opted for both - Le Mexicain, offering Pork Carnitas and Chipotle Salsa, and the Toasted Bueno, my first food "moment" of the trip. I seriously paused to savor the sticky Dulce de Leche, marrying Bananas, Coconut, Cinnamon and Vanilla Bean Sugar. It was sensational.

Underbelly's Executive Chef Chris Shepherd received the 2014 James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest. Naturally, his joint was on my list. Pork Carnitas, Lamb Barbacoa, Korean Goat Dumplings - see above re: hard to try vegetarianism here. Everything's bigger in Texas, especially the flavors. And the variety of cuisines - my gosh! Everything I ate topped the last. Istanbul Grill is outstanding Turkish food. The Kofte Kebab lamb patties are juicy, tender and boast huge flavor. The Iskender Kebab reminded me oddly of Italian food - doner meat is topped with toasted pita crumbs and tomato sauce, with a pool of cooling yogurt around the dish. Mind blown. I couldn't get enough.

These days, Austin is known for two things: the music and food truck scenes. In a 12 hour span, I indulged in BBQ, Thai and Tex-Mex, all from food trucks. It's all the rage there, but I can't help but wonder how long they will continue to be so popular. I couldn't wait to get my hands on some authentic Texas-style 'que, so stop # 1: La Barbecue. This place has become an institution in Austin. Pulled Pork piled on top of Chopped Brisket with Pickled Red Onions sits on a soft bun. It was nearly the size of my face, and so easy to devour. I'm a vinegary Carolina BBQ gal at heart, but this was to die for.

After perusing the happenings on South Congress Street, we decided to check out East Side Kings' Thai-Kun, which made Bon Appetit Magazine's list of Top 10 Best New Restaurants. Yes, a FOOD TRUCK made this list. (As well as Huffington Post's and Travel Channel's). Did I mention the creator, Paul Qui, won Top Chef? I couldn't have been more SOLD on this place. But if you can't handle spice, this is not the truck for you. I typically can't get things hot enough to satisfy me, but the Black Noodles and Waterfall Pork melted my face off. I'm disappointed that the spice totally overwhelmed the other flavors, besides Fish Sauce. Luckily, I spotted a taco truck later that night (or earlier the next morning, depending on how you look at it) which made up for it.

Brunch at Searsucker in Austin gave me my second food "moment" of the trip: a Duck Fat Biscuit, swimming in Duck Fat Gravy with Chicken Fried Steak. Duck ME it was tasty. Ducking delicious. The savoriness and richness of the dish really only allowed you to eat about 3 bites, but I will remember the salty, crunchy, buttery flavors for a very long time. Brown Butter Bourbon French Toast was absolutely gorgeous and picturesque, but missing all notes of Brown Butter and Bourbon! What's that about! But eating the fruit garnish made up for all the indulgent dishes I had tried this weekend.

Look at that cream!

This drink is prettier than me.

Honorable mention bites include Shipley's Do-nuts, giving me the fullest cream-filled donut I've ever had. The elasticity of the yeast dough almost pops in your mouth when you bite into it, and the cream just oozes out. For future reference, these can be devoured in 2.5 bites. My new favorite cocktail from Anvil ingeniously combines Gin, Lambrusco, Lemon and Rose Syrup. Sweet, tart, acidic - heaven! Thanks to my fantastic tour guides and friends for indulging in my indulgences! Texas loves Texas and so do I!

Horrible Bosses 2

Starring: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Christoph Waltz
Director: Sean Anders
Running Time: 1 hour, 48 minutes
Rating: R

I could watch Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis all day. Seriously, they're cracking me up more than any comedic actors right now, and they're all hot, in a weird "you're only hot because you're funny" kind of way. (In all honesty, Bateman is slowly creeping into my #3 spot, right after DiCaprio and Fassbender, for those of you taking notes). I'm a big "Always Sunny" fan, so if this is the first time you're experiencing Day, I admit he's a little polarizing, but give him time to win you over. Anywho, if you saw and enjoyed the first installment of Horrible Bosses (it grossed $300 million, so some of you definitely did), you're bound to love the second one. A similar plot, hilarious cameos, eye candy galore - this is a guaranteed 2 hours of FUN.

