By Donna Cornelius One of Birmingham’s newest restaurants doesn’t have dancing forks and spoons like the ones that sing out the welcome-to-the-table tune in “Beauty and the Beast.” But “Be Our Guest” could be the theme song for Rob and Emily McDaniel’s Helen in downtown Birmingham. Chef Rob’s favorite food memories of his grandmother and her cooking inspired the name of the … [Read more...]

By Donna Cornelius Gleaning” isn’t a word you hear often nowadays unless you’re listening to a church sermon about the Book of Ruth. In Old Testament times, hungry folks were allowed to glean – to go into farmers’ fields after harvests to gather up leftover crops. The Society of St. Andrew, a national nonprofit hunger relief organization, is based on this tradition. Its … [Read more...]

By Donna Cornelius Dinner at Jim ’n Nick’s Bar-B-Q wouldn’t be complete without two of the restaurant’s most popular products: its cheese biscuits and its barbecue sauce. But those who love the taste of the sweet little muffins and the tang of the sauce can enjoy them at home, too, thanks to JNN Retail. Since launching in 2011, the biscuit mix and three flavors of sauces are … [Read more...]

By Caroline Rice Brandon Stewart, a local Jimmy John’s franchisee and entrepreneur, began an initiative called Pay It Forward Alabama during the COVID-19 pandemic to raise money and donate Jimmy John’s meals to health care workers in Birmingham-area hospitals. Since then, Pay It Forward has raised more than $10,000 and fed more than 1,500 medical personnel. “In the midst of … [Read more...]

By Emily Williams While numerous restaurants and businesses have closed doors during the coronavirus pandemic, Terrill and Ashley Brazelton have been working hard to open theirs. When the Vestavia Hills couple opens Troup’s Pizza this week in Cahaba Heights, they will be sticking to curbside service and a limited menu. Troup’s has taken over the space formerly occupied by … [Read more...]