Oh man, my food journey's been quite the ride. As a kid, I hated anything green and lived on a steady diet of PB&Js and cheeseburgers. Fast forward to now, and it's a whole different story. I've broadened my palate and really enjoy a wide range of foods. My seven-year-old self would be appalled. 

What is Billy Bites Back (@billybitesback)?
I'm a local guy—grew up down the road in Madison. My wife and I set roots in Hendersonville over two decades ago when we started our family. We've watched this place transform, especially in the last ten years. Along with the growth, we've seen a pretty awesome food scene emerge. We're foodies at heart, but 2020 had other plans for everyone, right? We couldn't hit up our favorite local spots because of the lockdown, so I turned to my own kitchen.

I've always liked cooking, but that year it became more than just a way to fill the time. I started sharing my culinary adventures on Instagram, just for kicks. Didn't expect it to be a big deal, but here we are—my little hobby's turned into something more, and there’s a growing community of fellow food-lovers following along.

Beets. They’re vile and disgusting and I can’t stand them. Could there be some childhood trauma to blame? Possibly. But trust me, no amount of therapy or culinary wizardry could ever make beets taste good to me. They're a hard pass in my book.

Ah, the "favorites" question. I'm not a fan of picking favorites—it's like choosing your favorite kid, ya know? But if you really press me, I guess I'd say pizza. I mean, who gets tired of pizza? I could eat it every day and still crave it.

That being said, I've been on a bit of a Japanese food kick for the last several months. So much so that I recently collaborated with a local pizza place to create a Japanese-inspired pie; the Miso Chili Crisp. It was a killer combo of two things I love, and it was a blast to experiment. So yeah, pizza and Japanese cuisine are definitely high on my list right now.

Supporting locally-owned restaurants is a win-win. You get unique, often high-quality food, and your money stays in the community. Local joints often source from nearby farms, too, so you're helping multiple local businesses. Plus, it fosters a sense of community and makes our town a better, more diverse place to live. So next time you eat out, BeLocal! 

I'm in the midst of developing a podcast that dives deep into the local restaurant scene, spotlighting foodies and social media influencers who are shaping culinary trends in the area. While I can't spill all the beans just yet, let's just say I have high hopes for it making waves. Keep an ear out; this could be a game-changer for how we talk about food and community.