In their widely ignored follow-up to last year's scam, er, contest, Southern Living has ranked Louisville among the South's Ten Tastiest Towns (in an alphabetical, un-ranked list) after giving the title to Durham.
Interesting choice of top spots, including the currently closed Meat. It looks like they sent in a reporter and someone pointed him/her to NuLu.
Here's the un-edited news release.
LOUISVILLE HONORED AS ONE OF THE
“TASTIEST TOWNS IN THE SOUTH”
IN THE MAY ISSUE OF SOUTHERN LIVING
The City Is Recognized for Refined Fare Without Pretense
To celebrate the best of today’s Southern cuisine, Southern Living announces the “10 Tastiest Towns in the South,” as determined by popular vote. Each town is featured in the May issue, on newsstands April 19th. For the full story, go to www.southernliving.com/tasty
Southern Living editors identified the most compelling food destinations across the region and allowed consumers to vote for their favorites once per day from January 10th to February 28th.
While Durham, NC took home the top award, Louisville, KY impressed editors and voters alike. In a town where bourbon is king, Louisville was recognized for its refined fare without pretense.
In the issue, Southern Living editors share the culinary vibe of each destination, identify its star tastemakers, and cite where to go for the best bites and the best nightcap.
Chefs Kathy Cary and Edward Lee are cited as the city’s star tastemakers. The magazine also singles out Garage Bar, MilkWood and St. Charles Exchange and recommends the Far From Frisco cocktail at Meat.
“The South's culinary scene has become richer and more diverse than ever,” said Southern Living Travel and Features Editor Jennifer Cole. “Whether you’re a native or a tourist, there's an endless variety of dishes, restaurants and local flavors to discover across our region.”
The Southern Living 10 “Tastiest Towns in the South” are:
Asheville, NC: Intrepid casual fare from a tight-knit, indie-chef community
Atlanta, GA: Tradition infused with global punch thanks to heritage-minded chefs
Austin, TX: Where smoke and swagger meet urban ethnic style with a twang
Charleston, SC: Hyper-attention to local sourcing and indigenous heirloom ingredients
Durham, NC: Artisans devoted to coffee beans, brews, and the craft of humble foods
Greenville, SC: Internationally inspired food with a locally owned, Main Street sensibility
Louisville, KY: Refined fare without pretense, in a town where bourbon is king
Memphis, TN: A bountiful crossroads of ’cue, crops and rising culinary stars
Miami, FL: A culinary Mrs. Robinson (mature, refined, sexier than ever) with a Southern accent
New Orleans, LA: A masterful, provocative gumbo of oysters and innovators
Southern Living editors identified the top 10 “Tastiest Towns in the South” based on the following criteria:
· Food as a cultural identity: The unique food or ethnicity that defines a particular Southern region
· Growth of a culinary-minded community: The influence that the culinary industry has on the local community and tourism
· Diverse cuisine at a variety of price points: Accessibility to hearty, flavorful meals at any budget
· Local, sustainable food practices: The focus on sourcing products from local purveyors to geographically define where each meal comes from
· Hot chefs on the rise: The influence of the area’s culinary talent in the media and pop culture
· Abundance of buzz-worthy food events: The number of festivals in the area that celebrate all things food and drink