By Claudia Watson

Special to The Pilot

Do you want the ultimate guide to the one of the hottest food scenes in the country - the Triangle?

Be sure to pick up a copy of "Food Lovers' Guide to Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill," by Johanna Kramer. It provides the inside scoop on the best places to find, enjoy and celebrate local culinary offerings.

The Triangle, recognized for its culinary creativity, has become a mecca for foodies, says Johanna Kramer, who will be at Elliott's on Linden to sign her book on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Engagingly written, this book is a one-stop compendium for Triangle residents and visitors alike to find producers and purveyors of tasty local specialties, as well as a rich array of other, indispensable food-related information.

The book arrives just in time for the holidays (making it a great stocking stuffer) and helps those who enjoy road trips to Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill discover the best the area has to offer in the way of food.

What's more, the book also includes a section titled "Road Trips," which recommends wonderful places to eat a bit closer to home, including Elliott's on Linden, the only Moore County restaurant included in the book.

Kramer's road trips also take the culinary curious to delightful Southern towns including Pittsboro, Saxapahaw, Wilson and Kinston, which offer eateries with the creative flair and commitment to the local farmers.

For those who enjoy cooking at home, there are cooking school recommendations, many of which offer short courses - an evening or half-day - to brush up on a particular skill (like braising) or to learn about how to plan and prepare a regional menu.

If variety is the spice of your life, Kramer cites several popular food tours - generally walking tours that take in a two- to three-mile radius on foot. These tours feature a concentrated look at restaurants and specialty shops where you can meet the chef and sample the wares, while you walk off the calories.

In addition, she offers her picks for annual foodie events and festivals, popular food trucks and profiles of foodie faves, landmarks, barbecue joints, brewpubs and microbreweries, and specialty stores.

Some of the best known chefs in the region offer their recipes featuring local flavors such as eastern Carolina corned ham, butternut squash ravioli, goat cheese polenta and buttermilk pie - all just in time to plan your holiday buffet.

Johanna Kramer is a North Carolina-based freelance writer who specializes in writing about food and food-related events through her popular blog, Durhamfoodie.

She writes for magazines such as SavorNC and Edible Piedmont. She also hosts special events and develops business opportunities for Edible Piedmont, a member of the Edible Communities Publications, the recipient of the 2011 James Beard Award for Publication of the Year.

Claudia Watson is a Pinehurst freelance writer. She may be reached at cwatson87 @nc.rr.com.