Interested in seeing what our local chefs can do without any animal products? Two local women, Chef Shirlé Hale-Koslowski and Eleni Vlachos, contacted us to let us know about an interesting food challenge they are putting together for our dining scene. They are challenging several Durham restaurants to add a vegan appetizer, breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert to their menus for the month of October, and then asking diners to try them out and vote for their favorite dishes online. A winner will be declared in early November, and perhaps …

It looks like there is another food truck event being organized:  Sunday, June 27 from 4-7pm at the Durham Farmers’ Market pavilion.
According to the Herald-Sun:
On the roster: Only Burger, Indian Food on Wheels, Bulkogi, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Mom’s Delicious Dishes, Kona Chameleon, and Locopops. What’s new: Liberacion Juice Station, Joe’s Diner hot dog cart, and possibly Fired Flour, a wood-fired pizza oven mobile.

According to this Facebook page and this N&O blog entry, the following food trucks will be parking outside of Sam’s from 11:30am-3pm on Sunday (6/6/10):  Only Burger, Indian Food on Wheels, Daisy Cakes, Bulkogi Korean BBQ To Go, Parlez-Vous Crepe and Mom’s Delicious Dishes.
Cool.

As an extreme Top Chef fan, I was giddy upon hearing the news that its producers are coming out with a new competition reality show—for restaurants.  And they’re having an open casting call in Raleigh on Monday!  Check out below for the press release, and see the show’s website for more info.

Halloween party at our favorite Durham institution: All People’s Grill.  Get the fried chicken if you go.

This Saturday, May 30, is the 7th Annual Bull City Chili Challenge.  How have I managed to live here for six of those seven years and not hear about this event until now?
Some details:
In case you were worried, this cook-off is sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI).  It will take place in Durham Central Park and benefits go to the Special Olympics.  Tasting starts around noon for chili (11am for salsa), and you get a “tasting kit” (spoon and small cups for the chili) for $4.  Can you handle the …

For Restaurant Week, we decided to only try places outside of Durham.  In case you are curious, here is a quick summary of our thoughts:
Dinner @ Jibarra (327 W. Davie St):  Cool upscale Mexican place (restaurant and “tequila lounge”) with some good eats.  I loved its funky modern decor that’s worked really well into the historic building (a train depot).  Off the Restaurant Week menu, we had the Cochinita Pibil (shredded pork), Pollo Al Pastor with lentil puree, and the coconut and papaya flan.

The chicken, while a little boring (not very spicy) …

UPDATE: We just got a corrected email informing us that the original info we got was wrong: MvF will actually be filming at Backyard BBQ on THURSDAY.  Hope to see you there!
Prior to Adam Richman’s participation in the Doughman competition, he’ll be hitting up two Durham spots on Tuesday, May 19, to film for his show:  Wimpy’s (617 Hicks St) at 10:30 am – 12:30 pm ON TUESDAY MAY 19, and Backyard BBQ Pit (5122 NC Highway 55) at 5:30 – 7:30 pm ON THURSDAY MAY 21.
I don’t know that …

We are just a bit late posting on this, but Triangle Restaurant Week is going on as we speak (May 11 – 17).  Restaurants across the Triangle are offering prix fixe menus ($15 for lunch, $25 for dinner) — at some of these places, this is a great deal.  We have reservations for pretty much every day!

Cool John Ferguson will be doing two shows at All People’s Grill (6122 Guess Rd) on May 9 and May 30, both starting at 10pm.  (We will probably go to both.)  Tickets are $15.  Everything is cash only.

People often ask us what our favorite find has been in Durham.  I can never come up with a single answer, but if I was to make a short list, All People’s Grill would definitely be on it.  If you’ve never listened to us before, listen to this:  go to one of these shows for …