Asheville Wine and Food Festival this Weekend

 August 19 - 20, 2016   Asheville Wine and Food Festival   The festival begins with "Sweet" on the 19th, a decadent evening of desserts, sparkling wines, and beer at The Historic Grove Arcade. 

The Grand Tasting  is held at the US Cellular Center. Experience a remarkable variety of local and international wineries, local Beer City and area breweries, restaurateurs and chefs, farmers, and artisan food producers. Meet farmers, chefs, cookbook authors, and artisan beverage makers, as well as regional crafters. 

images courtesy of Asheville WIne & Food Festival

Culinary events will take place throughout the day including Blind Wine & Beer Tasting and Winery Competitions. At this festival you will see why Asheville NC is rated among the best food and wine experiences in the country. 

The Asheville Wine and Food Festival helps fund the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association.

Enjoy Asheville Cocktail Week and 21 Amazing Bloody Marys

Asheville Cocktail Week returns.  Get your tickets NOW for this popular event.

Best Bloody Mary Contest continues for a FULL WEEK, from May 1 to May 8, 2016.  Your Vote Determines the Winners.  Twenty-One 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 on May 8 for final results.

Visit any or ALL of the contestants for the Best Bloody Mary: 

• Bens Tune Up
  195 Hilliard Ave, Asheville, NC
• Biscuit Head
  417 Biltmore Ave #4F, Asheville NC
  733 Haywood Rd, Asheville NC
• Buffalo Nickel
  Address: 747 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC
• Carmels
  1 Page Ave, Asheville, NC  
• Early Girl
  8 Wall St, Asheville, NC
•  Junction
  348 Depot St #190, Asheville, NC
•  King Daddy's Chicken & Waffles
  444 Haywood Rd #101, Asheville, NC
•  Luellas
  501 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC
•  Mayfels
  22 College St, Asheville, NC
•  Over Easy
  32 Broadway, Asheville, NC
•  Salsa's
  6 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC
•  Smokey Park Supper Club
  350 Riverside Dr, Asheville, NC
•  Stoney Knob Cafe
  337 Merrimon Ave, Weaverville, NC
•  Strada
  27 Broadway, Asheville, NC
•  Sunny Point
  626 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC
•  Sweet Monkey
  133 S Main St, Marshall, NC  
• The Oyster House Brewing
  625 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC
•  The Red Stag Grill
  11 Boston Way, Asheville, NC
•  The Southern Bar & Kitchen
  41 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC
•  Tupelo Honey
  12 College Street, Asheville NC
  1829 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville NC
•  Wicked Weed
  91 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC

Launched in 2009, ASHEVILLE FEST celebrates several signature events.  Asheville Cocktail Week brings a dozen events over an expanded week, including Cocktail Theater, Spirit Dinners, Cinco de Mayo Afterparty, Guided Cocktail Tours, a "Derby Party", and a Best Bloody Mary Contest.

The Southeastern Distilling Expo is the largest gathering of Southeastern Distilleries in one location. This is an industry expo invite for owners, managers and bartenders.

ELIXIR, in its fourth year, 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 customers to get in front of bartenders making sample drinks in a structured competition environment, supporting their current bar tenders and discovering new favorites.

SWEET offers a decadent evening of desserts on Friday, again at the Historic Grove Arcade and the GRAND TASTING on Saturday is a smorgasbord of food, wine, beer, and spirits, culinary demonstrations, and a chance to meet authors, farmers, chefs, winemakers, brewers, and much, much more. If you are interested in the the Grand Tasting VIP event, know that an entire floor has been set aside that afternoon just for you! Come sample the best food scene in the south.

Get complete details for the  
Asheville Wine and Food Festival HERE

Find Asheville NC lodging, attractions and visitor information on our Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

 

Asheville Wine and Food Festival - Craft Cocktails, Decadent Desserts and Samplings of Asheville's Best Foods

August 20 - 22, 2015   The Asheville Wine and Food Festival for 2015  will be held in various locations with the main events on Saturday at the US Cellular Civic Center in downtown Asheville NC. Now in its 7th year the Festival celebrates both the elegant and the artisan culinary offerings from the variety of restaurants and chefs which make the mountains a true "foodie" destination.

The festival begins with "Elixir", a craft cocktail experience and mixology competition. Amuse and Essence are what's trending now. Skilled bartenders mix the spirits from both local and national distilleries to present their most creative offerings. Attendees will enjoy an amuse bouche along with the theater of the mixology while the competition is concluded and the most creative cocktail is determined.  Elixir takes place from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the MHCC Event Center.

