North Carolina is the Pig Pickin’ Capital of the World. At least, that’s what then-Gov. Bob Scott decreed in1972. The governor signed a proclamation on Oct. 9 of that year solidifying the cultural and culinary significance of the pig pickin’ in North Carolina. Pig pickin’ is a piece of North Carolina heritage and history that … Read more
In North Carolina it is understood that barbecue is a noun and represents pork proudly cooked on a smoker and served to a crowd. It is our state that created the debate, as well as divided a state, between vinegar-based and tomato-based sauce and established the pig pickin’ as the classic Southern get together that … Read more
2025 marks the 100th volume of the Agricultural Review, the free newspaper published by the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. To celebrate, we’re taking a journey back in time. We’re digging out some old papers, dusting off their pages and looking back at what has happened in agriculture in the last 99 years. … Read more
The Got to Be NC Festival returns to the State Fairgrounds this weekend. An eagerly anticipated part of the festival is the Saturday-only Carolina Pig Jig. Around 20 chapters of Masons will compete for bragging rights in this one-day competition and fundraiser. The real winners are the attendees, who for $20 gain entry and all-you-can-eat … Read more
Mike De Los Santos, owner of the award-winning barbecue sauce and dry rub line Mike D’s BBQ, first got into the business for a simple reason – he just thought he could do it better. De Los Santos, of Durham, discovered his love for barbeque at an early age. A self-described “barbecue junkie,” he dabbled … Read more
This year has been full of unprecedented times and situations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many families and individuals will be cooking at home this holiday season. That’s why we are bringing the dishes to you all month long in our Quarantine Kitchen series. We talked to twenty-three chefs who willingly shared some of their … Read more
Whether it’s to stretch the after-holiday budget, or just have something warm and hearty to enjoy when coming home from work on a cold winter day, slow cookers are are popular accessory on kitchen counters in January. The following slow-cooker recipe combines delicious North Carolina pork with a sauce that started out in a home … Read more