Yum, yum and yum! Photo Courtesy of Hollywood Reporter

Nick (Bateman), Kurt (Sudeikis) and Dale (Day) are at it again. Dissatisfied with their employment, looking to be their own bosses, getting screwed over by the man - same old song and dance. As they try to come up with something less illegal to do than killing your boss (like in the first movie) Kurt suggests "kidnaping," to which Nick replies that adding a "p" would actually make it a real thing. Conundrums like these fill the movie, including witty improvised bits - "I would marry Snap, bone Crackle, and kill Pop."

We're thrilled to welcome back the familiar supporting cast of Jen Aniston, Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx, who reprise their roles of sex-addicted former boss of Dale, insanely inhumane former boss of Nick, and hit man instructor/coach, respectively. They all shine. We're thoroughly pleased to have Christoph Waltz and Chris Pine join the cast as a father-son pair. More like pair of a-holes! Their greed and deranged heartlessness is almost laughable, but it's no laughing matter to our three musketeers.

If I had it my way, there would be an HB3, HB4, HB5 and so on. I didn't tire of the predicaments, as silly as they may have gotten. I can only imagine how much laughter came from the set of this film. This will definitely have you rolling.

Interstellar

Starring: Matt McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain
Director: Christopher Nolan
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hours, 49 minutes

This is a pretty polarizing film. For every "I loved it," I heard an "I hated it." Readers, I didn't love it, I didn't hate it - rather, I didn't NOT love it, if that makes any sense. Matt McConaughey is an absolute gold mine in this role - the more I see of him, the more I like him - and I wouldn't be surprised one bit if the Academy pulls another "two Oscars in a row," a la Tom Hanks (Philadelphia and Forrest Gump). If you're into Sci Fi, you will adore this movie. As a fan of "Gravity" and "Alien," I appreciated the spacial and Sci Fi elements of it, but could have stood for it to be about 30 minutes shorter. Don't they know people can't sit through nearly a three hour long movie? I mean, I was engrossed for as long as possible, but they lost me about 2 hours and 15 minutes in.

Lincoln Commercial or Interstellar?
Photo Courtesy DoddleMe

This film is as much about Sci Fi as it is about family relationships. Several scenes between McConaughey and the beautiful, brilliant child who plays his daughter will nearly bring tears to your eyes. He is so believable in this role and seems truly genuine, showing depth that I haven't seen before. (Though some moments reminded me all too much of his infamous Lincoln commercials, see: monotone monologues, gazing out into traffic space.) Joking aside, McConaughey will win you over, even if that's the only thing you take from this film.

Kudos to Chris Nolan for writing such a thought-provoking and captivating story, one I'd never seen or heard before. Former NASA pilot Cooper (McConaughey) and his family live in a time and place that isn't clear to the audience, but one thing is certain - mankind and the future of the Earth as our home as we know it, is in trouble. Cooper is recruited by NASA to fly into space and explore a wormhole/portal outside of Saturn, to see if it is possible to support human life once the Earth inevitably fails us. Much to the chagrin of his daughter, he heads out into space. Alongside him is Anne Hathaway, who plays a scientist with no social life or social skills - perfect for her! (That was a dig at Anne, whom just I can't stand.)

The females who play Cooper's daughter Murph shine. Mackenzie Foy (as young Murph) had such real chemistry with McConaughey - your heart breaks for her as he drives away to his mission after a reluctant goodbye. I can't get enough of Jessica Chastain, who plays older Murph. Such a beauty and natural talent. John Lithgow isn't in the film long enough as Cooper's father-in-law, and several cameos make for nice surprises (Casey Affleck, Ellen Burstyn, Matt Damon and Topher Grace being among them).

This film is without a doubt going to receive several award nominations this year. You'd be missing out to not see it, but be prepared for a long afternoon, to pay attention, and to hear a lot of McConaughey's Southern drawl and "whistle S," as I like to call it. The ending is a bit far-fetched, but I was glad to know how they wrapped up the story, though it could have been done a lot sooner.

