LEXINGTON — As if having 17 barbecue restaurants weren’t enough, uptown Lexington will be smokin’ with the scent of barbecue when teams from all over the country converge April 25-26 for the 4th Annual BBQ Capital Cook-Off.
The competition is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Teams will set up that Friday night at 6 and the festivities continue through the next evening, ending at 8 p.m.
Last year’s cook-off was won by Two Old Men and a Grill from Bessemer City.
While the teams serve up their best ribs, chicken, brisket and pork, you can sample all sorts of other treats from local and regional barbecue eateries. Other activities include beer tasting, beer vendors and regional and national bands, plus activities for kids.
For more information, call 336-249-0383 or visit www.UptownLexington.com.

UNC Nutrition Research Institute to present seminars
KANNAPOLIS — The UNC-Chapel Hill Nutrition Research Institute will present several nutrition-science seminars in April.
The seminars will take place Tuesdays beginning today. There will be no session April 15 due to the spring holiday. They’ll be 7-8:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the David H. Murdock Core Laboratory Building, 201 N. Main St. at the N.C. Research Campus.
The series is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and registration is required. Register at uncnri.org/appetite_form.asp or call 704-250-5000. The seminars also will be webcast at uncnri.org/webcast .
The seminars are:
• April 1 — “Uric Acid: A new Look at an Old Risk Factor for Gout and Cardio-renal Disease,” by Dr. Saroja Voruganti.
• April 8 — “This is Your Brain on Sugar!” by Dr. Kyle Burger
• April 22 — “Berries and Brain: Partners in Life and Longevity,” with Dr. Carol Cheatham and Kelly Sheppard.
It’s Habitat chicken day
Habitat for Humanity of Rowan County is holding its barbecue chicken fundraiser at the Salisbury Civic Center today. More than 5,000 meals will be available for sale. Dinners will be served from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
You can eat at the Civic Center or pick up meals at the drive-through. The cost of a meal is $8 and includes half a chicken, slaw, potato salad, dessert and a roll. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to build Habitat houses in Rowan County for families in need.
‘Sous Chef’
Ever wonder what goes on behind the swinging doors of a restaurant kitchen? In “Sous Chef,” Chef Michael Gibney uses 24 hours to animate the camaraderie and culinary choreography in an upscale New York restaurant.
“Sous Chef” is an immersive, adrenaline-fueled story that offers a fly-on-the-wall perspective . The account provides regular diners and food enthusiasts a detailed insider’s perspective, while offering fledgling professional cooks an honest picture of what the future holds, ultimately giving voice to the hard work and dedication around which chefs have built their careers.
“Kitchen Confidential” author Anthony Bourdain, calls “Sous Chef” a “terrific nuts-and-bolts account of the real business of cooking as told from the trenches. No nonsense. This is what it takes.”