Noda Chef Wins on Bobby Flay Food Network Appearance
Historic Arts & Entertainment Village
AUGUST 2021 [email protected] VOL. 15, ISS. 07 NODA.ORG @NoDaNews /NoDaCLT @NoDaCLT blog.noda.org
NODA CHEF WINS ON BOBBY FLAY FOOD NETWORK APPEARANCE
BINGO! BIG WINNERS IN NODA GAME NODA BREWERY TOURS ARE BACK COULD YOU GO CAR FREE? HELP OUT AT MONTHLY STREET CLEANUPS NOTES FROM NBA BOARD REMINDER: NO NBA MEETING IN AUGUST PAGE 2 NoDa chef wins in “Beat Bobby Flay” Food Network appearance
If you’re a Food Network fan, you might have seen a familiar face recently: NoDa’s own Chris Q. How were you chosen for the show? Coleman, executive chef at The Goodyear House, competed – and won – in an episode of “Beat A. The production company for “Beat Bobby Flay” reached out to me after I won Bobby Flay.” on “Chopped.” I had recently left Marriott to open Goodyear House (in August 2019), so the timing was super exciting. By NoDa News In the episode (titled “Best Dressed in TV” if you missed it), Chris competed against Chef Siddharth Krishna before taking on Bobby Flay. Below, he shares some of the highlights and Q. How did you feel going into the competition? Did you expect to win? surprises (cottage cheese, anyone?) of the experience. A. I was confident but still nervous. I wouldn’t say I expected to win, but I did expect to do well. I think I had a chip on my shoulder after “Chopped.” Honestly though, I just wanted to get past the first round.
Q. What dishes did you make? A. In the first round, our star ingredient was cottage cheese, one of only like three things I don’t enjoy eating. I made a cottage cheese arancini with spicy stewed tomatoes.
My signature dish was chicken and rice stew, a dish I was developing for Goodyear House (if you dined with us pre-COVID shutdown, it was featured on the menu as Guinea Hen Stew).
Q. Were there any curveballs? A. Other than the cottage cheese, not really.
Q. How did it feel to beat Bobby Flay? A. It felt amazing, but honestly surreal. Same as winning “Chopped.” It didn’t hit me until later that day.
Q. Have you done anything like this before? A. As I’ve mentioned, I have appeared on “Chopped” and won that, so I’m a “Chopped” champion as well as a member of the Beat Bobby Flay club.
Q. How was the experience overall? A. It was so much fun. My personal motto is “always take the meeting” because sometimes life will take you in directions you never imagined – you may end up opening a cool restaurant in NoDa or appearing on a national cooking show!
Q. Last but not least – any Goodyear House news or updates you want your NoDa neighbors to know? A. We want to thank NoDa for their continued support. The last year and a half have been crazy and we are so lucky and fortunate to be in the position we’re in. We’ll be announcing some fun initiatives soon, including a back-to-school cookout to benefit BuildOn, a charity we’re stoked about, and a partnership with the Johnston Y! Explore NoDa Bingo aims to help reconnect neighborhood after COVID closures PAGE 3
Bingo! One lucky person and lots of local businesses will win big with Explore NoDa Bingo.
Charlotte Strength, a gym on Anderson Street, launched the game in July in By Whitney Stein collaboration with more than 20 NoDa businesses as a way to connect the community and support small business.
“We have a great microeconomy in the NoDa community,” said Tayler Harris, Charlotte Strength co- owner. “Our community really fosters small businesses, and we want to highlight these businesses so everyone can see what NoDa has to offer.”
Each participating business had 100 bingo cards to pass out, and one square on the card with a task for participants to do at that business, like grabbing a coffee at Smelly Cat or eating a slice of pizza at Benny’s. Once a task is completed, the business gives out a stamp. Participants had the month of July to get as many bingos as possible, with each bingo equaling one entry in the grand prize drawing. On Aug. 2, a winner will be chosen to receive one prize from each participating business.
