@thaipearl_restaurant

Chef May (she/her) was born in North Eastern Thailand and cooking was a way to improve her life. She trained at the Royal Academy in Bangkok and cooked at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, and worked along side a Michelin star chef in Queensland, Australia, cooking high end cuisine. She moved to the US and opened a restaurant with her husband in Asheville, NC in 2020.

@bunintendedavl

Erica (she/her) has over 25 years of experience as a chef. Bun Intended was founded in 2016 by four friends with a common goal: to serve the best homemade Thai street food. Our menu’s inspiration comes from Isan region of Thailand, where Chef Erica’s parents met and began the family tradition of cooking – we are honored to continue that tradition here in Asheville. Everything we cook is homemade, we always serve locally sourced ingredients, and we guarantee an excellent customer experience.

I grew up in Kyoto, Japan. I came to Asheville in the spring of 2018 and opened WAKUWAKU Eatery. In addition to the well-known Japanese food in the United States, I wanted to introduce Japanese home-style food that my mother and grandmother always cooked for our family.

Chef. Writer. Outdoorsman. I am obsessed with food. I moved to WNC in 2007. My career choice has always been more than just a job. It has consumed me. I enjoy making people happy.

Phillips was born in Lebanon and immigrated to the US in the 1988. The once-aspiring food and travel show host turned restaurateur revitalized the food truck scene in Asheville and has opened two wildly successful brick & mortar food destinations.

@kentekitchenmarket

In 2014 Kente Kitchen was born bringing West African flavors to Asheville's Goombay Festival. Young (she/her) has a passion for the food that was taught to her by her late fiancés' mother, sisters, aunties and his Liberian community. She wanted to continue this love affair and passion for West African food and his memory by expanding her business to also include catering, community efforts to teach and feed kids healthy meals and now in 2022 Kente Kitchen has transformed into Kente Kitchen Market, an E-Commerce grocery store of West African food products.

@meherwanirani @chaipani @spicewalla

Irani (he/him) is a chef and restaurateur changing the perception of Indian food in America through his growing restaurant and spice empire in the South’s most essential culinary cities. With five James Beard Award nominations for Best Chef in the Southeast, his restaurants have been written up in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, GQ, Food & Wine, Men's Health, USA Today, and Bon Appétit, among others. He accredits his business success to the amazing people he works with each day, including his business partner and wife, Molly.

@devilsfootbrew

Farm-To-Can Craft Soda. We pride ourselves on working with Organic Roots & Fruits to create a healthier, more flavorful non-alcoholic experience for everyone in our communities.

@thetimes_cocktailbar

The Times Bar is a craft cocktail bar and coffee shop nestled in the heart of downtown Asheville, located in the historic S&W Cafeteria building. The team here specializes in both seasonally inspired + classic cocktails, craft coffees, and offers rotating local beer + import wine.

@newbelgium_avl

We were born on a bike. The rest is history. For almost 30 years we have crafted beers while proving that business can be a force for good.

@mountainvalleywater

Glass Revolution is an importer specializing in world class spirits from independent distilleries. Glass Revolution has been recognized as “Whisky Importer of the Year” for 2013, 2014 and 2015 by Whisky Magazine’s Icons of America Whisky. 
 

@beamsuntory

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory is inspiring human connections. With a vision of Growing for Good, we're driving growth through quality craftsmanship, consumer connections and entrepreneurial spirit.

@pernodricardusa

Burial’s mission is to innovate and elevate with intention in the craft beverage and hospitality industries. Embracing an intentional, revivalist approach, we infuse our brands, products and experiences with storylines that celebrate artistry, history, and a reverence for quality.

@chemistspirits

Founded by Debbie Word, Chemist Gin was born from a small family still and many hours of moonshining. Their unique appreciation for classic distilling and modern science led to the creation of their first spirit - a beautiful gin made with American botanicals and distilled wheat spirit.

@edarhynedistillingco

Eda Rhyne Distillery is dedicated to producing exceptional small batch spirits that capture the creative, hardworking spirit of Southern Appalachia. We source local heirloom corn, grains and botanicals that give a uniquely North Carolina flavor to our spirits. 

@gingersrev

Ginger's Revenge is dedicated to producing exciting and creative craft beverages from sustainably sourced ingredients, and is one of only a handful of breweries in the country that specializes in alcoholic ginger beers.

@ketelonebotanical

Vodka distilled with real botanicals and infused with natural fruit essences. Like you, we care about what’s in the bottle, so we use real ingredients – with no sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no artificial flavors.