@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.

@maizemagician

Stephen Smith (he/him) is an avid maize breeder from the Clarksville, TN area. His breeding program for maize highlights the diversity of the 10,000 or so existing and documented varieties of corn and using these to breed colorful, adaptable and disease/pest resistant cultivars that are not only flavorful and nutritious, but also able to be grown around the world in various climates. Stephen also maintains and stewards over 1600 varieties of corn. He is also the author of the book dedicated to corn titled Maize: Roots, Shoots, and Moccasin Boots.

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. 

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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.

@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.