It's a sad day. I thought for sure we'd have some of these food and beverage professionals in North Carolina make the final list.

But it is an honor to be nominated. So here were our contenders:

• Sean Lilly Wilson, Fullsteam Brewery in Durham and Eric Solomon of Eric Solomon Selections European Cellars in Charlotte for outstanding wine and spirits professional.
• Katie Button of Cúrate in Asheville for Rising Star Chef.
• And among those considered for Best Chef Southeast: Ashley Christensen of Poole's in Raleigh; John Fleer of Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley in Cashiers; Vivian Howard of Chef & the Farmer in Kinston; Scott Howell of Nana's in Durham; and Aaron Vandemark of Panciuto in Hillsborough. 
• Magnolia Grill in Durham for Outstanding Restaurant.

The James Beard awards are considered the Oscars of the food world. Only three North Carolina chefs have received James Beard awards: Ben Barker and Karen Barker at Magnolia Grill and Andrea Reusing of Lantern in Chapel Hill.

 The winners will be announced May 7 at a gala in New York City.

Enjoy a homemade piroghi, kolach roll and stollen and browse the array of new and vintage European holiday linens, Polish pottery and vintage ornaments at the fourth annual European Christmas Market sponsored by Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Cary.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.

Eat in or take out a lunch of cabbage rolls or chicken paprikash. Vendors include Annelore's German Bakery, Swedebreads Swedish Bakery and Polenz Polish/Euro Deli.

Visit the church website for more information.

Whole Foods Market Raleigh invites customers to help feed families in need throughout the Triangle this holiday season.

Customers may donate breakfast, lunch, dinner or three square meals for a family of four to the Interfaith Food Shuttle, which will distribute the food to families across Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

The campaign began today and runs through New Year's Eve at Whole Foods' store at 3540 Wade Ave.

Win an elaborately decorated gingerbread house crafted by an area chef or other items at a  silent auction during the ninth annual gingerbread benefit for Triangle Family Services.

One of the region's premier fine dining destinations has received its first five-star rating from the 2012 Forbes Travel Guide.

Raleigh's beloved Pullen Park reopens Saturday, and along with it comes Pullen Place, a new cafe.  A collaboration among Holly Taylor, Sarig Agasi (co-owner and exec chef at Zely & Ritz) and Steve Mangano, the cafe will serve not only the usual concession food (popcorn, hamburgers and such) but also from-scratch macaroni and cheese, a Vietnamese  bahn mi sandwich and seasonal soups and salads. The owners pledge to use locally produced and often organic products.

Jibarra Modern Mexican has a new executive chef, Oscar Diaz, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Las Vegas. His new seasonal menu blends Mexican tradition with contemporary sensibility. For instance? Cranberry-pomegranate guacamole; steak tartare with house-pickled jalapenos and spicy pumpkin chips; duck confit salad, with mole vinaigrette.

Jibarra is in the Historic Depot Building in downtown Raleigh; it's open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch Tuesday through Sunday. More on the menu at jibarra.net.  Reservations through Open Table or 755-0556.

Neomonde will open its third Mediterranean/Lebanese eatery in the Triangle in December.

The new Neomonde cafe and market will open at the Harvest Plaza shopping center, at Strickland and Six Forks roads in North Raleigh.

Known for its fresh breads and foods, the company already operates a cafe and market at 3817 Beryl Road in Raleigh and at 10235 Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville. Their bakery in Morrisville supplies breads to restaurants and groceries across the Southeast.

The company is marking its 35th anniversary.

Elaine’s On Franklin in downtown Chapel Hill will celebrate its 12th anniversary Sunday with a dinner that pairs food by chef/owner Bret Jennings with wines chosen by importer Danny Haas. Pairings range from a starter of oysters rockefeller, Celebrity Dairy goat cheese-stuffed mushrooms and crabcakes, served with a 2010 Delaporte Sancerre to a beef course of shredded Piedmontese beef cheek with caramelized onions accompanied by two vintages of Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape. It's $100 per person, starts at 6. Details: elainesonfranklin.com. Reservations: 919-960-2770.

Atlanta-based chef Hugh Acheson (seen recently on judging sweets on "Top Chef: Just Desserts") will be in the spotlight at Fearrington Village next week as part of its new Culinary Arts & Letters series. The occasion: Publication of his cookbook, "A Turn in the New South."  

The event begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, with cocktails at McIntyre's Books, then adjourns next door to The Granary for a four-course dinner. The menu, inspired by the book, includes roasted carrot and beet salad; a new take on Frogmore Stew; braised quail; and pear and pecan flip cake.

Price, which includes wine pairings, tax and tip, is $100 for one, $185 for two. Oh, and you get a signed copy of the cookbook. 

Fewer than 10 seats remain; rsvp here.