"Sweet" is a decadent evening of desserts, champagne, wine, spirits and shopping. Begin the second evening of the Festival with dinner at one of Asheville's excellent independent restaurants, but save room for those special "Sweets". From 8 PM to 10 PM participants collect at the historic Grove Arcade, am architectural wonder,  in downtown Asheville where local bakers, chocolatiers, pâtissiers, wine vendors, brewers and distillers will line the corridors of the Arcade. Shops of the Arcade will be open late for browsing and buying in between indulging in the sumptuous fair that is "Sweet".

The final day of the Festival at the Civic Center includes The Grand Tasting, offering a delicious celebration and sampling of a wide variety of Asheville's food and beverages. VIP ticket holders are allowed early admittance at 1 PM catered by Whole Foods and Wines by Biltmore. VIPs also are treated to special events and a their own seating area to enjoy the show along with access to all the vendors/Exhibitors, hundreds of wines, and dozens of breweries, distilleries, restaurants and food producers.

General admission tickets holders begin at 2 PM  with access to all the vendors/Exhibitors, hundreds of wines, and dozens of breweries, distilleries, restaurants and food producers. Enjoy the many sessions of Blind Wine Tastings, Culinary Demonstrations, Mixology Demonstrations and meet Culinary Cookbook authors.

3:00 - 4:30 PM - The Asheville Scene Chefs Challenge includes 4 chefs, 1 hour and a secret ingredient. The Challenge is the conclusion of an iron chef style competition in which over a dozen of the region’s finest chefs fought to the finish to earn the right to compete at the Asheville Wine and Food Festival finals. 

Additional scheduled events:
1:00 - 4:30    Festival Wine Competition
1:00-2:30     Culinary Demonstrations
1:30 - 3:00   Malaprops Culinary Authors Book Signing
2:00 - 4:15    Mixology Demonstrations
1:15 & 3:00  Blind Wine Tasting Event   2 Sessions with Limited Seating
2:15 PM       Blind Beer Tasting Event   1 session, limited seating 

Comfortable shoes are recommended as these events cover all three levels of the Civic Center.

At this festival you will see why Asheville NC is rated among the best food and wine experiences in the country. 

The Asheville Wine and Food Festival helps fund the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association.

2015 Asheville Wine and Food Festival Offers "Amuse" and "Essence"

AMUSE and ESSENCE - the newest artesian experience in Asheville. Distilleries, Mixologists and Chefs. The chefs are bringing their best culinary talents and the mixologists are presenting their best creativity. You taste and judge the best chef and best mixologist. 

The top chefs move on to the GRAND TASTING at the US Cellular Center and the top mixologists get to expand their performance at ELIXIR. 

What is AMUSE? AMUSE is culinary artistry and showmanship preselected by the chef and mixologists, intensified by the competition and emphasizing smaller, more intensely flavored courses. “The amuse-bouche is the best way for a great chef to express his or her big ideas in small bites.” May 1, 2015 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Morris Hellenic Cultural Center. 

Why ESSENCE? Essence of Food and Drink can be found in the fusion of flavors making each dish and cocktail unique. Fresh local ingredients are presented for your enjoyment. June 26, 2015 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Morris Hellenic Cultural Center. The list of renown mixologists will again compete to give you the most creative and flavorful spirits to lift yours. From the aperitif to the nightcap, samples will be provided by competitors to give you a taste of regional talent. 

The list of renowned mixologists will again compete to give you the most creative and flavorful spirits to lift yours. From the aperitif to the nightcap, samples will be provided by competitors to give you a taste of regional talent including:

• Ambrozia Bar and Bistro Restaurant 
• Asheville Social Lounge & Tapas 
• Blackbird Restaurant 
• Buffalo Nickel Asheville 
• Chestnut Asheville 
• farm burger 
• King James Public House 
• LAB 
• Nightbell Restaurant &Lounge 
• Omni-Grove Park Inn 
• PULP 
• Sovereign Remedies 
• STORM Rhum Bar & Bistro 
• Sunny Point Café 
• Top Of The Monk 
• Zambra  

Meet the distilleries in North Carolina, including moonshine from Troy & Sons in Asheville, Cardinal Gin from Southern Artisan Spirits in Kings Mountain, Rum from Muddy River Distillery in Belmot, Apple Moonshine from Petzold Distilleries, Howling Moon in Asheville, and TOPO Organic Spirits from Top of the Hill Distillery in Chapel Hill and more. 

