The Asheville Wine and Food Festival Announces “Asheville Cocktail Week”

The Asheville Wine and Food Festival  announces its celebration of spirits and mixology to a dedicated week-long event, crowned “Asheville Cocktail Week”.

In partnership with Spirit Savvy Events and sponsor support by Beam Suntory, makers of Jim Beam, Makers Mark and Knob Creek, among others. Festivities include national book authors and mixology gurus, an expanded “ELIXIR” event highlighting an ever expanding pool of local talent, as well the largest industry-only Distilling Expo in the Southeast.

images courtesy of Asheville Wine and Food Festival

Asheville Cocktail Week Schedule:

May 1 – 8, 2016 (Tickets go on sale February 15) Asheville Cocktail Week is a celebration of the art of mixology and craft spirits, combining the best talent and trends the industry has to offer. Various locations, Asheville, NC. Presented by Asheville Fest and Spirit Savvy

May 1-8, 2016 Best Bloody Mary Contest (Full Week) (supported by Cathead Vodka) Numerous Asheville Bars will be serving their very best bloody mary to claim the title of Asheville. Cocktail Week “Best Bloody Mary”, all culminating end of week for final results.

May 4, 2016 Cocktail Theatre Featuring Rob Floyd at The Historic S &W Cafeteria.  With Beam Suntory The week kicks off with Cocktail Theatre featuring “Molecular Mixologist” Rob Floyd. Recently recognized as one of the top mixologists in the world by Savory and Luxe Magazine, Rob has been featured in major publications including the Wall Street Journal, Times of London, People Maxim, Huffington Post and Esquire. Rob’s traveling troupe will entertain the crowd while serving creative concoctions. http://rxliquidchef.com

May 5, 2016 Book signing with Warren Bobrow at Malaprop’s. Asheville’s own Malaprop’s Bookstore will host a reading and signing with this well known cocktail author. Bowbrow, known as the “Cocktail Whisperer” among being a notable writer featured in Saveur and many other publications, is the author of three books: Apothecary Cocktails: Restorative Drinks from Yesterday and Today (2013), Whiskey Cocktails: Rediscovered Classics and Contemporary Craft Drinks (2014) and Bitters and Shrub Syrup Cocktails: Restorative Vintage Cocktails, Mocktails & Elixirs (2015). http://cocktailwhisperer.com

May 5, 2016 Spirit Dinner with Warren Bobrow with Beam Suntory at the Historic S&W Cafeteria. The renowned mixologist, chef and author will join us with his cocktail -themed books to share his lifetime of secrets and stories. Enjoy a meal prepared by locally renowned Asheville chefs, for an intimate, yet lively gathering.

May 5, 2016 Cinco de Mayo Tequila Tasting and After-Party with Beam Suntory. Celebrate in true Cinco de Mayo style with tequila tastings and an after- hours “fiesta”. Start the evening with a Beam Suntory Tequila master leading a customized tequila tasting. After being educated, enjoy a specialty craft cocktail derived from the night’s theme. Continue on in to a Cinco de Mayo bar -crawl to enjoy unique preparations using various tequilas. Of course no tequila tasting would be complete without an exclusive after-party to round out the evening.

May 6, 2016 Southeastern Distilling Expo.  Simply the largest gathering of Southeastern Distilleries in one location. This invite- only industry expo for owners, managers and bar tenders gets product front and center of the people who are purchasing and using the spirits. Distilleries can share the details of their products and showcase their company, while the industry representatives get to sample, see possible uses and develop homegrown relationships with their products roots. Industry luminaries will provide additional value for bar staff with classes and instruction on shrubs, bitters, batching and more.

May 6, 2016 Asheville Wine and Food Festival ELXIR bar competition at the historic S&W Cafeteria. In its fourth year, ELIXIR promises to bring yet another exciting evening of collaboration between the distilleries and local bar talent. Open to the public, this event provides a fun environment for the public to get in front of bartenders while they demo and provide sample drinks in a structured, competition-style forum. It’s a great way to support your local favorites and well as discovery new talent! Check out the exceptional pricing!

May 7, 2016 Hangover Brunch with Cathead Vodka Bloody Mary Bar.  The best cure for days of celebration with libation is a Bloody Mary Brunch. Keep the week moving forward with this mid-day boost with Cathead Vodka showing us how the Bloody Mary is done right.

May 7, 2016 Asheville Cocktail Tours guided by Eating Asheville.  This long time established Asheville food tour group has stepped up to the challenge of leading leading patrons for an immersive, knowledge- based bar hop. Offering specially designed tours to suit your cocktail style, will provide variety at its best.

