Cary Spotlight | Issue #556

Discover Academy Street Bistro, Cary’s MasterChef Junior Star, Celebrate the Beauty of Growing Things, Curb Kitten Crisis in Wake County

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

🧭 Discover Cary: Academy Street Bistro Review

📰 Cary’s MasterChef Junior Star Emerson Pauley Joins Marbles Kids Food Fest

📰 Cary’s Herbfest Invites All Ages to Celebrate the Beauty of Growing Things

📰 Program Aims to Curb Kitten Crisis in Wake County

😀 Meme of the Day

❤️ Thank You, Debbie!

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

📅 Lots Of Events This Week (The Week at a Glance)

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Question: What is the most stolen food in the world?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Today’s local event sponsor of Cary Spotlight.

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Credit: Academy Street Bistro

Academy Street Bistro Review

Academy Street Bistro is one of the eateries that was nominated by the Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Discover Cary series. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.

Academy Street Bistro in Cary, NC, offers a cozy yet refined dining experience, featuring globally inspired dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients and complemented by a curated selection of wines and craft cocktails.

Here are the results from our reader poll and readers feedback (see below). Check out their menu on their website: Academy Street Bistro

Address: 200 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511 | Directions 

Reader Poll Results

Academy Street Bistro (30 Votes)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Love this place! (22)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😊😊😊 I have never been there but I might give it a try (8)

Cary Spotlight Reader’s Feedback:

“Great food and service…”

“The owner Joe, The Wait staff and Bartenders and the mussels!!”

“Food & service are fabulous!!!!”

“Great location Very interesting menu Never had anything I didn’t love.”

“Love it here - the mussels in white wine sauce are the best!”

“It’s an intimate atmosphere with personalized service and delicious food. Academy Street Bistro is an awesome dining experience! ”

Academy Street Bistro

Click to share 3 things you love about this place or recommend an item people should try on their menu.

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Wanna Recommend a Place
to eat in Cary, NC?

We want to hear about it! Cary Spotlight readers are always on the lookout for delicious local gems, and your recommendation could be the next must-try spot in town. Whether it’s a cozy café or a brand-new restaurant with flavors worth sharing, let us know!

Share your favorite finds and help fellow food lovers explore the Cary’s dining scene.

Cary’s MasterChef Junior Star Emerson Pauley Joins Marbles Kids Food Fest

Credit: Emerson Pauley

Cary’s own Emerson Pauley, a MasterChef Junior contestant, will appear May 3–4 at the Creative Kitchen Kids Food Fest at Marbles Kids Museum. He’ll demo his signature salmon + couscous dish and lead a Yogurt Parfait Party. The event features hands-on food fun, cooking demos, and interactive activities for kids and families.

At just 11 years old, Emerson from Cary is already making waves in the culinary world. This weekend, the MasterChef Junior standout brings his talent and infectious energy to the Creative Kitchen Kids Food Fest at Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh. The two-day event, held May 3–4, blends food, fun, and learning in a hands-on celebration of healthy eating and creative play.

Emerson will take the stage both Saturday and Sunday to demonstrate the salmon and couscous dish that helped him impress judges on national television. On Sunday, he’ll also lead a Yogurt Parfait Party, inviting kids to build their own nutritious, colorful treats.

The festival features free interactive experiences, cooking demos, community exhibits, and live entertainment—plus a Balanced Plate Scavenger Hunt where kids can win goody bags while learning about smart food choices. It’s a weekend of flavor and inspiration, led in part by one of Cary’s most promising young talents.

Are you planning to attend the Creative Kitchen Kids Food Fest this weekend?

Click to cast your vote

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Cary’s Herbfest Invites All Ages to Celebrate the Beauty of Growing Things

Credit: Town of Cary

On Sunday, May 4, Cary’s Page-Walker Arts and History Center will host Herbfest, a community celebration of gardening, herbs, and spring renewal. Running from noon to 4 p.m., the event invites visitors to explore pollinator gardens, browse booths filled with perennials, herbs, and artisan goods, and take part in educational sessions on cooking, gardening, and herbal wellness.

Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or simply herb-curious, the Anne B. Kratzer Educational Garden promises insights and inspiration for gardeners of all ages.

The festival offers a full afternoon of family-friendly activities, including hands-on crafts for kids, a bake sale fundraiser, and barbecue fare from Corner Boys BBQ.

The highlight of the event is a butterfly release scheduled for 2:30 p.m., symbolizing growth and transformation as the community welcomes another spring season together. Hosted in the heart of Cary’s historic district, Herbfest blends tradition and discovery in a celebration of all things green and growing. Learn more

Are you planning on going to this local event?

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Program Aims to Curb Kitten Crisis in Wake County

First outdoor day.

Every spring, shelters and rescue organizations across Wake County face a familiar challenge: a dramatic rise in kittens needing homes. With limited foster care and overflowing shelters, many are left vulnerable.

The Kitty Clip Program, launched by the Friends of Wake County Animal Center, steps in with a simple but effective solution—spaying or neutering cats for just $15. That low fee helps both owned and unowned cats, including ferals and strays, reducing the number of unwanted litters before they ever arrive at the shelter doors.

Beyond easing capacity strain, the program has a long-term impact. By lowering the local euthanasia rate and preventing health risks tied to overpopulation, Kitty Clip improves outcomes not just for cats, but for the entire community. Pet owners can sign up through friendsofwakeanimals.org, or by searching “$15 Kitty Clip Program” online. Donations are always welcome to keep this lifesaving program running strong.

Just curious…

How do you support feline welfare in our community?

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Meme/Thought of the Day.
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Meme-o-meter

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Thank You, Debbie!

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Upcoming Local Events

Looking ahead to events happening in Cary, NC for the rest of the week.
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information.

May 1st (Thursday)

May 2nd (Friday)

May 3rd (Saturday)

May 4th (Sunday)

May 5th (Monday)

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇

Cheese holds the unusual title of being the most stolen food in the world. According to global retail studies, about 4% of all cheese produced ends up being stolen—more than any other food item. Its high value, small size, and popularity make it an easy and tempting target for shoplifters. From gourmet wedges to blocks of cheddar, cheese theft is surprisingly common in supermarkets around the globe.