@holemanfinchavl @toneperez

Antonio Perez (he/him) brings over a decade of culinary experience and a passion for supporting local farmers and communities to the kitchen of Linton and Gina Hopkins’ Holeman and Finch. As chef de cuisine, Perez works hand in hand with Hopkins to bring the James Beard Award-winning chef’s from-scratch, whole-animal and vegetable philosophy to life, forging deep connections with the farmers and artisans of Western North Carolina whose bounty is at the heart of the Holeman and Finch menu.

@benneoneagle @chefophus

A South Florida native, Hethington (he/him) grew up around the table, eating and cooking delicious soul food — food that would eventually shape his culinary trajectory: flavors, ingredients and dishes from the African diaspora. In August 2021 he accepted the Chef de Cuisine role at Benne on Eagle. His cuisine has been acclaimed  by critics and guests alike. He is widely recognized as a rising star in the Southeast. He is a 2022 nominee for the James Beard Foundation Awards in the “Emerging Chef” category.

@chefanniepettry

Pettry (she/her) is an award-winning chef in the Southern culinary scene with a passion for advocacy and sustainability. Raised in the mountains of Asheville, NC, she spent her childhood in the vegetable garden, foraging for mushrooms, trout fishing, and in the kitchen cooking with her family. A 2020 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast and two-time Food & Wine People’s Best New Chef nominee, Chef Pettry can be seen on Top Chef season 14 & 16.

@jargonrestaurant @tapas_flacka_flames

Ryan (he/him) grew up in Hastings, PA, a small farming community located outside of Pittsburgh. He attended IUP Academy of Culinary Arts in Punxsutawney, PA, graduating with high honors in 2009. He leads the culinary team at Jargon creating, global market driven cuisine. Fresh, fun, and exciting is how he describes his food style.

@patchworkurbanfarms @patchwork.alliance

Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, Sunil is a farmer, permaculturalist, chef, and food and farming thought-leader. Living and farming in West Asheville, Sunil brings food from the soil all the way to the plate. He has learned more and more over the course of his growing career about the flaws in our food system. He founded Patchwork Alliance in an endeavor to utilize a cooperative business model to increase food security and build trusting relationships throughout WNC.

@raileigh

Backpacker, hiker, camper, yogi, life coach, and farmer – Raileigh (she/her) guides and inspires all folks to find health and empowerment in the outdoors, particularly women of color. Her greatest joys include building sustainable community, leading multi-dimensional movement, and fostering conscious transformation. Raileigh possesses a B.S. in Family and Child Sciences and an academic portfolio of minor study in psychology, western medicine, and child development from Florida State

@tierrafertilcoop

Delia, from El Salvador, community worker, and instructor. Cooperativa Tierra Fértil, a social and economic initiative founded by 7 Hispanic community members in 2020, honors the hard work, expertise, and legacy of farm workers in Henderson County and WNC by creating an opportunity for present and future generations of Latinx people to make radical changes on the food, health, agricultural, and labor system. ABUNDANCIA is a natural, fresh, and culturally appropriate food bank for Hispanics going through a crisis in Henderson County and surrounding areas.

@permapasturesfarm

Billy (he/him) was a city kid. He went to college for a short while before joining the US Army to become an Airborne Sapper. He became an IBEW electrician and completed degrees in biology and business administration. He moonlighted as a talk radio host and learned the craft of butchery at The Local Pig in Kansas City, Mo. He was bitten by the permaculture bug and earned his permaculture design certificate and has since designed several homesteads in several states. He loves experimenting and learning!

@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.

@counterculturecoffee

We have been continuously innovating in the coffee industry for more than two decades—setting the standard for quality and sustainability. We don't just find good coffee, we put in the work and commitment it takes to develop great coffees.

@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. 

@wehrloomavl

While it's one of the worlds oldest fermented beverages, we're not serving anything dated. Our take on Mead is something new, something refreshing. Best of all, our meads are made with our locally produced Appalachian Mountain honey and each is gluten free. 

@savorshrub

Kat Savage (she/her) is a WNC native, passionate naturalist & foodie. SAVOR makes NA mixers in an homage to herbal & European traditions of bitters & shrubs. She has been involved in herbalism for 20 years & has her BS in Natural Health. Formerly co-owning & formulating for a respected herb school & tincture company, she has taught about health around the southeast. SAVOR’s mission is to encourage clients to drop in & savor life’s little moments with better bitters.

@gingersrev

Ginger's Revenge is dedicated to producing exciting and creative craft beverages from sustainably sourced ingredients, and is one of only a handful of breweries in the country that specializes in alcoholic ginger beers.

@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