The staff at Charlotte Strength came up with the idea as a way to help businesses rebound from the impact of COVID-19, reconnecting NoDa residents with old favorites and introducing them to new ones.
“With COVID, we wanted to come up with a way to help get people back into the businesses that were forced to either shut down, adjust their hours, or any other shift that was no fault of their own,” said Chris Yandle, fitness director at the gym. “With the idea of tasks and prizes involved, we thought it would encourage people to try places they had never been to or places they haven’t been to in months. We envisioned it as people getting back into the community!”
The following businesses participated: Charlotte Strength, Free Will Craft and Vine, Renimart, NoDa Company Store, Birdsong Brewing, NoDa Brewing, Another Round Disc Golf, Benny Penello’s, Oh My Soul, The Sidekick, Rhino Market NoDa, Ebb & Flow Movement Studio, The Degenerate, Orto Italian Kitchen, Roy’s Kitchen and Patio, Spoons NoDa, Smelly Cat Coffee House, Divine Barrel Brewing, NoDa 101, Mac Tabby Cat Café, Free Range Brewing, The Exchange at 36th Street, The Hobbyist, Billy Jacks NoDa, and Eucalyptus Blooms.
Yandle said the game has garnered a great response from the NoDa community, so much so that they hope to make it an annual event.
“Every time someone mentions it, they love the idea. I’ve had people ask me to do one for Plaza Midwood or every month,” he said. “We have been very happy with the response and have enjoyed meeting new people as they drop in to our gym for a workout.”
If you missed it this year, don’t worry – while there’s no set date for the next one, Yandle said it would likely be next spring or summer. PAGE 4 Good things for you & the planet at NoDa Brewing Company
By Jenn Harrison
Less plastic! Have you noticed new four-pack packaging at your favorite beer retailer yet? Well, keep your eyes peeled. In an effort to reduce its footprint on the environment, NoDa Brewing Company is converting from recyclable plastic can holders to cartons for the majority of its packaged brews. The boxes are recyclable and more earth friendly. Cheers to Mother Nature…
...and cheers to FREE brewery tours! After (more than) a year-long pause due to COVID-19, brewery The taproom is overflowing with beer, fun, and good causes this month! tours are back at the North End taproom, Saturdays at Beer releases Free summer music Food trucks Workshops YDWDs (You Drink We Donate) $1/ 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. You’ll see draft to... where the magic happens Roaring Riot Lager John the Revelator (Aug. 7) A Piece of Havana, A Tana Free Sip & Paint (Aug. 6) Empanada, Bae’s Burgers, Girls Rock CLT (Aug. 3) and be guided through Miles & Music: Summer Run & Concert Class (Aug. 11) the brewing process. No Gordgeous Pumpkin Ale Baltimore Crab Co., Bayou Betty, Sweet Spot Bee Mighty (Aug. 10) Series in partnership with LendScout reservations required! (Aug. 13) Big City Bites, Caribbean Buzz, Studio: Brunch The Bulb (Aug. 17) by American Security Mortgage and @ Carolina Smash, Chickpeasy On Boards Simply show up – in time Habitat for Humanity Young True Grit SE IPA Wheels, Dumpling Girls, Mike’s (Aug. 14) to grab a drink from the aroundthecrown10K. Must register to Professionals (Aug. 18) (Aug. 20) Vegan Cookout, Mogogo, Lulu’s Usu Company bar to make it even more attend: Featherpocket and David Childers Theatre Charlotte (Aug. 19) enjoyable of course – and Rescue Brew Lager Hotdog Stand, Nacho Average Candle Class benefiting the Humane Society (Aug. 13) wait for the tour guide to (Aug. 27) Truck, Soul Miner’s Garden, Taco (Aug. 20) Rise Against Hunger (Aug. 24) make the announcement. Unspoken Tradition (Aug. 29) Love, Tin Kitchen Neighborhood Hope (Aug. 31)
● Run Cub (Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. / Sundays 12 p.m.) Be sure to check the brewery’s website and Facebook Event Have a favorite local nonprofit you’d ● Theatre Charlotte Sippin’ Summer Series (Aug. 19) pages for details, updates, and additions! Certain events like to suggest for a YDWD? Simply ● Trivia (Thursdays 6 p.m.) require registration even if they’re free. email [email protected]! Riding the last mile: A car-free trip to uptown PAGE 5