May 7, 2016 Asheville “Derby” Party with Beam Suntory at Smoky Park Supper Club. Who says you can’t throw a party in a recycled shipping container? Smoky Park Supper Club is the largest shipping container restaurant in the U.S. and has the perfect riverfront expansive lawn to boot. Showing full Southern roots, party-goers will imbibe in the the “Derby-style” mint juleps front row derby viewing, and more. Celebrate for hours for the best minutes in horse racing excitement. Big hats encouraged.

May 7, 2016 Old Fashioned Nightcap with Beam Suntory at Ole Shakey’s. The perfect way to round off a Saturday evening with a lovely nightcap at one of Asheville’s favorite feel good bars. A mixture of soul and grunge, relax with specially prepared nightcap among friends.

May 8, 2016 Best Bloody Mary Contest Results. Ballots will be collected and tallied so that the very best can be named, tasted and celebrated by all.

TICKETS/DETAILS: Times, additional details and ticket purchase are available through Brown Paper Tickets here and at http://ashevillewineandfood.com

Asheville Wine and Food Festival a Big Success for 2015

The 7th Annual Asheville Wine and FoodFestival held August 20 - 22 in downtown Asheville,  brought together a vibrant culinary community, and attracted 5000 attendees over the celebratory week.

Wine and food aficionados enjoyed three days of signature events: ELIXIR, North Carolina’s largest distillery showcase and craft cocktail competition; SWEET, a feast of desserts, wines, and spirits; and the GRAND TASTING, featuring farm-to-table restaurants, artisan food producers, bakers, chocolatiers, craft brewers and distilleries, and winemakers who were present to cook, pour, demonstrate, and serve their love to eager attendees. The festival, one of the largest indoor culinary festivals in the southeast, is a testament to the region’s growing food scene.

The highlight of the weekend was the GRAND TASTING at the US Cellular Center. Occupying all 3 floors with over 75,000 square feet, it brought together 145 of Asheville’s best restaurants, artisan food producers, vintners, breweries, and distilleries to entertain a crowd of more than 4,000.

In addition to book signings and blind wine and beer tastings, culinary demonstrations were provided by Chefs Dan and Jael Rattigan of the French Broad Chocolate Lounge; Chef William Dissen, Chef-Owner of the Market Place Restaurant; Chef Steve Goff, and Chef Felicia Suzanne Willett of Felicia Suzanne's from Memphis.

The Asheville Scene Chefs Competition rounded out the day with four great chefs from Asheville vying for the 2015 Title win. They were Chef Hollie West from Sweet Monkey Café and Bakery, Chef Steven Goff of Asheville, Chef Joe Mitchell from Chestnut Asheville, and Chef Ryan Kline from Buffalo Nickel.

Chef Hollie West took top honors with her sautéed quail with sweet potatoes. In addition to the title of the 2015 Best Chef for the Asheville Wine and Food Festival, Chef West received a $1,000 shopping spree at Blue Ridge Restaurant Equipment, a vacation package for 4 to Orlando provided by Universal Marketing Group, and a set of hand painted glasses from Wine Me in Daytona.

The Asheville Wine and Food Commercial Wine competitions compared 73 wines, judged by the French Broad Vignerons. The Double Gold Medal Wines were St. Paul Mountain Vineyards of Hendersonville, NC - Viognier 2013 and Laurel Hill - Vidal Blanc 2014. Burntshirt Vineyards of Hendersonville, NC - Burntshirt Vineyards Estate White - Vidal Blanc 2013. Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery of Ronda, NC - Vermentino Superiore - Vermentino 2014. Watauga Lake Winery of Butler, TN - Fox Hollow - 50% Chancellor, 50% Steuben 2014. Parker-Binns Vineyard of Mill Spring, NC - Rose - Merlot 2014.

ELIXIR was held at the Morris Hellenic Event Cultural Center in the historic Montford community. While 300 attendees noshed on canapés provided by 67 Biltmore, North Carolina craft distilleries provided samples of their spirits. Mixologists from 10 Asheville bars and restaurants competed in the mixology competition, whereby they were tasked to create a cocktail utilizing a CRUDE Small-Batch Bitters, along with their own homemade syrups and mixers. Judges from the Asheville Scene, Our State Magazine, and others quaffed the selections and announced Kala Brooks from Top of the Monk the winner, with Noah Hermanson from Sunny Point Café receiving honorable mention!

SWEET, at the historic Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville, drew 600 attendees out to explore flavors put forth by 24 exhibitors, including bakers, pâtissiers, chocolatiers, vintners, wineries, brewers and distillers. The evening of desserts was held at 8:00 p.m. to allow dinner beforehand at Asheville’s many independent restaurants. The shops at the Grove Arcade stayed open late for shopping, while a wildly entertaining performance was provided by the Reggie Sullivan Band."

