Philip Bollhoefer (he/him) has been recognized for his menu creation and kitchen operation expertise and is a true champion of locally-sourced cuisine. Bollhoefer has developed several key partnerships with local farmers, volunteers for the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, and oversees our Chef’s Garden with the assistance of our friends and partners at Ivy Creek Farms. Bollhoefer has been working in professional kitchens since 2005, and is a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando.

@bkroeyr @curatetapasbar @labodegabycurate

Brittany Kroeyr-Brown (she/her) consults on menus and strategy alongside the Chefs de Cuisine at Cúrate Bar de Tapas and La Bodega by Cúrate, as well as recipe development for Cúrate at Home and special projects and events. She gained culinary and leadership skills in some of the nation’s most celebrated restaurant groups, including Grant Achatz’s The Alinea Group, Daniel Boulud’s Dinex, and Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group.

@sawhorse_avl

When Dan's (he/him) not in the kitchen flipping pancakes or making cheese curds, he's most likely either screaming at the television during a New York Rangers game, or fast asleep in his hammock. Sawhorse specializes in the hearty comfort food of Dan's roots in the Adirondack Mountains.

Chris Smith is a seed saver and permaculturist who loves to write. The Utopian Seed Project is crop-trialing non-profit working to celebrate food and farming. His book, The Whole Okra, won a James Beard Foundation Award in 2020 and he is the co-host of The Okra Pod Cast.

@foodordeath_ @goodhotfish

Ashleigh's (she/her) cuisine honors Black foodways while paying homage to her coastal Virginia upbringing. She honed her skills at restaurants ranging from Northern Italian to classic French but Southern Appalachian cuisine is her culinary love language. She was named a 2020 finalist for James Beard “Rising Star Chef of the Year” award during her tenure as Chef de Cuisine at Benne on Eagle in Asheville, NC. You can watch her put her skills to work on the most recent season of Bravo’s Top Chef Houston.

@yucayekefarms

Brandon Ruiz (he/him) is a Community Herbalist and Urban Farmer based in Charlotte, NC. He directs Yucayeke Farms, a community project based on providing affordable access to culturally-relevant herbalism and foods through local farming and educational resources. His focus is on Caribbean medicines and herbalism of the American South. He works with his community through providing educational material and food and herbs at affordable prices, collaborating with chefs and other creators to tell the stories of plants and the people who know them best.

On his family’s farm in Cleveland County, he grows high-quality produce and boutique ingredients. Before he farmed for a living, Swofford spent nearly two decades in kitchens. His love of food extends far and wide; a chef-turned-farmer, but foremost a North Carolina boy at heart.

12bonesbbq

What goes better with great BBQ than amazing beer? Iconic local BBQ institution 12 Bones expanded in 2019 with our very own brewery and taproom. Now you can visit the taproom and taste a variety of house-brewed beers to go with great Q.What goes better with great BBQ than amazing beer? Iconic local BBQ institution 12 Bones expanded in 2019 with our very own brewery and taproom. Now you can visit the taproom and taste a variety of house-brewed beers to go with great Q. beers to go with great Q. y

@blue_moon_water

Local Bottled Spring Water from the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC

@botanistandbarrel

Botanist & Barrel crafts real southern ciders, fruited sours, and wines. Focused on spontaneous, wild cultures and light-handed winemaking we embrace old world methods with modern sensibilities.

@cultivatedcocktailsdistillery

Since 2015, our family distillery has been crafting award-winning spirits and taking them one step further. Cultivated Cocktails blends legacy with innovation, art with science. We age our spirits with care, choice oaks and unique flavors. 

@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.

Visit for the views. Stay for the small bites and seasonally driven craft cocktails.

@oakandgrist

At the distillery, we leverage the power of everyday choices. To us, that means building relationships with local farmers and suppliers to create award-winning, truly local gin and whiskey. 

@plebavl

Loosely inspired by the Roman plebeian community who worshipped the gods of agriculture, fertility, and viticulture we too seek to represent cultivators past and present who brought grapes to glass – farmers, harvesters, winemakers.

@mountainvalleywater

We choose only the best coffees. Roast them to perfection. Our coffee is fresh, balanced, sweet and vibrant. We love what we do and do it with love. Environmentally conscious and ethically sourced to help out everyone along the way. 

@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

@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.

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Dixie Vodka is an independent, American-made craft spirit with roots in the New South renaissance. When you drink Dixie Vodka, think pride, hospitality, and craftsmanship.

At Hickory Nut Gap we value and respect the complex relationships between humans and nature. By using regenerative agriculture and ethical animal welfare practices, Hickory Nut Gap produces the highest-quality, best-tasting meats to ensure we all thrive from the ground up.