Nightcrawler

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, Riz Ahmed
Director: Dan Gilroy
Running Time: 1 hour, 57 minutes
Rating: R

In "Nightcrawler," Jake Gyllenhaal is possibly the sexiest creep the big screen has ever seen. It's hard not to be mesmerized by his blue eyes, charming smirk and dark hair (especially when it's twisted into a bun, oi!) but unfortunately, my high hopes for this film were not met. I imagined it would be in the same vein as last year's hit "Prisoners," or perhaps even my favorite Gyllanhaal film "Brothers". Alas, it was entirely too long and at times oddly reminiscent of "Network." In the first 15 minutes, I thought I had the plot figured out. I was way off. This tour de force by Gyllenhaal will earn him several nominations this season, but that's about all this movie will get. It won't be on at the theatre another week.

Gyllenhaal plays Louis Bloom, an outcast with terribly awkward social skills and just enough nervous tics and oddities that you know immediately not to trust him. It's hard to put your finger on what's wrong with him, but something is definitely off. He's looking for work, perhaps a purpose, and will do just about anything to make a name for himself. Enter Bill Paxton, everyone's favorite twister chaser/Titanic historian/polygamist. Paxton plays a stringer, a freelance journalist of sorts, who inspires Bloom to become one as well. He and his partner Rick (a fabulous performance by Riz Ahmed) begin selling their footage to a dying news station, and questioning their morals each time they arrive on the scene of a brutal crime.

Rene Russo (you read me right, where has she been? OH, being married to the director.) is brilliant as Nina, the TV station manager who recognizes Bloom's talent as well as his creep factor. Suggestions of blackmail and foul play make for an incredibly uncomfortable confrontation at a Mexican restaurant between these two. This tension leads to one of the best "behind the scenes" scene I've ever seen (wow, 3 times in 1 sentence!) Getting a taste of what it's like in the news control room during a broadcast is something I'm not familiar with at all, and it was incredibly intriguing.

You'll be close to passing out during the final climactic 15 minutes. I was holding my breath, clutching my armrest, tapping my feet - it's seriously intense for a while. But there is definitely some humor in this film - you just have to appreciate dark comedy. And for a mentally unstable person, Bloom actually makes some very thoughtful observations about running a business and surviving in a dog-eat-dog world. I'd save your $5.75 - $18 (depending on what city you're in) and hold out for the other guaranteed hits this season.

Hakka Chow

I've seen many restaurants come and go in the space that Hakka Chow currently fills in Winston-Salem. From my recent dining experience, this one will be sticking around. Word of mouth, social media - the rave reviews kept this place on my radar until I was finally able to see what all the fuss was about. Think of it as a Phoenix (popular Asian spot in Greensboro) or even a PF Changs (a favorite chain among many). The menu is extensive, with more dishes that I wanted to try than I could order! The restaurant is dimly lit with Asian-themed decor, and would be a perfect date spot, though I saw several families and business partners enjoying themselves here too. They're re-working the menu to make it a little more concise, and introducing some new dishes. I need to return ASAP in case some of the enticing things I had my eye on disappear!

The Singapore Rice Noodles were the best thing we tasted that evening. Chicken, Shrimp and vegetables like Carrots, Bean Sprouts and Scallions are tossed with thin rice noodles and coated with a light Curry sauce. This wasn't overly spicy, and the curry wasn't offensive in the least - it was a fantastic balance. The noodles clung to the curry so that each bite had the right amount of sauce!

Kung Pao Shrimp serves a substantial number of plump, lightly battered Shrimp among veggies like Zucchini, Carrots, Peppers and Onion, with Peanuts for a perfect and necessary crunch. The little pepper beside the item on the menu fooled me - it wasn't as hot as I was hoping, but a dash (or 5) of Sriracha got it to the heat level I needed to clear out my sinuses. (I never know if I should trust those little peppers in the menu...how hot are we really talking?) This is a yummy dish, nonetheless!

