“One of my top three personal food stories comes from chef Brian Canipelli of Cucina 24.”

“One of my top three personal food stories comes from chef Brian Canipelli of Cucina 24.”
A celebrated culinary artist and beloved community member and business owner, the chef left an indelible mark on Asheville.
In this week’s food news, Asheville mourns the tragic passing of one of Asheville’s most beloved and influential chefs. Also featured: a fundraising dinner, new downtown grocery store, Food Truck Boot Camp and more.
What was 2021 like for local chefs and food entrepreneurs? Xpress caught up with a few to get their take on another challenging year.
In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fred, Gaining Ground Farm lost 85% of what was in the ground and about 30% of its gross revenue for the season. Despite the heavy hit, the farm bounced back thanks to the support from locally owned restaurants.
, BBQ fest on the river and Contrada is back in business on Wall Street
Cousins Cuban Café launches in Black Mountain, Rhubarb and Cucina 24 reopen their dining rooms, The Omni Grove Park Inn’s National Gingerbread House Competition offers a virtual cooking class series, and more local food news.
Burial Beer Co. joins forces with Cucina 24 chef Brian Canipelli. Also: Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival returns; Folkmoot pairs with Blind Pig Supper Club; TreeRock Social Cider House holds its inaugural Cookie-Chill-Off and plenty more Asheville food news.
City Bakery will move all of its bread-making operations from Biltmore Avenue to Fletcher in a matter of weeks; Cucina 24 adds lunch service and a sour beer dinner with Wicked Weed’s sour brews; food writer Sheri Castle stops into Rhubard to celebrate her new release; and Villagers hosts a glass on medicinal ghees.
Chefs Nate Allen of Knife & Fork, Brian Canipelli of Cucina 24 and Cynthia Wong, formerly of Rhubarb, were all named semifinalists for the 2016 James Beard Awards on Feb. 17.