Over the last three weeks, all the major grocery chains in the Triangle have had huge sales on chicken. And the good deals continue.

This week, Harris Teeter has split chicken breasts on sale for 99 cents per pound and Food Lion has a sale on drumsticks and thighs for just 79 cents per pound.

At a dollar per pound or less, it's a good time to stock up, purchasing enough to feed your family until the next big sale rolls around.

Even if you're like me and have limited storage space, you can still take advantage of these stock-up sales by setting aside a few hours to do some batch cooking or freeze-ahead cooking.

Check out this FOUR-STAR review from Greg Cox of Venable Rotisserie Bistro in Carr Mill Mall.

So my first question to Austin Williams was this: "How did you become interested in jerk sauce?"

His response was something like: "Because I'm a washed up white guy from the suburbs?"

Williams, 36, of Raleigh, pleads the fifth about whether he's ever been to Jamaica. But he explains that he became obsessed with this Jamaican cooking tradition while exploring the Jamaican restaurants while living in Atlanta. After moving back to North Carolina, he tried to make his own version of this fiery marinade using the three key ingredients: thyme, all spice and Scotch bonnet peppers. During his one of many attempts, Williams, a commercial real estate developer, substituted pineapple for the traditional scallions.

"That's the day the Shizzle was born," Williams says.

Williams' marinade was so popular with his friends that he went into business with one of his addicted friends, Darryl Hemminger. They began making The Shizzle Jerk Marinade commercially two years ago. Since then, they have gotten onto the shelves at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, NoFo at the Pig in Raleigh and the Triangle stores of Whole Foods, The Fresh Market and The Meat House.

Last fall, their Voodoo Hot version won the barbecue sauce category at the annual North Carolina hot sauce contest in Oxford.

About this culinary-quest-turned-business, Williams says: "It's been so much fun. I've been busier than I've ever been in my life. It's hard but the product has traction beyond my control."

A 14-ounce jar costs $6.99. For more information, go to http://theshizzlesauce.com/
 

Chick-fil-A is giving away thousands of free breakfasts this month -- free for the asking.

All you have to do is reserve yourself a spot and an entree by clicking here.

You have your choice of any Thursday in April. Then pick any of Chick-fil-A's breakfast entrees.

But don't procrastinate on this one. It's going fast.

A quick check of the main reservations page here showed the new Chick-fil-A in Raleigh's Cameron Village is already booked.

Don't forget to tell your friends and families. This freebie is available at Triangle restaurants but also in Rocky Mount, Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Greenville, Henderson, Jacksonville, Kinston, Morehead City, New Bern, Roanoke Rapids, Sanford, Smithfield, Southern Pines, Winterville and Wilson.

Whole Foods has got an outstanding sale this Friday on organic whole chickens: $1.99 per pound.

The one-day-only sale is on fresh certified organic whole chickens.

Limit 10 chickens per customer.

Here's your friendly reminder:

Panda Express is celebrating the Chinese New Year today by giving you a free entree -- no purchase necessary.

Panda Express is celebrating the Chinese New Year by giving you a free entree -- no purchase necessary.

Go to the Panda Express website to download a coupon for a free single-serving Firecracker Chicken Breast entree.

The coupon is good only on Monday, Jan. 23.

Two other coupons will also print with your freebie -- one for a BOGO entree and one for 10 percent off your total purchase. Both of those coupons are good Jan. 24 through Feb. 14.

There are two Panda Express locations in the Triangle:

1000 Beaver Creek Commons Dr.
Beaver Creek shopping center
Apex, NC  27502

120 Science Drive
(Duke University Bryan Center)
Durham, NC  27708

There are certain dishes that I never grow tired of and chicken and rice is one of them.

It sounds like damning with faint praise to call something the most brilliant commercial of the year. And yet I really, truly do find this to be quite brilliant.

(Thanks, Matt.)

Eat your Carrots!