Spicy Asparagus is a very well-satisfying side. Julienned-cut, the al dente veggie is stir-fried with a spicy red chili sauce and garlic. When a dish promises me heat, I expect it. This definitely delivers. They prepare Green Beans the same way.

Not in the mood for stir fry? Hakka Chow even offers sushi. I'm telling you, this place has it all! The fish that comes with an order of Nigiri is quite substantial - you definitely get your money's worth. The safe but tasty Winston roll features Shrimp Tempura, Avocado and Cucumber, with a Spicy Mayo and Sweet Eel Sauce.

The Crispy Boneless Duck with Sweet and Sour Sauce, and Spicy Sizzle Lamb are screaming my name so hard. The excellent service and tempting menu has me ready to return. I can't wait to go back.

Da Reggae Cafe

Da Reggae Cafe was packed when my friend and I dined there for lunch last week. I'd never had authentic Jamaican cuisine, and when I walked in, I caught fragrances of spicy, sweet meats cooking, and possibly a hint of incense (I couldn't decide which smelled better). Service is friendly, food is reasonably priced and flavors are more exciting than what you're likely to eat any other day of the week. They're not kidding about their spice levels though, hence the frequent and appreciated water refills, so prepare your taste buds. (But they will thank you.)

Coco Bread is slightly sweet, and perfect to sop up the sauce that we were to about to enjoy. You can kind of peel off the bread in layers, and it's much thicker than Naan or Injera (the much-admired breads of Indian and Ethiopian cuisines, respectively). Plantains are much like bananas, but not quite as sweet, and "fun-sized." Though we ordered them fried, it seemed more like they were grilled, but I enjoyed the crispy char more than I would have batter anyway.

Jerk Chicken

I foolishly assumed Jerk Chicken would be much like Cajun cuisine. It's definitely got the spice, sweetness and tang that you would expect, but it's a different flavor profile than I imagined. The heat from the sticky brown sauce is serious business, but the chicken is tender, and you get a leg and a thigh. Entrees are served with rice and red peas, and the most insanely delicious cabbage I've ever tasted. I asked, rather, I begged, "what is the secret ingredient?!?" They wouldn't let me in on it. It could very possibly be butter, but it's tender, savory and rich. I didn't think cabbage could taste so spectacular. Oxtail is cooked on the bone, so the bites that aren't grissly are extremely tender. This brown sauce also contains high levels of heat, and is similar to the one served with the Jerk Chicken, but noticeably sweeter.

Oxtail. I spy Plantains!

Banana Coconut Cake

You'll want to save room for dessert. The combination of Banana Coconut Cake seemed too good to pass up, and this incredibly moist cake reminded me of a light banana bread, with a thick, slightly coconutty frosting. It was difficult to resist eating the entire piece in one sitting. I can only imagine how lip-smackingly good their other flavors are.

You were nice too, John!

I will most definitely return to Da Reggae Cafe. The Curried Goat is calling my name. I think what made this experience even more fantastic is how our table was noted on our check. It made our day.

Kitchen Roselli

Kitchen Roselli is one of those perfect first date places. Or a quaint spot for your birthday. Maybe even a special dinner with mom and dad. Located in East Bend (just 15 miles from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem), Kitchen Roselli is located in a small house with an inviting porch, dim lighting and some of the best Italian food in the Triad. Owners David and Laura Roselli are doing it right here, and I was lucky enough to meet Laura during my dinner. She is as kind as her food is tasty. You'll want to make a reservation since they're only open for dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The secret about this place is getting out quickly, if you can even call it a secret anymore.

Entrees are served with warm, crusty, salty Laura's Focaccia. Olive Oil and Balsamic really isn't necessary for this - it's strong enough to stand on its own. You also have your choice of a Sunny Italy Salad with Romaine, Roma Tomatoes, Onion and Celery with a sweet Italian dressing, or House Antipasto, a delightfully vinegary combination of Artichokes, Olives, Tomatoes, Peppers and Mozzarella cubes. (Try dipping the Focaccia in the marinade at the bottom of the dish.)

