The Chatham Food Hub project emerged at a time when it was most needed. Led by Eleanor Wertman, MPH (Program Manager, Community Health at UNC Health Alliance | Population Health Services), it is a significant and innovative project melding food, drink, chefs, and community. Our hospitality businesses (caterers, restaurateurs, chefs, farmers) will serve guests Wednesdays in Siler City at Bray Park this summer.
Our Chatham Food Hub series profiles all the charter members of this drive-through food court, with pre-orders taken online.
The latest restaurant to join the Hub is one that has been part of the local food scene, in Pittsboro, for a little more than a decade, Angelina’s Kitchen. Owner and chef, Angelina Koulizakis, has worked with the convention & visitors bureau on many local, regional, and statewide initiatives, from her first endeavors upon opening her eatery in Chatham County, so we were pleased when she became an addition to our growing food hub in Siler City.
Angelina found a good fit when she and her husband John moved to Chatham County in 2009 from Albuquerque, New Mexico. They moved to the East Coast for family; John’s family is in North Carolina and Angelina’s family is in Virginia. Angelina elaborates, “As we were settling into North Carolina, we started to look for work and found ourselves coming to Pittsboro for the farmers’ market and the co-op (Chatham Marketplace). I was so enamored by the wonderful produce available and the local merchants (Pam Smith and Carol Hewitt, among many). One thing led to another and even though neither John nor I had any restaurant experience, we decided to risk our savings and open up a small mom and pop restaurant to showcase the amazing local food available in Chatham County. John continues to land survey on a part-time basis and works at the shop the rest of the time. I am pretty much always at the shop.”
Angelina has always been eager to participate with the CVB when asked and we’ve invited her to serve on a panel when we co-presented at the annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference (hosted and sponsored by Carolina Farm Stewardship Association), and on several initiatives for People-First Tourism, of which the CVB is a charter partner and collaborator.
Angelina’s passion for local food stems from love of cooking and sharing with all, “I believe the reason we continue to operate our little shop is the abundant and vibrant local sustainable family farms. We started with the farms and that has kept us going through all these years. The menu is always changing and seasonal and never boring. The Chatham county community is full of energizing art and music, fresh nutrient dense food, wonderful caring community minded people.”
Angelina’s Kitchen recently joined the Chatham Food Hub and explains, “I felt the need to participate in helping the western part of our county thrive. Pittsboro gets a lot of attention – but there are so many sweet little shops in Siler City and of course plenty of our farms are west of Pittsboro. We look forward to being a part of this exciting opportunity in Siler City! Eat local! Know your farmers! Keep your money in our community!”
Find a few Angelina’s Kitchen menu items at the weekly Wednesday Chatham Food Hub. The eatery will offer hummus, avgolemono (Greek chicken food for your nourishment and your soul), tzatziki, lentil soup, and a family dinner option. Make it convenient and order from multiple farms and eateries, including meals and groceries, a variety for the week, food from several of your favorite places.
About the Hub
Contact us for details about contributing to the Chatham Food Hub. Special thanks to Eleanor Wertman, Program Manager, Community Health, UNC Health Alliance | Population Health Services and The Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. All vendors are encouraged to join the Count On Me NC initiative, a joint effort created by government and health officials in partnership with industry leaders from across the state.
