PRESS RELEASE from Asheville Independent Restaurant Association
ASHEVILLE, NC – A new year welcomes new faces to the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) Board of Directors.
Kevin Westmoreland, co-owner of Corner Kitchen and Chestnut, has been named the new 2016 president of the AIR board.
“As an independent restaurant owner, I have always felt that membership in AIR was important,” said Westmoreland. “When I was asked to serve on the AIR board, of course I said yes…I’m looking forward to working with our current members to get the most from their AIR membership.”
Westmoreland will join vice president/treasurer Rich Cundiff, owner of Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack, and secretary Patrick O’Cain, owner of Gan Shan Station, on the AIR member board.
“This moment in time is important for Asheville and the independent restaurant community in particular,” said Westmoreland. “Things are going well and that has helped fuel the growth of the entire food related culture here. Having an organization like AIR to work with is one of the things that can help an independent restaurant owner feel more comfortable with the changes that come their way.”
AIR also welcomes new and returning members: Rosetta Buan of Rosetta’s Kitchen and the Buchi Bar; Dia Baker of The Biltmore Company; Kevin Barnes of Ultimate Ice Cream; Stephanie Brown of Asheville CVB; Liz Button of Heirloom Hospitality Group; April Harper of Sunny Point Cafe; Dave Herrington of Wicked Weed Brewing; Rick Jackson of McGuire Wood & Bissette; Christine Lane of Marco’s Pizzeria; and Elizabeth Sims of Elizabeth Sims, LLC.
A big thanks to out-going AIR board members Peter Pollay, of Posana; Jeff Miller, of Luella’s; Kim Murray; and Michel Baudouin, of Bouchon and Creperie Bouchon.
ABOUT AIR
AIR is an association of local, independent restaurants dedicated to keeping Asheville’s food scene eclectic, authentic, interesting, fresh and flavorful. In this vibrant mountain city, you will find the flavors of Spain and the Caribbean, India and France around the corner from Southern Appalachian Mountain favorites. The AIR Board of Directors serves as the voice of the membership, a membership of over 115 independently owned Asheville restaurants. It’s not unusual to find AIR chefs featured in national publications or earning national recognition for their food and hospitality. Perhaps this is why Asheville consistently ranks as one of the nation’s finest foodie cities.
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