Since the initial news of a Littleton, NC revival courtesy of a wealthy benefactor, Chef Ashleigh Fleming has been someone the community has welcomed with open arms and inquisitive palates. Her brand of combining her Texan roots with North Carolina local produce and our own cuisine was something to be marveled. However, on July 23, Fleming announced she would no longer serve as the executive chef at Blue Jay Bistro in Littleton.

In case anyone missed the news the other night, I am no longer at Blue Jay Bistro in Littleton. I am super excited about what the future holds. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of you that reached out. The calls and texts and emails and messages were incredible. So many guests, so many friends, it was really amazing and I am so grateful to all of you. I know it’s sad news for a lot of my favorite guests and the farmers and families that partnered with me for so many years to help make incredible food. But don’t worry, our best chapter starts now and I’m looking forward to working with yall again soon. Have a good week everybody!! (except for people that serve tomatoes and asparagus out of season from other countries, yall have a bad week!)

EDIT: I am not sure which post but I’m guessing this is the one that apparently in meaning or direction has been taken out of context and twisted somehow by some folks. Social media, you know? So that everyone is aware- this post was me notifying my followers of my career change. This post was a post of gratitude to all the people around me in our community that I built positive relationships with including and especially our farmers. As I posted it early in the morning on a Tuesday I was eating the last tomato I had from one of our farmers and it was incredible. I celebrate the fact that I bought local as often as I could in the last project and I am looking forward to working with all of our growers again soon as I intend to incorporate them as much as I can into all I do. And I stand by encouraging all of us to buy local and in season. It would be a game changer if all restaurants could do this. Not everything that someone posts is about someone or something else. Sometimes it’s just exactly what it says and nothing else. Sometimes it’s actually just about that damn good tomato I’m eating that never saw the inside of a refrigerator while I’m typing and wondering why anyone ever, Chef or otherwise, would want to eat that out of season.

In an Instagram story, she may have offered a glimpse of what is to come.

Fleming was recently featured in FSR Magazine as one who is “reviving small town fine dining.”

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Prepare a delicious meal from home along with Chef Ashleigh Fleming of Blue Jay Bistro for a great cause!

From the website:

Join us as they travel to Littleton, NC and visit Chef Ashleigh Fleming in the kitchen of Blue Jay Bistro. Your ticket purchase includes a link to the live event and a curated meal kit delivered to your home to cook alongside the chef!

Experience a taste of North Carolina’s agriculture and hospitality industry from the comfort of your own home with signature dishes from Blue Jay Bistro and ingredients sourced directly from North Carolina farmers.

When: Tuesday July 19th 6pm

How: An exclusive link to the live event will be sent via email

What: Meal kits (serves 2) featuring locally sourced ingredients will be shipped directly to your home the week of the event. Instructions on any additional ingredients, food preparation or suggested spirit pairings needed ahead of the event will be sent via email.

This event makes for a perfect date night or gathering! Grab your friends and neighbors and order additional meal kits here.

Join Chef Ashleigh and on screen guests in preparing the following:
* Barbecue Spiced Shrimp
* Cilantro Lime Rice
* Sweetpotato Salsa
* Sweetpotato MaiTai from the Blue Jay Bistro bar
Bonus recipe: Salad with Coconut Lime Vinaigrette

“This quick and easy summer time recipe is a great mash up of my Texas flavor roots, North Carolina produce, and of course my love affair with all things tiki, represented in our cocktail of choice! I will also include a bonus recipe for a Salad with Coconut Lime Vinaigrette. I recommend it, but it is definitely not necessary. I can’t wait to cook alongside y’all during our stream event and answer any questions you may have. Let’s get ready to have some fun!”- Chef Ashleigh Fleming

All proceeds will benefit the Mobile Market Program serving Eastern North Carolinians by making fresh, healthy food accessible and affordable for all.

For more information, click here.

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Save the date for the return of the Warren County Farmers Market!

In a newsletter sent out Thursday evening, Danylu Hundley of the Warren Growers Association announced the farmers market will return Saturday, April 30th. When asked if anything would be different this year, Hundley indicated they are working on details, but are “looking forward to a strong season.”

Danylu Hundley selling fresh zucchini at the Warren County Farmers Market/ Crystal Myrick/ The Warrenist

Farmers markets provide an excellent opportunity to meet local farmers, ask questions, and purchase directly from the source.

During the last season, one item in particular that became an instant fave was the Jimmy Red Grits from Bender Farms. His grits have not only reached homes near and far, but also made its way to the latest menu at Blue Jay Bistro in Littleton, NC.

Braised short rib nestled alongside a red corn grit croquette, anyone?

Heirloom Jimmy Red Grits from Bender Farms / : Danylu Hundley

Stop by the Warren County Farmers Market, which will be located in the Warren County Health Department parking lot (544 W. Ridgeway Street, Warrenton, NC 27589) and take pleasure in knowing you’re supporting our local farmers.

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