@jchong_eats

J (she/her) is originally from Toronto, and calls Asheville, NC home. J is passionate about bringing Cantonese food to WNC. She sells dumplings and sauces at local farmers markets, leads cooking classes and offers private dinners. J believes that food is medicine and food brings people together. J is a proud and vocal Asian queer activist for LGBTQ+, BIPOC and AAPI people and continues to use her voice to fight against racial injustice. She serves on the boards for Campaign for Southern Equality and Asheville Strong.

@smokypark @baileycooks

Michelle Bailey (she/they) was born in Memphis, TN, and has called WNC home for the past 22 years. Bailey is a master of wood-fired cooking and has a passion for sourcing ingredients from local farmers and foragers. She is currently most inspired by cooking with live fire, networking with local food vendors and encouraging aspiring chefs to hone their craft. At Smoky Park Supper Club, they lead a small, passionate team who are dedicated to good, local food and bringing people together. 

@chefttlivinandlovin @theclarksdale

A tour de force and a force for change, Chef Terrell (she/her) has run the gamut from executive chef for the American Le Mans Race Car Series to owning her own restaurants & catering company. She ventures to spread her message and engage others with her own unique story through freelance chef projects and her critically acclaimed ‘The Clarksdale’ pop up dinner series. Terrell’s passion is to nurture and support her peers in crafting a future that celebrates and facilitates all the talented voices that make up the Asheville culinary scene.

@harriettstomato @michelegentillefoodstylist

Gentille (she/her) studied at La Varenne Culinary School in France, and worked with culinary author Anne Willan. She worked as a chef in LA with Gai Klass Catering, and on film productions. In New York she wrote for the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. She worked as a chef for the US Antarctic Program. Michele tends her acre of land in Asheville and grows vegetables, herbs and flowers that she uses in private chef events and foodstyling shoots and does brunch popups with the @ladies.who.brunch.popup and creates her own Queen Mum High Tea pop-ups.

@gospel.avl

Born and raised in Israel, Disco’s coming-of-age happened at the same time the local food scene was starting to boom, and artisanal food took over the country by storm. Disco (he/him) is a small-scale ice cream maker, who believes that food is one of life’s greatest joys. With the help of Mountain BizWorks, he started Gospel Ice Cream: a small-batch artisanal ice cream company that focuses on unique flavors, local, and high-quality ingredients. His mission: to spread The Gospel of Good Food.

@layeredbylex

Alexis “Lex” Walton (she/her) is a NC native pastry chef who specializes in custom wedding cakes and dessert bars. Her business Layered by Lex was established in 2016. After graduating from AB Tech’s Baking & Pastry Program Lex spent three years apprenticing on the Biltmore Estate which is where she found her passion and love for weddings. She started her custom cake company in 2016 as a side business and has been caking full time since 2020! Lex is an all inclusive baker and a proud member of the LGBTQ+

@appliedanatomist

Magazine (he/him) is a native New Yorker, but spent the last several years becoming a devout Appalachian. An educator, dancer by training, butcher by trade, and homesteader by permacultural necessity. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Dance from Skidmore College, completed his Permaculture Design Course at Earthaven Ecovillage, and trained in whole animal butchery at Fleisher’s in Brooklyn. He now resides on the homestead and educational farm,Wonderland Hollow in WNC. Andrew has a hunger to learn and share all things about applied anatomy.

@ashevilledragbrunch

Asheville Drag Brunch is the littlest big show in town - designed to showcase local and guest professional drag queens, promote local restaurant and bar businesses, and support local 501(c)3 organizations. Clap and cheer during the glitter-adorned affair while the queens dance and twirl around with spot-on lip-syncing in sky-high heels.

@vidlcellars

Through many different treatments, vessels, and fermentations, we’ve created a diverse portfolio of wines that reflect our passion as both drinkers and makers. These truths we hold self-evident: fruit is life, fermentation is alchemy, and wine is vīdl.

@theoddavl

Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to: The Odditorium. A place for wicked good times, freakishly incredible events, and an anomaly of art and artifacts. More than just a local dive bar & restaurant, we are part music venue, part oddities museum all served with southern sass, queerness and sexiness!  The Odditorium features all genres of music, as well as drag, comedy, freak shows, trivia, karaoke, flea markets, burlesque, dance parties, male go-go dancers, oddities and strange collections, and a plethora of other

@noble_cider

Founded in the new 'Craft Brew Mecca' of Asheville and North Carolina's apple country, Noble brings together a rich local history of agriculture with this region’s exciting craft beverage industry. We make a variety of things...mead, spritzers, wine, and cider of course!

@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.

@pernodricardusa

Conviviality is about how we do business – bringing our passion to work every day and living by our values of openness, simplicity, collaboration and entrepreneurship. We are constantly innovating to ensure our customers have the right spirit to match every moment of conviviality.

@counterculturecoffee

We have been continuously innovating in the coffee industry for more than two decades—setting the standard for quality and sustainability. We don't just find good coffee, we put in the work and commitment it takes to develop great coffees.

@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.

@mountainvalleywater

@savorshrub

Kat Savage (she/her) is a WNC native, passionate naturalist & foodie. SAVOR makes NA mixers in an homage to herbal & European traditions of bitters & shrubs. She has been involved in herbalism for 20 years & has her BS in Natural Health. Formerly co-owning & formulating for a respected herb school & tincture company, she has taught about health around the southeast. SAVOR’s mission is to encourage clients to drop in & savor life’s little moments with better bitters.

@drinksarilla

When you choose Sarilla, you are also making positive change in the world! A fun, healthy and nonalcoholic beverage that is naturally energizing with a base of camellia sinensis tea leaves. We use a whole leaf brewing technology so not only are you getting a great-tasting beverage, but you are also benefiting from the antioxidants, amino acids, omegas and slow-release polyphenol naturally occurring in tea. 

@georgedickel

Born 40 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, George A. Dickel was an established Nashville merchant when he entered the whisky business. Dickel grew his reputation for selling the smoothest, most mellow spirits in the region. Thus, Geo. A. Dickel & Co. was born and when the Cascade Hollow Distillery opened in 1878 in neighboring Coffee County, George Dickel bought a large share. George Dickel followed in the Scottish tradition of spelling whisky without an “e.”