Two non-profit organizations benefited from the 2015 festival. The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) and its “Chefs of Tomorrow Scholarship Fund.” Established through AB-Tech’s nationally accredited culinary program, AIR works to provide future hospitality industry professionals with financial assistance.

Slow Food Asheville, a major contributor to the establishment and organization of the Festival, is part of a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment….food that is good for those who eat it, for the planet, and for the people that grow it. Projects include the Heritage Food Committee and the Appalachian Food Storybank.

Director Bob Bowles established the Asheville Wine and Food Festival in 2009. Asheville Color Imaging is the 2015 Title Sponsor. Additional sponsors included Pure Leaf, Whole Foods Asheville, Asheville Citizen –Times and Asheville Scene, Grove Arcade, Kitchen and Company, Biltmore, Blue Ridge Restaurant Equipment, Chef Works, ARTeries, and hotel sponsors, media partners, and supporters. www.ashevillewineandfood.com

WNC Chef's Challenge Quarterfinals

 April 16   WNC Chef's Challenge: Quarterfinals: Tomato Jam Café vs. DoubleTree Catering.  Dining participants will enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate a special ingredient and will score each dish. The diners' votes are then tallied along with those from a panel of judges and the weekly winners will continue to participate in the competition. 

Reservations for the WNC Chefs Challenge are $49 per individual, and can be purchased online at http://wncchefschallenge.eventbrite.com. Sales tax, and gratuity ($67.97 total) are included in ticket purchase. Held at the Chestnut Restaurant in downtown Asheville NC.

Learn more about Asheville dining and entertainment on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Live Music Tonight at Asheville's Grove Arcade

March 22   Live Music at The Grove Arcade   The Emory Haynes Band will be performing a free concert from 6 to 8 PM. Band members include Joe Laughter on guitar and vocals, Buzzy Cannady on guitar, Tim Emory on guitar and vocals, Robby Moore on drums and Wes Farmer on bass. The playlist includes classic rock, easy listening and blues. Visitors might hear songs such as Dock of the Bay, House of the Rising Sun, Stormy Monday, Spooky, Last dance with Mary Jane and more. 

Stop by one of the Arcade's restaurants and wine bars  to begin or cap off an evening spent downtown.  Support local businesses and celebrate the change of season's this weekend.

The Grove Arcade is located at One Page Avenue in the heart of downtown Asheville NC.  Get a link for the free concert, The Grove Arcade and other Asheville attractions on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Built by E.W. Grove, the visionary and creator of the Grove Park Inn, the Grove Arcade opened in 1929 and thrived until World War II as one of the country’s leading public markets. The historically renovated Grove Arcade reopened to the public in 2002 as a destination featuring locally-owned shops, galleries, restaurants and businesses.  A lively and beloved downtown landmark, the Arcade is open daily.  

WNC Chef's Challenge for 3/12/13

March 12   WNC Chef's Challenge: Biltmore Village Inn - Chef Jonathan Santiago versus Zambra - Chef Steven Goff.  Dining participants will enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate a special ingredient and will score each dish. 

photo courtesy WNC Magazine

The diners' votes are then tallied along with those from a panel of judges and the weekly winners will continue to participate in the competition. Reservations for the WNC Chefs Challenge are $49 per individual, and can be purchased online at http://wncchefschallenge.eventbrite.com. Sales tax, and gratuity ($67.97 total) are included in ticket purchase.

All preliminary Challenges will be held at the Chestnut Restaurant in downtown Asheville NC.

The 2013 nonprofit organization benefiting from the WNC Chefs Challenge is Eliada, a 109-year-old agency serving North Carolina’s children and families. Founded in 1903 by Dr. Lucius B. Compton as a home for women and children, Eliada’s full-service continuum includes 5-star Child Development Services (Pre School, After School, Summer Camp, More at Four); Residential and Day Treatment for children and adolescents; Vocational Education and Transitional Living; Foster Care and Therapeutic Foster Care; and Therapeutic Recreation services. Learn more about Eliada’s history and services by visiting www.eliada.org. The agency enters its second century with pride, committed to the fulfillment of its mission of Helping Children Succeed.

Last Chance for Asheville Restaurant Week

February 1-7   Asheville Restaurant Week Participating restaurants will offer a prix fixe menu ranging from $15–$30 per person. Restaurant Week is an opportunity to try as many great Asheville restaurants as your schedule allows for four incredibly low fixed prices. Ever wondered about that restaurant you thought might be out of your price range? Restaurant Week will allow you to give it a try with the security of knowing exactly what you will be spending.

