I mentioned last week that there would probably be plenty of upcoming opportunities to help our North Carolina neighbors in the recovery efforts from the ravages of Helene. One event has popped up with very little notice, so I thought I’d lead this week’s Monday Menu with that one. Elliott Moss is one of the most innovative and interesting pitmasters I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting (disclosure: I blurbed his cookbook), and his Buxton Hall Barbecue in Asheville was one of my favorite spots for whole hog and the South Carolina specialty, barbecue hash.
Moss has moved from Asheville to Florence, S.C., where he plans to open a new restaurant. But he hasn’t forgotten his friends in Asheville: He’s putting together some of his old Buxton BBQ crew for a day of cooking and eating with Sean Brock and the team at Audrey today, Oct. 14, from noon until 6 p.m.
Moss will be joined by David Phelps of Bailey St. BBQ in Asheville and NYC’s Jimmy Lee of Ripper's as they cook up some good old-fashioned Carolina barbecue at Audrey’s. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Western North Carolina recovery efforts, so drop by for a plate lunch!
Another opportunity to help out WNC is coming up on Sunday, Oct. 20, as Frankies is hosting a bake sale featuring goods from surrounding restaurants, with all proceeds from sales benefiting Polk County Community Foundation out of Tryon, N.C., to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene.
Frankies co-owner and local operator John Burns Paterson has family who live in North Carolina and are currently dealing with the hurricane’s devastating aftermath, so this is a very personal initiative for him. Starting at noon, the bake sale will take place on the Pizzeria patio at Frankies and feature items from Bad Idea, Audrey, Dozen, Crema, Folk, SS Gai, Noko and Kisser, as well as other friends in the industry. The sale will end when the goods run out, so get there early!
Next up is 8th & Roast’s homage to autumn. The Haunted Grounds Fall Fest at 8th & Roast's Midtown location (116 20th Ave. S.) will take place Saturday, Oct. 19. More than just pumpkin-spice mania, the event will feature several fun activities, including a costume contest with prizes so you can give your Halloween finery a trial run. 8&R is also partnering with local nonprofit Rural Animal Rescue Effort (RARE), who will bring puppies ready for adoption.
Other activities that day include pumpkin painting, food from their neighbors at Torchy’s Tacos, tarot card readings and vendors selling art, vintage clothing, comic books, vinyl and more from shops around Nashville. The Haunted Grounds Fall Fest is free to attend, but you can register in advance to let them know you’re coming.
Kamayan Feast at Sunda
Finally, one of the best things about October is that it’s Filipino American History Month (FAHM), and Sunda New Asian founder Billy Dec always offers up some unique dishes and drinks to highlight his Filipino heritage and the culinary traditions of his homeland.
Throughout the month, Sunda will offer some special dishes, including:
- SIZZLING TOFU SISIG: shishito peppers, shiitake mushrooms, black garlic aioli, garlic vinaigrette, crispy egg
- PORK BELLY SINIGANG: crispy pork belly, sinigang braised radish, sautéed spinach, seared tomatoes, tamarind broth
- PINAKBET: mussels, clams, shrimp, roasted squash, green beans, kabocha squash puree, bagoong chili crisp
- KAMAYAN FEAST: crispy pata, chicken inasal, adobo pork belly, garlic shrimp skewers, shanghai lumpia egg rolls, green beans, jasmine rice, dipping sauces — serves up to four guests
- BIBINGKA: coconut rice cake, ube butter cream
- EMERALD CITY: pandan rum, coconut milk, guava puree, lime pineapple
I can personally recommend the Kamayan experience as one of the most fun evenings of eating I’ve ever enjoyed in town, and now you can have it scaled down in size for a table of four.