After dining here a few years ago, I remembered how much I adored the Tomato Sauce. (I still do.) It's absolutely divine. I couldn't get enough of the Spaghetti with David's Award-Winning Meatballs. Beef, Pork and Veal make up some of the most tender, juicy meatballs I can remember having, with just a touch of Pecorino Romano and Basil. The tender, al dente noodles hold that slightly sweet, perfectly tangy Tomato Sauce, and I appreciated that they weren't shy with the ladlefuls! This is quintessential comfort food, and Kitchen Roselli is where you'll want to get it.

One of the evening's specials was Pan-Fried Jumbo Fantail Shrimp (10 of them!) with Texas Pete Horseradish Sauce and Scampi Butter Dip. A side of spaghetti rounds out the dish. The shrimp are tender and encased by a flavorful breading, not greasy in the slightest. The Texas Pete Horseradish Sauce contains just the right amount of heat, and the Scampi Butter Dip is another fabulous surprise for Laura's Focaccia.

If you don't reserve a Cream Puff when you arrive, you'll likely regret it. These gems fly. Typically, Cream Puffs aren't my first choice dessert, but this rendition is irresistible. A flaky Puff Pastry houses a thick, rich Vanilla Custard, and is enrobed with a blanket of Dark Chocolate Ganache. This dessert has it all. It's so satisfying, but oddly enough, it doesn't weigh you down.

I have fallen hard for this place. Winston peeps, you have no excuse to not cruise the beautiful drive out Highway 67 (aka Reynolda Road) and experience this. Greensboro friends, it may be a bit more of a hike, but trust me, it's well worth it. The atmosphere is charming and the food will bring you back.

Tickets for NC Competition Dining's FINAL FIRE

The Got To Be NC Competition Dining Series has "got to be" one of my favorite events in the entire year. Since January, regional tournaments have taken place in Wilmington, Asheville, Greensboro, Raleigh and Charlotte, and the moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived: the FINAL FIRE! The 5 winners from each of the regional battles are sharpening their knives and donning their chef whites with the hopes to take home the ultimate title, and $4,000 cash, two handmade chef knives by Ironman Forge and a trip to the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley, compliments of Kikkoman and the Pro Chef Program!

At the battle, the chefs are assigned an NC ingredient or product, and they must prepare 3 courses with it. Diners have no idea what the ingredient will be, but trust me, you're guaranteed 6 tasty dishes. Perhaps the most fun part - YOU are the judge! Using your smartphone (or pen and paper), you'll vote on elements of the dish like appearance, taste and execution of the secret ingredient.

Me at Fire in the Triad earlier this year!

The first showdown is between Fire on the Dock champion Antione Murray (Cape Fear Country Club in Wilmington) and Fire on the Rock winner Michelle Bailey (Season's at Highland Lake in Flat Rock). That winner will take on Fire in the City champ Jon Fortes (Mimosa Grill in Charlotte). Fire in the Triad champion Tim Thompson (Marisol in Greensboro) will face Fire in the Triangle winner Dean Thompson (Flights in Raleigh). These are seriously tough brackets. The Final Fire will be a close one.

For those of you who haven't been to a battle, it's a fantastic thing to do with your sweetie, your parents or your friends - just as long as they're adventurous eaters! You can read about my experiences at Battle: Rabbit; Battle: Honey; Battle: Ostrich; and Battle: Chestnut Flour.

Hungry? You can purchase tickets this Wednesday, October 29 at 7pm, and you better believe these tickets will FLY. Last year, tickets were sold out in 8 minutes!

The Final Fire events will be held November 19-22, at Renaissance North Hills Raleigh. Tickets to attend the first three battles are $129, and tickets for the final championship battle are $139.

About The Got to Be NC Competition Dining Series

The Got to Be NC Competition Dining Series is sponsored by the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Pate Dawson-Southern Foods, Certified Angus Beef®, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, the NC Wine & Grape Council, Hits Technology and local partners in each region of the state. The goal of the series is to celebrate local North Carolina products and agriculture, and to showcase the culinary ingenuity and talent across the state. For more information, visit www.competitiondining.com or get in on the conversation at www.facebook.com/competitiondining and @CompDiningNC on Twitter or Instagram.