@pattysaenz32020

Patricia (she/ella) was born in Cabañas La Paz, Honduras. My passion for cooking started when I was a little girl. I loved seeing my mom cook and make tamales. I remember the first time I made pastelitos with her when I was 6. My dad passed when I was 11, and that is when I started working. This was the beginning of my career in the restaurant industry. Years later, I moved to the US and after much hard work, I was able to materialize my dream. Pupuseria Paty is my way of showing this beautiful city the traditions of my village.

@braisedandconfit_avl

Christian (he/him) moved to Asheville, NC with his three beautiful children seeking adventure and a new story with his food. Christian started working in kitchens back in 2008 experiencing family owned restaurants, cafes, and corporate kitchen settings throughout the years. Christian believes in the importance of food here and now, the idea of what is happening, growing, and alive in our region and the current season at this very moment. With Braised & Confit, Christian is intentional about native foraged and farmed sourced ingredients.

@culturaavl @cire6682

Chef Eric (he/him) is an incredible and passionate human being who dedicates his heart and energy to supporting his team and strengthening his community. Eric has been cooking professionally for more than two decades, including as chef de cuisine for the critically acclaimed Nightbell in Asheville and Pearl & Ash in New York City. In 2021, Chef Eric Morris launched the Cultivated Community Dinner Series at Cultura. This dinner series provides a platform for Asheville chefs who are a positive force for change within our community.

Michelle Bailey is Executive Chef at Smoky Park Supper Club where the seasonal menu showcases her mastery of wood-fired cooking and her passion for sourcing the most delicious ingredients from local farmers and foragers. Throughout her career, Chef Bailey has been known for crafting refined American fare featuring traditional southern techniques and international flavor profiles.

The Memphis born, WNC raised chef has been working in restaurants since she was 14 years old.

@StuHelmFoodFan

Stu (he/him) has lived in Asheville since 2005 & has been a local food blogger since 2013. He is also a food tour guide & radio show host with over 11,000 social media followers & has produced several local food events & competitions. While Helm has no formal background in professional kitchens (a fact he does not hesitate to admit), he stays on top of every restaurant opening, tracks the movement of local chefs and can quickly identify trends, as well as tastes and flavors that he likes.

Roy Harris (he/him) is a Father, Deacon, Community activist and has lived in the Southside Neighborhood for the last 35 years. He has been involved in numerous organizations, now serving on the Board of Directors of Riverlink, Southside United, Deacon at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Housing Authority City of Asheville, and The National Association of Black Storytellers. He is a life member of The NAACP. He is passionate about justice and local history.

@annette_saunooke_clapsaddle

Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle (she/her), a citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, holds degrees from Yale University and the College of William and Mary. Her debut novel, Even As We Breathe (UPK 2020), was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020 and received the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award (2021). Clapsaddle’s work appears in Yes! Magazine, Lit Hub, and The Atlantic. She teaches at Swain County High School in Bryson City, NC.

@belovedasheville

BeLoved Asheville creates innovative solutions to some of the toughest challenges we face as a community. We put love into action daily. We believe in the perspective that we gain when we know that we are loved and we see others as equally loved. 

@allisonscottnc

Lifetime local Allison Scott (she/her) is a trans woman who advocates for LGBTQ Southerners as the Director of Impact & Innovation for the Campaign for Southern Equality. Allison is a community organizer and bridge builder who has coordinated with school systems, churches, businesses, news agencies, medical practices, and state and federal governments regarding equality for LGBTQ people.

@jonathanammons @ds_avl

Jon (he/him) has had a wildly diverse career, working as a journalist for a decade covering everything from food policy to music reviews. Asheville native, reluctant journalist, recipe developer, musician, professional eater and drinker, founder of the Dirty Spoon, and host of the Dirty Spoon Radio Hour, his focus has always been on the stories behind what we consume and how they came to be.

@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.

@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.

@stoneashe_vineyard

Dedicated to showcasing our land and the entirety of the North Carolina region as a thriving viticulture area, we invite you to visit Stone Ashe to try through our selection of traditional Bordeaux wines. The intersection of elegance, complexity, and finesse.

@topofthemonk

We won’t bore you with some long dissertation. Instead, we’ll just say this: at Top of the Monk our philosophy is simple, centered around presenting you with the best quality cocktails, served by our knowledgeable and friendly staff in an atmosphere that is both sophisticated, yet relaxing. We take pride in serving the finest classic cocktails, and in continually honing and learning our craft in order to give you the best experience and drinks possible.
 

@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. 

@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