Get to Know Foster's Market

With a vision to open a gourmet food market, Sara Foster, chef and cookbook author, opened Foster’s Market in May of 1990 to introduce great seasonal prepared food to eat in or take out, specialty grocery items, locally roasted coffee and select wines. 

Originally not intended to be “dine-in,” there were only a few select tables with mismatched chairs that Sara discovered at yard sales and flea markets.  As popularity of the market grew, so did the need for seating.  Sara soon decided to replace some of the grocery shelves with more funky tables and chairs.  Customers were not only coming to Foster’s for the great food, but for the inviting atmosphere.

In September of 1998, Foster’s Market of Chapel Hill opened its doors with the same high standards and comfortable atmosphere.  The great food and inviting atmosphere makes Foster’s Market a great gathering place for all – professionals, students, moms, dads, children, seniors, singles and couples – to enjoy. 

Sara Foster, Respected Culinary Expert

One of the country’s most beloved and respected experts on simple, honest food, Sara’s relaxed approach to food and cooking has brought much success to her career.  Sara Foster is:

  • Owner of two gourmet food market-cafes - Foster’s Market
  • Author of the much-revered, The Foster’s Market Cookbook: Favorite Recipes for Morning, Noon and Night (Random House Publishing, Oct. 2002), where Sara shares more than 200 recipes from Foster’s
  • Author of the highly-anticipated, Fresh Every Day: More Great Recipes from Foster’s Market (Clarkson Potter, May 2005), Sara shares her tips, tricks and shortcuts for preparing home-cooked meals with comfort and ease
  • Regular guest chef for Viking and Williams-Sonoma
  • Contributing food editor for leading shelter publication Cottage Living

National Attention

Through her authentic and flavorful cooking style, Sara shares more than a recipe.  She encourages home cooks to use all of their senses.  Sara has appeared on and been featured in the following television shows and publications:

Cottage Living
NBC’s Today Show
From Martha’s Kitchen
New York Times
Turner South’s Home Plate
NPR
PBS
QVC

Foster’s Market – Making a Dream a Reality

To pursue her dream of opening a gourmet food market-cafe, Sara and husband Peter Sellers moved to Durham, North Carolina, in 1990 and opened Foster’s Market.

Foster’s Market of Chapel Hill, NC
Opening Date: September 1998
Seating: 50-85 Inside
20-30 Outside
Catering: 919-967-4383
  • Each market location offers catering services
  • In 2000, Foster’s market launched a private-label product line including:
    • Seven Pepper Jelly
    • Foster’s Market Backyard BBQ Sauce
    • Foster’s Market Applesauce

Awards and Achievements

  • Sara Foster and Mission Foods have teamed up to promote Sara's new cookbook, Sara Foster's Casual Cooking. Download the Press Release
  • Sara Foster's Peanut Butter cookie recipe featured in the Miami Herald
  • The Foster’s Market Cookbook - 2003 Southeast Booksellers Association Cookbook of the Year
  • The Foster’s Market Cookbook – selected as a Top Four cookbook by The Cookbook Source in 2002
  • Foster’s Market of Durham, NC - 1994 Small Business of the Year Award
  • Foster’s Market – 2003 Best Lunch Spot in the Triangle by CitySearch.com
  • Foster’s Market – 2005 Best Take-Out by CitySearch.com
  • Sara Foster – keynote speaker for The James Beard House Brunch in November 2002

Photography Credits

  • Quentin Bacon: for more information visit Quentin's website

  • James Baigrie: for more information visit James' website
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