Asheville’s Food Pioneers
Volume
21
/ Issue 13
Cover Design Credit:
Megan KirbyCover Photography Credit:
Jayson Im
It wasn't that long ago that Asheville was a dining desert, with only a few hardly culinary trailblazers willing to try their luck downtown. Xpress takes a look at the history and evolution of our local food scene (and if we missed a pivotal moment or person, let us know).
arts
WNC Pottery Festival celebrates 10 years
From hand-built to hand-thrown, from raku to wood-fired, clay work covers a wide variety of techniques, finishes and forms. A good bit of that diversity will be on display at…Star-studded Southern rock band Trigger Hippy makes its Asheville debut
Southern rock is alive and well. And to make sure it stays that way, The Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman, Joan Osborne (best known for her hit song “One of…State of the Arts: Asheville muralist exhibition at WCU
A four-person crew containing some of Asheville’s most notable muralists and painters recently took to the walls of Cullowhee. But those artists — Gus Cutty, Hannah Dansie, Alli Good and…Smart bets: UWABE — Art in the Park
Theater devotees and outdoor enthusiasts unite for two evenings of free alfresco performance. UWABE — Art in the Park meanders throughout Grove Park (338 Charlotte St.) to present three dances,…Smart bets: Sean Gaskell and Will Ridenour
Six-stringed instruments in West Asheville are great, but how about 21-stringed instruments from West Africa for a change? Sean Gaskell and Will Ridenour perform on the kora — an ancient…Smart bets: Resonant Rogues’ variety show
You’ve got to admire the forethought of Resonant Rogues, an Asheville band holding a variety show to kick off its Kickstarter campaign. The event, called Revue Nouveau, promises an “unparalleled…Smart bets: The Ghost Will See You Now
Lots of things are spooky — abandoned summer camps, lonely playgrounds, creaky attics and dusty old barns. But local author Randy Russell may have picked the creepiest locale of all…Asheville artist teaches three-day workshop at Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair
“I live in downtown Asheville. I don’t have sheep,” says local artist Lisa Klakulak. “I don’t know that much about animals.” But she does know about the fiber culled from…Australian alt-country artist Lachlan Bryan tours the US
When internationally touring musicians embark on a string of U.S. shows, New York is usually their starting point. Not so for Australian alt-country artist Lachlan Bryan. His tour begins and…food
Asheville’s food pioneers: Charlie Jackson and the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
There was a time when people didn’t generally consider downtown Asheville as a dining destination. ASAP, which launched in 2000 as a local food campaign to help reverse the loss…Blazing the trail: Asheville’s food pioneers
It's easy for a foodie to get spoiled in Asheville. Whether grabbing dinner downtown or shopping the tailgate markets and grocery stores for the makings of a homemade feast, the…Asheville’s food pioneers: A-B Tech trains tomorrow’s chefs
A-B Tech’s culinary and hospitality curricula, started in 1968 and accredited by the American Culinary Federation, were the first such programs in North Carolina. Of course, there were far fewer…Asheville’s food pioneers: The legacy of Laurey Masterton
When Laurey Masterton opened her restaurant and catering company storefront, Laurey's, in 1990, most of Asheville was still degenerate. Barley's wouldn't start slinging pizzas until four years later, but Laurey's…Beer Scout: Sierra Nevada opens to the public
For the past few months, anyone has been able to tour the new Sierra Nevada brewery in Mills River — sort of. The tour, called a “hard hat tour,” was…Asheville’s food pioneers: Blue Ridge Food Ventures nurtures local startups
It’s Saturday morning, and Blue Ridge Food Ventures is redolent with the sharp scent of fresh-cut ginger. Located on A-B Tech’s Enka campus, the big industrial space has become the…Circling the wagons: Lease dispute could reconfigure local food truck scene
Since 2012, the Asheville Street Food Coalition has rented and managed The Lot at 51 Coxe Ave., where assorted food trucks dole out delectable edibles to several hundred customers a…Asheville’s food pioneers: John Swann rejects the idea that bigger is better
John Swann has no problem admitting his aversion to big business. “I’m not a good corporate guy,” he says. “I’m way too entrepreneurial.” Katuah Market owner Swann has had his…Asheville’s food pioneers: An interview with three of the founders of Asheville Independent Restaurants
One of the most notable aspects of Asheville’s culinary community is its focus on camaraderie rather than competition. Tangible proof of this phenomenon is the success of Asheville Independent Restaurants, an…Delivering the doughnuts: Vortex, Hole are ready to dish out the goods
The highly anticipated openings of two doughnut destinations — Vortex and Hole — are finally upon us. First to officially open, Hole began serving customers on Thursday, Oct. 16. Located in a…living
In the Spirit: Celebrating Samhain with Coven Oldenwilde
WHAT: The 20th annual Public Witch Ritual, organized by Asheville-based Coven Oldenwilde WHEN: Friday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m.-10 p.m. WHERE: French Broad River Park, 508 Riverview Drive, West Asheville. WHY:…The home front: Local veterans host Oct. 25 town hall on Agent Orange
From 1965 to 1970, the United States dumped some 13 million gallons of the dioxin-based compound on Vietnam. The effects of exposure still linger.news
In the trenches: Forum spotlights Buncombe County school board candidates
School board members are, in fact, the elected officials most closely connected to local school systems’ day-to-day operations. An Oct. 9 forum highlighted the issues and the candidates for Buncombe…New conference examines African-American history in WNC
UNC Asheville and the YMI Cultural Center will host the inaugural African-Americans in Western North Carolina conference Oct.23-24. Organizers say the free event invites the public to hear scholars from…Local North Carolina Senate candidates wrangle over issues
Candidates hoping to represent Western North Carolina in the state Senate debated Oct. 16 at UNC Asheville, highlighting differences on a range of issues, from education and the economy to…opinion
Climate Change Poem
Asheville Disclaimer 10/22/14
Asheville police chief embarrassed by speeding ticket errorsFacebook page features people of Asheville and WNC
That was wonderful coverage of “Humans of Asheville” [Oct. 8, Xpress]! I enjoyed the article. Coincidentally, I started a Facebook page called People of Asheville and WNC in April before…Thanks to Asheville and Creekside Taphouse
I wanted to write in say the biggest of all thank yous to the community of Asheville and the Creekside Taphouse. You might ask why I am forever in debt…The Gospel According to Jerry
The Asheville Tribune‘s recent commentary by Bill Fishburne, “Council Liberals Show True Colors in Tuesday Night Anti-military Vote,” implied that the Asheville City Council had deliberately screwed our servicemen and…Letters to the editor
How green can you get? I appreciated Rebecca Bowe’s “Green Scene” [Dec. 13] about the proposed “peak-demand” plant in Woodfin. Just looking at the artist’s rendering before I read the…