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🔪 Local on ‘Top Chef’
Watch Durham’s Oscar Diaz as he takes the “Top Chef” stage. | Photos via NBC + 6AM City
Durham’s Oscar Diaz is one of 15 “cheftestants” on the newest season of “Top Chef,”and he’s got a homefield advantage. Our friends at GVLtoday + CLTtoday got to speak with Diaz at the show’s Charlotte premiere about representing the Triangle and his favorite local spots.
“I’m excited for everyone to see North Carolina being brought up,” Diaz told GVLtoday + 6AM City at the season 23 premiere. “Having not been from the South, I know sometimes it gets skipped over. We’re just as multicultural and a melting pot as any other part of the country.”
The first episode is available now on Peacock before its Monday, March 9 premiere on Bravo, but you’ll have to wait for March 16 for episode two. Go Oscar!
Designed to support wellness, fitness, recovery, longevity, and community, this stunning new facility is a true all-in-one destination for building a healthier you (and perfecting your pickleball serve).
➡️ What to expect
Look forward to a comprehensive suite of amenities and services, including:
Best-in-class strength and cardio equipment, free weights, and functional training spaces
Boutique studios offering small- and large group barre, cycle, Pilates, yoga, and more
Integrated recovery with chiropractic care, cold therapy chairs, whole-body compression technology, and even nutrition coaching
Nine indoor and outdoor pickleball courts featuring open play, lessons, clinics, and leagues
Restort-style outdoor pool deck with waterslides, cabanas, lap pools, and a dedicated dining area
Kids Academy for active play for little ones
Plus so, so much more.
Interested in joining? Find membership info and full facility details below.
What are you most excited about at the new Life Time Alston Town Center?
A. All my favorite boutique-style classes in one place B. Up to 2.5 hours of daily onsite childcare C. Cold plunge, sauna, and all the luxe recovery vibes D. Breaking a sweat on the pickleball court, then cooling off in the resort-style pools E. Spacious workout floor with state-of-the-art equipment
Many results from Tuesday’s primary election are in, including key spots on Raleigh City Council. Look through the results. (INDY Week)
Closed
After a few short months, Barley and Burger has closed its new Hillsborough Street location in the former David’s Dumplings spot. Barley and Burger still has three NC locations, and the building is now up for rent next to Players Retreat. (Triangle Business Journal)
Weather
Fool’s spring is here. Raleigh might see temps in the low 80s this Friday + Saturday, but cold weather isn’t out of the forecast yet. Soak up the sun at one of Raleigh’s many parks this weekend before another winter — or worse, the Pollening — comes to Raleigh. (The News & Observer)
Legacy
Philanthropist + art collector Iris Cantor died in February, and she was the generous donor of 30 Auguste Rodin sculptures to the NC Musuem of Art, valued at $25 million. In fact, you might recognize her and her husband from the museum’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Court and Garden. (The New York Times)
Environment
Sunday is International Women’s Day, and Hartwell + The Great Raleigh Cleanup are teaming up for a Hot Girl Clean-Up for a women-led litter pickup. Plus, they’ll be collecting donations for InterAct of Wake County. Sign up now.
Try This
There’s a new Mediterranean spot in City Plaza. Pita Bowl is now open, and to celebrate their grand opening, you can get a full meal for just $13. Try it for yourself.(Raleigh Downtown)
Giveaway
Shop small to win big with the second annual Explore Downtown Raleigh Giveaway. Through tomorrow, March 6, share your proof of purchase at any Downtown RAL small biz (including your local coffee shop) for a chance to win up to $250 in gift cards.*
Health
ReadyRx pairs GLP-1 treatment with structure: physician oversight, lifestyle guidance, and support designed for follow-through. If your BMI is 27+, you may qualify for 24/7 medical access and program support. Check your eligibility and save $100 as a new patient with code HEALTH100.*
Category
🛍️ Support small business
Support the local economy during DTR Retail Week — like at Edge of Urge. | Photo by RALtoday
Raleighites are so good at supporting local that the Milken Institute named us the No. 5 best-performing city for business in 2026. In honor of our many movers and shakers, we’re asking readers to nominate small businesses they love so we can share them with the whole audience.
We’ll be here to share a new batch of small businesses every month, so you’ll want to come back for more, especially if you’ve enjoyed our Small Business Week and Today’s Best coverage.
Editor Allie’s picks
Sound Off Records & Hi-Fi | Music
This woman-owned used music store is a lot of fun, and I love bringing in my less-loved vinyl and trading it in for new-to-me records. They even offer turntable repairs if your player has seen better days.
Five viral products that are actually worth paying attention to:
🛍️ A popular swap for claw clips: these flat hair clips for better comfortability and all-day wear.
🛍️ Owala’s best-selling water bottles, now available in exclusive prints + patterns from Urban Outfitters. Or, you can never go wrong with one of the classic color combos.
🛍️ This practical long-handle wall cleaner easily goes from cleaning baseboards to high areas — no step ladder required.
🛍️ A pair of cloud slides with an ultra-cushioned sole and sleek, durable design.
🛍️ Kasa’s smart lightbulbs that have 16+ million color options + can be controlled from anywhere using a free app.
It’s nearly blockbuster season, and I can’t recommend enough watching this year’s biggest movies at Marbles IMAX, Raleigh’s biggest screen. This weekend is “Hoppers” and “The Bride.” “Project Hail Mary,” my current audiobook and most-anticipated movie, is just around the corner.
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