@tequiofoods

Martinez (he/him) was born in Santa Catarina Loxicha, Oaxaca, Mexico, in a small Zapotec pueblo. Based in Asheville, NC, Luis is combining his love for cooking with his passion for social justice. He is dedicated to working alongside indigenous communities in overcoming and flourishing, despite difficult economic challenges and dangerous political encounters. By combining his experience in community-building with his experience as a chef, he is leveraging a deep commitment to the roots of Mexican cuisine with the promotion of Oaxacan gastronomy.

@buttermilk_boutique

Tie (she/her), owns her boutique pastry company located in Clayton, NC, specializing in luxury hand-crafted pastries, cakes, and plated desserts that showcase southern flavors with breathtaking presentation and design. ​Tie has been recognized for her sweet talents with features in VoyageRaleigh, NC Agriculture Stove Side Chats, Bustld Weddings, and Our State Magazine. She was a competitor on Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games as well as NCRLA’s Chef Showdown’s 2021 Pastry Chef of the Year and 2019 People’s Choice Best Pastry

@eatrootdown

Dano (he/him) is a Cook County, IL native who developed a keen palate for Southern food. Dano moved to New Orleans to attend culinary school and pursue his dream of cooking. Dano worked and staged in some of NOLA's finest kitchens, learning essential qualities of classic Creole, French and Southern cuisine.

@littlechangoavl

Rodriguez (she/her) was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. With a Puerto Rican father and a Cuban mother, Rodriguez is passionate about Hispanic food. When she moved to the US in 2011, she had been working in the banking industry. In 2016 she moved to Asheville, NC, and attended the Culinary Arts Program at AB Tech Community College and made a much-needed career change. Her passion for the culinary arts became her new career and she hasn’t stopped cooking since. She has worked and/or managed renowned restaurants like Curate, Nightbell, Button & Co.

A member of the Deer Clan, Amy Walker (she/her) grew up eating out of the Appalachian forests; a wildcrafter and a farmer, she farms traditional Cherokee foods, mostly growing traditional medicine, corn, beans, and squash. She is a retired social worker, and an indigenous traditionalist. 

Mx. Tyson Sampson (he/they) is an Eastern Band Cherokee Indian ( ᎠᏳᏫᏯ ᎨᏯᏔᎯᎤᏁᏉᎳᏗᏍᎩ).Tyson is a two-hearted and -spirited individual descended from the local indigenous matriarchy called the ᎠᏂᎩᎶᎯ (A-ni-gi-lo-hi). Over 20+ years, they have documented endangered language, held mindful presence, and shared Cherokee wild food practices and cultural sensibilities. They are cultivating an apothecary for ethnobotanical accessibility and a collective to support traditional ecological knowledge through the Bigwitch Indian Wisdom Initiative.

@sheri.castle

Sheri Castle (she/her) is the host of The Key Ingredient, a cooking show from PBS. She is also an award-winning professional food writer, recipe developer, and cooking teacher known for melding stories, humor, and culinary expertise. She is a Contributing Editor for Southern Living. The Southern Foodways Alliance named her one of 20 Living Legends of Southern Food. She grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains and now lives in Pittsboro, NC. She’s fueled by farmers markets, great stories, a deep love of nature, and the occasional cocktail.

Celebrating our Mountain Heritage through Music, Song and Dance! For over 35 years The Whitewater Bluegrass Co. has captivated audiences throughout the Southeast with their blend of Bluegrass music, country ballads, mountain swing and down-home humor. With Whitewater, mountain culture is a celebration of music, song and dance.

@highlandbrewing

Highland Brewing Company was founded in 1994 as Asheville’s original craft brewery. Family-owned with a focus on sustainability, Highland is committed to brewing quality and innovative beers. Highland’s hilltop brewery is home to its Taproom as well as an industrial-chic Event Center and Rooftop bar, both of which are available for private events.

@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.

@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. 

@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.

@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.

@dobrateanc

Eastern tea rooms serving responsibly sourced and authentically prepared teas as well as sweet and savory offerings.

@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!

@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.

@therestorationhotel

Located on Patton Avenue, across from Pritchard Park, this new downtown Asheville boutique hotel is inspired by the free-spirited culture of the local community. The Restoration Asheville is a canvas for authentic exploration of our city—and ourselves. 

@mountainvalleywater

@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.

@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. 

@matchanude

Matcha Nude exists because finding organic, pure matcha that tastes good, is affordable + good for the planet is actually pretty hard to come by. We offer affordable premium grade organic, non-gmo matcha that is ethically sourced from Japan + is packaging in 100% compostable packaging. Our matcha is naturally soft and sweet in flavor and doesn't need additional sweeteners. We are on a mission to show the world the power of this incredible tea + the lifestyle that comes with it.

Carolina Mountain Woodturners (CMW) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, educational Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). We usually meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month – from 10 AM to 4 PM – at the Folk Art Center, on the historic Blue Ridge Parkway, just South of mile marker 382. We host a woodturning demonstration each month (except November) in the Center’s auditorium. This is a free demonstration, and it’s open to the public. Please join us!

An American Maker of Wall Tents, Hiking, Camping and Military Gear.
We are enthusiastic, some may say nostalgic for the way things used to be done and should be done. The activities that inspired us all. The products that made them special.
And, most importantly to us, the place where these products are made.

@botanicalbonesco

We believe that all living creatures are at their best when consuming foods that nourish the mind, body and soul. Our dog treats are made in small batches with nutrient-dense clean ingredients that dogs love + superfoods and adaptogens to promote wellness.