Get a link for details about Asheville Restaurant Week and other events on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

First Annual Asheville Restaurant Week

February 1-7  Asheville Restaurant Week Inaugural Event: Participating restaurants will offer a prix fixe menu ranging from $15–$30 per person.

Restaurant Week is an opportunity to try as many great Asheville restaurants as your schedule allows for four incredibly low fixed prices. Ever wondered about that restaurant you thought might be out of your price range? Restaurant Week will allow you to give it a try with the security of knowing exactly what you will be spending.

Restaurants will offer either:

• Lunch: $15 two-course meal for one person.
• Dinner: $30 three-course meal for one person.
• Dinner: $30 two-course meal for two or
• Dinner: $20 two-course meal for two.
  *beverage, tax and gratuity are not included in the special pricing

Make reservations at each individual restaurant.  Not every restaurant accepts reservations, so be sure to contact the restaurant if you are unsure.

Learn more about Asheville restaurants, attractions and lodging on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Asheville Showcases Top Restaurants in Downtown Culinary Event

November 15 - 2012 Taste of Asheville   Asheville's top culinary talent is showcased at this annual event hosted by Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR).  Celebrate 40 of Asheville's most talented chefs during one of the largest foodie events of the year. The event will take place in  downtown Asheville at The Venue and kicks off at 7PM.

 

Tickets to Taste of Asheville includes small plate tastings of 40 local, independent restaurants as well as beer and wine sampling. In addition, AIR’s new Taste of Asheville Passport for the year 2013 will be available for purchase on-site, a coupon booklet representing over $1000 in dining savings at AIR restaurants, for the cost of $50. Passports will be available for sale after the event at www.airasheville.org.

Participating restaurants include:

• Acropolis Pizza 
• Avenue M 
• Blue Water Seafood Co. 
• Boca 
• Bouchon 
• Burgerworx
• Carmels
• Chai Pani 
• City Bakery Café
• Corner Kitchen
• Creperie Bouchon 
• D.I. Hospitality
• Edna's Of Asheville
• Frankie Bones
• French Broad Chocolate Lounge 
• The Green Sage
• Homegrown 
• Jack of Hearts 
• Jack of the Wood 
• Jerusalem Garden Café 
• Karen Donatelli Café
• Laughing Seed
• Lexington Avenue Brewery
• Luella's BBQ
• Mamacitas Baja Kitchen 
• Mela
• Neo Burrito 
• Neo Cantina 
• Pack's Tavern 
• Plant
• Pomodoros
• Sazerac
• Scully's 
• Strada
• Sunny Point Café 
• The Local Joint
• The Glass Onion 
• Tupelo Honey Café 
• Ultimate Ice Cream 
• Vincenzos
• Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian
  

10th annual Dining Out For Life® in Asheville

April 26 - 10th annual Dining Out For Life®  in Asheville NC. You are cordially invited to join the Asheville Downtown Association for the 10th annual Dining Out For Life® benefit to support the mission of the Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP).

This year's event is well under way and needs support more than ever this year with a reduction in federal funding, and an increasing number of clients who need help. Over 100 of the finest restaurants in WNC will  donate 20% of their gross sales occuring on April 26th.  You can do your part by simply dining out for breakfast, lunch or dinner or all three. And don't forget to visit the DOFL restaurants all year round and thank them for their kind support.

Last year's Dining Out For Life® benefit raised over $138,000 to support the mission of WNCAP and thanks to the generous sponsors, only 5.1% of that total went to cover expenses. Through the efforts of so many giving individuals and businesses, much needed AIDS awareness and education has been provided throughout WNC, while providing case-managed care to those whose lives have already been affected by HIV/AIDS.

If you would like to be a part of this year's benefit as an Ambassador, please check the Volunteer section of the menu. Volunteering has never been so much fun!

Cúrate Chef Vies for Best New Chef Award

The Annual "Best New Chef"  designation from Food and Wine is up for grabs this week. Ten of America’s most brilliant up-and-coming chefs have been nominated and can be voted for on the Food and Wine website. 

Asheville's Curate Chef  Katie Button is among the nominees. Burtton was nominated for channeling the skills she gained through her experiences at Jean Georges (New York City), The Bazaar by José Andrés (Los Angeles), internship at El Bulli (now closed; Roses, Spain)  to make authentic Spanish tapas.  Button was recently a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard award.  

The recently opened Cúrate is Asheville’s newist Spanish tapas bar, serving an all-Spanish cuisine including croquettes, patatas bravas and plenty of jamon. Cúrate, pronounced coo-rah-tay, means "to heal." Since its opening last spring, Curate has received rave reviews and now Chef Button  has made the top ten at Food and Wine. The restaurant is located at 11 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville NC.

Cast your vote for Curate Chef  Katie Button HERE. Voting is open through March 11, 2012.