The short answer: We don’t know. We’ve tapped a few of our local sources, and production details seem to be under lock and key, but we’ve done some research to see how people have made it there in past seasons.
Win it in an auction
For the next few days, you can bid in an auction to win two VIP guest diner spots. We don’t know if this will take place in Charlotte or Greenville, but we do know it’s for the “Restaurant Wars” episode. At the time we’re typing this, the current bid is $13,500.
Know the right people
We know this isn’t the most helpful answer, but a Reddit thread hints that "...most of them are a secretive, invite-only type of thing.”
Stakeout at Whole Foods
According to Eater, "...the best place to stalk the cheftestants is usually your nearest Whole Foods, as the chefs shop there before most of the competitions.”
Apply to be a contestant
This option is reserved for chefs. Who do you think should apply? Let us know below.
“Happy Gilmore” Double Feature | 6 p.m. | Yee-haw Brewing Co. | Price of purchase | Swing into the weekend with “Happy Gilmore” + “Happy Gilmore 2" on the big screen as you take your best swing at the golf simulator and a closest to the pin contest.
Salsa at Sunset | 6:15-10 p.m. | Camperdown Plaza | Free | Enjoy live Latin music and free dance lessons under the stars.
Million Dollar Quartet | 8-10:30 p.m. | Centre Stage | $30+ | This Tony Award-nominated musical recreates the jam session in 1956 when Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley played together at Sun Records in Memphis.
Greenville Drive vs. Hub City Spartanburgers | 6:45 p.m. | Fluor Field | $8+ | Celebrate Christmas in July with Santa; he’s bringing elves, a snowball fight, presents, and more.*
Saturday, July 26
Liability Brewing and Westone Anniversary Block Party | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Liability Brewing Company | Free entry | Raise a glass to seven years of brews with all-day beer releases, live music, games, food, and family-friendly festivities.
Thrifted Finds Market | 12-5 p.m. | The Oxford Barber Company | Free entry | Score vintage gems and handmade treasures from 10+ curated vendors.
Greenville Margarita + Mimosa Fest | 2-8 p.m. | Ink N Ivy | $28 | It’s part bar hop + part summer cocktail celebration as you sip hand-crafted margaritas and mimosas.
Greer Farmers Market Summer Sundays | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Greer City Park, Greer | Free | Shop makers and bakers while you groove to live music and snack from a food truck.
Greenville Drive vs. Hub City Spartanburgers | 3:05 p.m. | Fluor Field | $8+ | First Responders Night returns with free tickets for all first responders, in-game recognitions, and more.*
The sports complex building will be 210,000 sqft. | Rendering by McMillan Pazdan Smith
Development
Greer City Council approved $7.94 million for site work on a new sports and events center at Highway 14 and South Buncombe Road. The 26-acre complex will feature eight courts + an auxiliary gym supporting basketball, volleyball, cheer tournaments, and travel league play.
Traffic
Construction is underway on the East North Street Gateway Project, adding wider sidewalks, landscaped buffers, and safer crossings near Academy Street and the entrance to downtown from I-385. Expect lane closures as crews work to improve walkability between downtown and the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. It’s expected to be done by the end of the year.
Closed
Angelina’s Restaurant in Fountain Inn has closed and a new restaurant is expected to take over the space under different ownership. (Upstate Business Journal)
Seasonal
We hope you grabbed your tickets for the Tomato Sandwich Taste-off at the Travelers Rest Farmers Market this weekend because the fan-favorite event is now sold out. Don’t worry — there’s plenty more tomatoes and mayo.Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer doesn’t sell out, and you can get a taste at participating restaurants until Sunday, July 27.
Listen
Help crown Greenville’s next stars by casting your vote in the Gimme the Gig Battle of the Bands contest. The winner scores a paid gig at Downtown Alive and studio time at Sit-n-Spin Studios. Voting ends Wednesday, July 31 at midnight.
Greenville Federal Credit Union is making it easy to plan a summer you’ll actually enjoy. Think: $8 baseball tickets, free yoga in the plaza, and discounted admission to local favorites like the Roper Mountain Science Center. Here’s how to have fun in the sun + stay on budget.*
Fact or Fiction
The color of your car impacts your car insurance rate. Fact or fiction? Luckily for Nicki Minaj, this is fiction. Still, rates can change for other reasons, so experts advise shopping around regularly. See if you could save with this quick questionnaire.*
Read
Tangle is a rare political newsletter that doesn’t take sides — it lays them out. Every day, it delivers balanced reporting on major political stories, minus the bias. Subscribe for free.*
Post of the Day
After a health scare earlier this summer, beloved Greenville dog + internet celebrity Teddy (of @aguyandagolden) is celebrating being cancer-free, and he’s already back to his same shenanigans.
Click the button below to read the Greenville Journal’s interview about the journey with Teddy’s owner, Johnathan Lower.
Amazon’s deals are still rolling, and we’re here for it. Shop more picks while the sales last:
📱 Shop 15% off a MagSafe portable charger that’s sleek, slim, and comes in light pink and lavender.
🍚 If you cook rice, oatmeal, or quinoa almost daily, Cosori’s 4.8-star rated grains cooker is 10% off for a limited time.
💺 Upgrade your home office chair for a high-back leather version while it’s 38% off.
📹 Snag 44% off a like-new Ring stick-up camera that can be installed inside or out.
📚 Get a like-new version of Kindle’s latest model, the Paperwhite, for 26% off.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
If my Hot Tomato Summer suggestions have been a bit too complex for you, my feature for today highlights the simplicity of what this week is all about. The Spinx Market is serving a classic tomato sandwich: white bread, Duke’s, tomato, and a little salt and pepper. It’s simple. It’s perfect. It’s summer in a bite.
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