Closing Party

@chefkatiebutton @curatetapasbar

Button (she/her) is the JBFA-nominated co-founder and CEO of Asheville, NC’s beloved Cúrate, a collection of restaurants, online marketplace, wine club and culinary journeys designed to create exceptional access to Spanish culture. Before opening Cúrate with husband Felix Meana, Katie honed her craft in the kitchens of some of the world’s best chefs. The Cúrate brand now includes La Bodega by Cúrate, Cúrate Trips, and Cúrate at Home and Cúrate Spanish Wine Club.

@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.

@localsseafood

Reimagining how you eat local seafood. Straight from the coast to you. Locals Seafood started with a single item for sale: the humble shrimp. In 2010, college buddies Lin & Ryan began selling Stumpy Point shrimp out of a tailgate cooler on the side of the road in Raleigh, North Carolina. Locals Seafood is still dedicated to that original idea today. Our crew drives to the coast 3 to 4 times a week to buy super fresh premium seafood straight from the source.

@buggypopsavl

In 2019 while on a little hiatus in Tampa, FL, Neomi (she/her) started eating ice pops from a local  shop when an idea was sparked. After eating a coconut pop that made her feel nostalgic for her time as a child in Puerto Rico, she immediately started testing recipes for her signature flavor, coconut cinnamon. Before she knew it, Neomi owned a trike, learned a whole lot about dry ice, and was the proud owner of a small BIPOC woman-owned gourmet ice pop business in Asheville, NC. 

@brinedandcured @tasteediner

Goff (he/him), previous head butcher at Standard Foods and former Executive Chef/Owner of the King James Public House and AUX Bar. He left home at fifteen and spent 11 years homeless, jumping freight trains across the US and Europe, cooking wherever his travels took him. He received degrees in both Culinary Arts, and Baking and Pastry from AB Tech. He is highly dedicated to supporting the local community through his food. In 2019 he was named Chef of the Year by the NCRLA. He and his wife Sam own and operate Tastee Diner.

@frenchbroadchocolate

Jael Skeffington, co-founder and CEO of French Broad Chocolate, a certified B Corp located in Asheville, believes in using business as a force for good. French Broad Chocolates has been recognized in many national and international awards.

@tupelohoneycafe

Eric Gabrynowicz has over 20 years of culinary expertise as a born-and-bred New Yorker who has always been obsessed with Southern cuisine and spirits. Gabrynowicz is a four-time semifinalist for the James Beard Award categories of Rising Star Chef and Best Chef Northeast.

Peter Pollay is Executive Chef and Co-owner of Mandara Restaurant Group, which runs Posana Restaurant . A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Executive Chef Peter Pollay has over 20 years of experience working in kitchens for Wolfgang Puck at Granita and Spago Chicago, David Burke at Park Avenue Cafe, Waldy Malouf’s Hudson River Club, and Larry Levy. His philosophy of sourcing premium ingredients, working with the local farming community, and never taking shortcuts can

@wickedweedbrewing

With four locations in Asheville including three taprooms and a fine dining restaurant, Wicked Weed shows no signs of slowing down. They continue to grow while focusing on innovation, quality, and strong roots in their community of Asheville, North Carolina.

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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

@markedtreevineyard

Marked Tree Vineyard is located on the Eastern Continental Divide between Mt. Pisgah and Tryon Peak in Flat Rock, North Carolina, in the AVA Crest of the Blue Ridge, Henderson County. Whether you are sipping wine on the Continental Divide or tasting wines by the ghost house, a marked tree is about finding your path. Marked Tree is a point along the road, a moment to reflect, a marker in life. 

@flatrockcidercompany

Our motto is “Orchard to the Glass” for a reason. At Flat Rock Cider Company, we strive to support local agriculture by using fresh fruit straight from our community orchards. We love uplifting our neighbors and making great cider at the same time. 

@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. 

@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. 

@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.

@cellarestbeerproject

Cellarest Beer Project found its roots during a camping trip in the Blue Ridge mountains in the summer of 2018. Here Head Brewer Mark Goodwin and fellow Appalachian State graduate, Harrison Fahrer, bonded over craft beer, the value of community, nature, and the commonality that all three share. Shortly after this trip they joined up with Bill Zimmer who is also a veteran of the North Carolina beer industry with the knowledge and experience they needed to make this dream a reality.

@pernodricardusa

@shantielixirs

Working together, the Shanti Elixirs’ team is dedicated to spreading well-being, peace and good vibes through every sip of Jun – created and bottled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.