The 18 months since the pandemic started has been a great time to rethink customer service about my issues. While they were as pleasant and helpful as possible, they advised personal priorities. that the only way to use the app is to have logged in and purchased a pass before riding. As for the In the past couple of months, we decided to sell our second car and focus on decline of the credit cards, they mentioned that a few of their stations had encountered technical alternative transportation modes to get to and from our home. Living in NoDa, problems accepting credit cards. The agent did, however, direct me to the next nearest station. so close to uptown and transportation options Too late, I remembered that there is currently By Eric Linne such as bus lines and the no Joy Rides docking station near NoDa, so light rail, this seemed like that plan fell by the wayside. Glancing around, an easy change to implement. I noticed a nearby Spin electric scooter. Since I had brought my helmet for the e-bike ride, So this week, I decided to test the workability the scooter option seemed like the perfect of this decision. Mid-day, mid-week, I pivot. I engaged the scooter with my Spin decided to venture to uptown Charlotte app, and headed north on Davidson Street and back home again using non-automobile toward home ($1 to unlock and 15 cents-40 transportation options. Here’s how that cents per minute). went. The Spin scooter ride toward NoDa was First, I walked the five minutes to the light enjoyable, easy, and felt relatively safe with rail station at 36th Street. Before stepping the lighter traffic due to COVID. However, onto the platform, I clicked on the Charlotte about halfway home, the scooter dial began Area Transportation System (CATS) app and to beep. Pulling over to a safe spot, I noticed opened a previously purchased ticket ($2.20 that the electric charge indicator on the one way). To avoid fines, one is supposed to scooter was on the final dot. With fingers buy and open a CATS ticket before stepping crossed, I continued riding north on Davidson. onto the light rail platform. As luck would After crossing under the Matheson bridge, I have it, I had followed the rules. felt confident I would reach my destination under electric power. Immediately upon entering the light rail car, I encountered three CATS security officers I turned left at 36th Street and headed toward in the process of engaging a passenger who our home on the far side of the tracks from was riding without a ticket. In the end, that the center of NoDa. Having reached Benard passenger received a $50 ticket, an expensive reminder that tickets are in fact required to ride all Avenue, I decided to take one final lap around the block before dropping the scooter off at the corner. Charlotte public transportation options. Then, you guessed it, I ran out of charge. Rather than leaving the scooter at an inconvenient spot for After a short ride through the Mill District, I exited the train at 9th Street in uptown and began the the Spin employees to pick up, I walked the vehicle back to 36th street, ended the ride on my app, second leg of my journey. Having previously researched the stations containing Charlotte Joy Rides and walked the half-block home. e-bikes, I walked the two blocks to the closest docking station at 9th and Brevard. We had done a test ride of the Joy Rides e-bike system the previous weekend ($5 for 30 minutes). The ride was In the end, I was able to navigate alternative transportation to uptown and back. With a bit more thoroughly enjoyable and the sign-up was simple. preparation and observation on my part, the journey would have been simple, inexpensive, and enjoyable. I assumed that the same would be true with this ride. However, when I attempted to use my credit card to access the e-bike, both cards I was carrying were denied. When I attempted to use my For any neighbors interested in having an e-bike docking station in the heart of NoDa, I’d recommend app to unlock the bike, the app required a login that I didn’t have at the time. Finally, I spoke with contacting Charlotte Joy Rides through their website at charlottejoyrides.com. PAGE 6 PITCH IN AT MONThLY street CLEAN UPS NoDa NBA Board notes As I write this, the dog days of Summer are definitely upon us – heat and humidity reign, but so does a sense of newfound freedom as we gather in ever larger groups to hear live music, quench our thirst, or eat at one of our delicious neighborhood restaurants. While the calendar still says August, it won’t be long before the temperatures drop and NoDa events increase – all fingers are crossed for a return to normalcy (well, at least the NoDa version of it…) this Fall!! After the annual NBA meeting hiatus in August, we’re excited to resume in-person meetings in September! Don’t have too much fun over Labor Day weekend, because at 6:30pm on Tuesday, September 7th we resume in-person meetings in the back room at Heist. It’s always nice to see neighbors in person, and we’re all looking forward to the ability to discuss im- portant ongoing topics in person (even moreso with a cold beer and some good food). Plan on attending as we resume conversations around several critical rezonings, neighborhood events, and our Fall calendar.
