Winners named in ‘Dig into Local’ contest

Five N.C. restaurants from Albemarle, Charlotte, Raleigh and Winston-Salem were recently recognized for featuring locally grown, raised, caught and made products during the “Dig Into Local Best Menu NC” contest.

“This contest is about more than simply identifying a menu item as ‘local’,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The ‘Dig Into Local Best Menu NC’ contest asked chefs to be more specific about where they source ingredients, and expand those options across their menus.”

Menus were judged for clearly identifying N.C. agricultural products, farms and manufacturers; highlighting seasonal produce; identifying items with unique regional connections; offering N.C. wine, beer and spirit selections on the menu; including multiple courses featuring N.C. ingredients; and offering a good balance of N.C. products across protein, grain and produce categories.

Five restaurants were recognized for having outstanding menus based on the above criteria. Each restaurant will receive an award to display. Following is a list of winning restaurants and chefs:

-- Bonterra, Chef Blake Hartwick (Charlotte)

-- Graze, Chef Richard Miller (Winston-Salem)

-- Heirloom, Chef Clark Barlowe (Charlotte)

-- Off the Square, Chef Justin Mauldin (Albemarle)

-- Sitti, Chef Donaldo Guzman (Raleigh)

The Dig Into Local Best Menu NC contest, sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is one of many promotional activities of the department’s Marketing Division. The division also manages the Got To Be NC and Savor NC branding programs, hosts trade shows and workshops for food businesses, and sponsors the popular Got to Be NC Competition Dining Series. More information about marketing programs is available at www.gottobeNC.com.