By Donna Cornelius Dining out is fun, especially in the metro Birmingham area. There are new restaurants to try, old favorites to revisit and menus that range from hamburgers and fries, to French, to farm-to-table. In recent years, the city’s culinary culture has been like Chef Emeril Lagasse’s concoctions: kicked up a notch. Last year, Birmingham had the top spot on Zagat’s … [Read more...]
An Artistic Affair: UCP’s Vino & Van Gogh Is Set for Aug. 18 at Iron City
By Donna Cornelius Robert Mondavi could have been writing a tagline for Vino & Van Gogh when he said wine is “warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art.” That’s because the annual event centers on both wine and art – and it gives warm-hearted, generous folks an opportunity to support United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham. Set this year for 6 to 10 p.m. … [Read more...]
The Family Guy: Samford AD Martin Newton Likes a Full House
By Donna Cornelius Most basketball fans would feel right at home in Martin Newton’s house – especially in the pool room. Framed jerseys signed by the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman fill one wall. Opposite them are jerseys from championship college basketball teams.At one end of the mantel is the basketball presented to Newton’s father, … [Read more...]
Jam Session: Food Network Crew Visits Blackwell’s Pub
By Donna Cornelius It’s not uncommon for Blackwell’s Pub and Eatery to draw a crowd – but not in the kitchen. Last month, a Food Network crew joined chef and owner Tyler DeStefano in the Cahaba Heights hot spot’s cooking area. They were in town to film a segment of “Local Flavor,” a digital series that highlights chefs and ingredients from across the United States. Each … [Read more...]
Bringing the Heat: BBQ Masters Will Battle It Out at Iron City Chef Competition
By Donna Cornelius A Birmingham cooking competition that’s traditionally a hot ticket is turning up the temperature this year. Iron City Chef: BBQ Edition will pit Birmingham-based grill-centric teams against each other. The event, hosted by the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club, is set for 6 p.m. July 23 at Jefferson State Community College’s Culinary and Hospitality Institute, at … [Read more...]