@cooking_withcomedy

Clarence AKA The Flavor King (he/him). We all need food to survive and laughter will allow us to live a healthier and longer life. With a culinary background of A-B Tech College Asheville, I created Cooking With Comedy for my community and its youth to get a different outlook on life. Being recognized nationally and competing on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen, I have made a name for myself and opened up doors of opportunity with my food truck venture “Soul on the Road”.
 

@foodexperiencecatering

Driven by a similar passion for food and entertaining, founder Tony Franco (he/him), Executive Chef, and along with Co-Owner, Matthew Macon, launched Food Experience in 2007. Tony and Matthew create custom menus for Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Corporate Events.  They have recently opened a Smoked BBQ Take-Out Program at their Kitchen Headquarters in West Asheville.  Food Experience has partnered with Asheville Poverty Initiative's 12 Baskets Cafe and the West Asheville Branch of ABCCM at Sonrise to help feed those who experience food insecurity in our

@urban_graze_co

April Rose (she/her), creates edible art experiences by carefully blending rural food elements with trendy vibes of the city. We intentionally design our foods to draw you in and away from the everyday. We call it grazing. April loves creating an engaging atmosphere and memorable gatherings. 

@sandhillkitchen

Jamie (she/her) moved to Asheville from Hatteras Island in 2012. Wade grew up in Tucson, AZ. She started cooking professionally during her college years and never stopped. She has been lucky enough to live and work in some great places around the country including New Orleans, Maryland, and the Outer Banks. Regional culinary specialties are an area of interest, as well as family traditions around the table. Many of the ideas and recipes used at Sand Hill Kitchen are from her family archives.

@hopicecreamnc

Ashley (she/her) has been dedicated to dessert her whole life but found her creative outlet in ice cream in 2003 while attending UNC Asheville. Now after almost 20 years in the ice cream business, she continues to create new and inventive flavor combinations for the Hop’s four retail locations and has begun a new journey partnering with a long time friend to start a local bubble tea business, Pop Bubble Tea. Both of these ventures strive to bring people together and lift up the community through collaboration, fundraising, and creating a fun, inviting

@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.

@peacegardener @hood_huggers

From a childhood rooted in farming and farm life, to her current work cultivating healthy youth and healthy community using urban agriculture, Safi (she/her) weaves gardening and growing into everything she does. Rooted in the belief that our connection to the land - to our planet - is what brings us together and brings us home to ourselves, she (and the team at Hood Huggers) are building a culture of sustainability that’s inclusive and just - using the arts, environment, and social enterprise.

@ashevillecgn

Isa (he/him) is a father, husband, and poet with a passion for bringing awareness to the ways our daily food choices affect our well-being, and how integrating with the natural world can lead to a healthy lifestyle. A graduate of the Green Opportunities "Build and Construction" program, he has a Doctor of Naturopathy diploma from the Trinity School of Natural Health, and an Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Western Piedmont Community College. 

@shilohcommunitygarden

Shaniqua (she/her), a native of WNC, values selfless service and makes this a fervent practice in her life both locally and abroad among those living in poverty. Founder of Change Your Palate, a grassroots whole food meal prep program designed for black and indigenous people of color who have noncommunicable chronic conditions, specifically type II diabetes and hypertension. She also works with the Food Justice Planning Initiative as a Healthy Food Distributor and Nutritional Cooking Education Coordinator.

@elderandsagegardensavl

Clare Hanrahan (she/her) is a founding member of Elder & Sage Community Gardens. She has made her home in Asheville for nearly 30 years. She is a long-time peace, Justice and Environmental activist. She received a “horticulture certificate” from Alderson Federal prison where she served time for peaceful protest. With climate change upon us, and rampant over-development in our city, urban gardening is a revolutionary act. Nurturing our diverse garden community of plants and people yields a rich harvest that benefits the common good.

@elderandsagegardensavl

Arturo (he/him) was raised in Ecuador in a culinary family. He has traveled extensively developing an appreciation for diverse cuisines. He has over 30 years experience in the U.S. food service industry in kitchens from Miami to Greenwich Village, working as a private chef, in catering and banquet service, retirement communities, country clubs and fine restaurants. Arturo is a “Jack of all trades” in the kitchen and enjoys cooking and experimenting with the many culinary herbs picked fresh in the Elder & Sage Community Gardens.

Burial’s mission is to innovate and elevate with intention in the craft beverage and hospitality industries. Embracing an intentional, revivalist approach, we infuse our brands, products and experiences with storylines that celebrate artistry, history, and a reverence for quality.

@sidewaysfarmandbrewery

One of the few breweries in the US creating carbonation with local wildflower honey in our unfiltered, unpasteurized, naturally carbonated farmhouse ales, traditional lagers, and hard jun kombucha. We are a farm brewery that is taking the craft of brewing back to its agricultural roots. 

@edarhynedistillingco

Eda Rhyne Distillery is dedicated to producing exceptional small batch spirits that capture the creative, hardworking spirit of Southern Appalachia. We source local heirloom corn, grains and botanicals that give a uniquely North Carolina flavor to our spirits. 

@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!

@seedlipdrinks

Seedlip is on a mission to change the way the world drinks with the highest quality non-alcoholic options.

@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.

@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.