@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. 

@birchwoodhall

As chef and owner of Birchwood Hall, Chef Nicolas Peek (he/him) is proud to bring traditional Southern cuisine to Waynesville, NC. Raised in Fairview, NC, Chef Peek grew up cooking. His passion began while working at his grandfather’s farm, raising cows, and vegetables. A fond memory of his childhood is watching PBS cooking shows with his Dad. These humble beginnings launched a lifelong passion for food and keeping every ingredient fresh and local.

@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.

@chefdanielwheeler

Daniel (he/him) has spent 20 years in the hospitality industry, primarily focusing on seasonal and sustainable food systems. He has worked for acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs including Sean Brock and Patrick O’Connell and has led many kitchens in the Carolinas, most recently James Beard nominated restaurant The Stanley in Charlotte. Daniel made the transition to culinary and hospitality education; here he hopes to educate and inspire young chefs to further their growth and exploration of the hospitality industry.

@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

@foodexperiencecatering

Driven by a similar passion for food and entertaining, founder Tony Franco (he/him), Executive Chef, and Co-Owner, Matthew Macon, launched Food Experience in 2007. Tony and Matthew create custom menus for Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Corporate Events. They have 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 community.

@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.

@burialbeer

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.

@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. 

@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.

@brewnaturals

Samara Price is the founder of Brew Naturals, a gourmet elderberry company based out of Western Northern Carolina. Brew Naturals is a farm to table product that focuses on real ingredients, delicious taste and full body wellness. For years, elderberry has been seen just as wellness products, however Samara is committed to making the most delicious elderberry products in the region to showcase their versatility. She is passionate about saving this berry from obscurity by highlighting the culinary creativity it inspires!

@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. 

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!

@better_thymes

We are local small business based in Asheville, NC. We started with the simple idea of wanting to take you back to better times. Our focus is delivering quality and consistency in all of our products. Join us on our journey! Our mission is to remind you of the good old times. Sharing great flavors from our kitchen to yours. All crafted with you in mind. We hope you enjoy all we have to offer, and share the experience with others.

@organicgrowersschool

Organic Growers School is the premier provider of practical and affordable organic education in the Southern Appalachians, building a vibrant food & farming community by boosting the success of organic home growers and farmers in our region. Our hands-on training, workshops, conferences, and partnerships inspire, educate, and support people to farm, garden, and live organically.

@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.