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March 4, 2022
Where Chefs Eat: Cinder’s Duke Kroger
This chef sticks close to Uptown for his meals
The Dumpling Lady is a favorite of Kroger’s. Kristen Wile/UP
Folks in the restaurant industry know good food, so we want to know where they eat when they’re not cooking. In this series, we ask a local chef, bartender, restaurateur, or server to share their favorite restaurants in town and what they order there. This week, we interview Duke Kroger, owner of pop-up Cinder, a series centered on wood-fire cooking that focuses on farm-to-table foods. As a rising chef in the Charlotte food industry, Kroger has definitely chosen some Charlotte staples.
PARA, South End
A restaurant specializing in globally influenced tapas plates and carefully-crafted cocktails
Duke’s order: Short rib dumplings
Vana, South End
An more casual sister concept to Bardo focused on open-flame cooking
Duke’s order: Bone marrow
Fahrenheit, Uptown
An upscale spot on the 21st floor overlooking the city
Duke’s order: Lobster grilled cheese
Pro tip: Order a side of the miso dressing as a dip for multiple courses
The Dumpling Lady, Optimist Hall
A Sichuan food stall and food truck specializing in locally sourced and authentic Asian dishes
Duke’s order: Pork belly dumplings
Haymaker, Uptown
Chef William Dissen’s Southern menu practices local sourcing and sustainability
Duke’s order: Charcuterie Board
More from this series:
Patrick Gourmet’s Patrick Garrivier
Counter-‘s Sam Hart
Community Matters Cafe’s Ashley Anna Tuttle
Your Farms, Your Table’s Sam Diminich
Para’s Alex Verica