At the following meeting on Tuesday, October th5 , the annual NoDa NBA elections will take place. This year, we’re putting out a call for residents and stakeholders who have an interest in serving and volunteering – whether you have experience with one specific area (account- ing, rezoning, event planning) or just a general passion for all things NoDa, the NBA Board is a great way to positively impact the neighborhood, meet like-minded folks, and give back to the Village we all live in. Reach out to [email protected] if you have questions or are curious about being on the Board – we’d love to chat with you! Deeper into the Fall, our calendar begins filling up with beloved annual NoDa events – the Ghosts & Legends Tour is fan favorite, offering the opportunity to hear macabre tales of NoDa cleans up textile manufacturing gone wrong, Mill Village children lost to time, and ghosts that lurk just nice, and you can out of sight. Pack some warm beverages and prepare to be scared! help keep it that way! The Freaky 5k will take place on Saturday, October 30th, with a route through the heart of Everyone is invited to join NoDa. It’s a great chance to preemptively burn those candy calories and rehydrate at neigh- monthly street cleanups, bors’ stations along the way. For the actual trick-or-treating, we’re currently looking at plans th held at 5:30 p.m. on the third for the pedestrian-zone Halloween party on 35 for the late afternoon of Sunday, October st Tuesday of each month (so the 31 . More to come! next one is set for Aug. 17). Volunteers can meet at the NoDa kiosk (3228 N. As always, don’t hesitate to drop the NBA Board a note with any questions or concerns – Davidson Street, near Room & Board). Gloves what are you seeing and hearing out in our streets that you’d like to discuss or improve and trash bags will be provided. upon? We hope to see you around the hood soon – here’s to a great final stretch of Summer and an exciting ramp-up to Fall! COMING SOON SOLD OUT Three modern craftsman homes New townhomes on 33rd St. in NoDa COMMONWEALTH PARK in nearby 36th St. LYNX Station Three modern craftsman homes COMMONWEALTH PARK HIGHLAND PARK
4 beds / 3 baths • 2-car garages • Large lots Completion late 2021 Join our VIP list!
PAM COOK | 704-677-2128 PAM COOK | 704-677-2128 SAUSSYBURBANK.COM SAUSSYBURBANK.COM/NODA PAGE 7 GET INVOLVED MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS JOIN A COMMITTEE PROMOTE a BUSINESS FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY NODA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MONTH
The NoDa NBA will NOT hold an August meeting. Just like the Charlotte city council observes a summer break, so too does your NoDa NBA. But get excited: we are planning to resume in-per- son meetings at Heist Brewery’s Cantina Room starting on the FIRST TUESDAY OF SEPTEMBER!
The NoDa Neighborhood and Business Association is a 501c3 non-profit community group, and began as the Historic North Charlotte Neighorhood Association in the late 1980s. We have met monthly for four decades, and continue to meet virtually during the COVID Pandemic.