Come and enjoy the food and sample wonderful drinks and spirits. Chefs and Mixologists will compete to see who will be represented at ELIXIR and at the GRAND TASTING. The 2015 ELIXIR event is on Thursday, August 20 and the GRAND TASTING is August 22 at the US Cellular Center. Think of this as Theater. Purchase your tickets today: ashevillewineandfood.com 

Boilerplate: You will be noshing on award-winning amuse-bouche small plates provided by acclaimed Asheville Chefs for your pleasure. Meet the distilleries producing regionally and national brands and sample their spirits. A host of area bars and regional distillers will be on hand to serve samples of their latest and greatest concoctions. Watch locally recognized mixologists step out from behind the bar and into the spotlight for a mixology competition of craft spirits. 

During AMUSE (May 1) and ESSENCE (June 26), the competing Chefs and Mixologists will be judged by you, the attendee, to determine who will get a chance to be at ELIXIR. You get to enjoy the spirits, the food, and the action. 

Buy your tickets on-line or Contact: Kris Kraft, Festival Director contactasheville@gmail.com (828) 200-1502 and Melissa Mathews, PR/Marketing mmathews.email@gmail.com (828) 545-2511 or find more information at: www.ashevillewineandfood.com   (adults 21+ only).

WNC Chef's Challenge Quarterfinals in Asheville

April 16  WNC Chef's Challenge: Quarterfinals: Tomato Jam Café vs. DoubleTree Catering.Diner 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.

The Chef's Challenge just keeps getting better and better as local restaurant teams head for the ultimate prize to be earned during the 2013 Asheville Wine & Food Festival held each August. Western North Carolina is known first for its incredible mountain experiences, but the quality of food, art and entertainment run  a close second  and the WNC Chef's Challenge has become an acknowledgment of that high level of achievement.

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.

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.

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.

WNC Chef's Challenge for 3/5/13

March 5 -  WNC Chef's Challenge:  Dough - Chef Brian Ross versus Harrah's Cherokee Resort - Chef Michael Marshall.  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.

All Attendees at the March 5th WNC Chefs Challenge will have a chance to win 2 tickets to the Southern Conference Basketball Men's Quarterfinals on Saturday's March 9th Noon & 2:30 PM at the US Cellular Center.

Learn more about the Chef's Challenge and more Asheville restaurants and entertainment on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

WNC Chef's Challenge for 2/26/13

February 26   WNC Chef's Challenge:   Lexington Avenue Brewery - Chef Mike Fisera VS Ruth’s Chris Steak House - Chef Sean Fernandez.Diner 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.

New Asheville Restaurant Week Offers Great Food at Great Prices

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

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.Participating Asheville Restaurants include:

LUNCH: $15 two-course meal for one person
131 Main   308 Thetford Street in Asheville NC    Menu
The Blackbird    47 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville NC   Menu
Chestnut   48 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville NC   Menu
Corner Kitchen   3 Boston Way, Asheville, NC  Menu
Cúrate    11 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC    Menu
Red Stag Grill   11 Boston Way, Asheville, NC   Menu

DINNER: $30 three-course meal for one person
131 Main   308 Thetford Street in Asheville NC   Menu
The Blackbird    47 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville NC   Menu
Chestnut   48 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville NC     Menu
Corner Kitchen   3 Boston Way, Asheville, NC  Menu
Cucina 24 Restaurant   24 Wall Street, Asheville NC   Menu
Cúrate    11 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC   Menu
FIG   18 Brook Street,  Asheville, NC   Menu
The Lobster Trap   35 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC   Menu
The Market Place Restaurant   20 Wall Street, Asheville NC  Menu
Native Kitchen & Social Pub   204 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa, NC   Menu
Nona Mia     1050 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC   Menu
Pack's Tavern    20 South Spruce Street, Asheville NC
Posana Café    One Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC   Menu
Red Stag Grill   11 Boston Way, Asheville, NC   Menu
Reaz Restaurant & Wine Bar    28 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, NC   Menu
Ruth's CHRIS Steak House   26 All Souls Crescent, Asheville, NC  Menu
Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro   125 South Lexington Avenue, Asheville, NC
Sunny Point Café  6262 Haywood Road, Asheville NC  Menu
Vincenzo's Ristorante & Bistro  10 N. Market St., Asheville, NC   Menu

DINNER: $30 two-course meal for two
The Cantina     Menu
Carmel's Kitchen & Bar   1 Page Avenue, Asheville NC  Menu
Chai Pani Restaurant   22 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, NC  Menu
Frankie Bones Restaurant & Lounge   2 Gerber Road #101, Asheville, NC Menu

DINNER: $20 two-course meal for two 
Moose Café     570 Brevard Rd # 3, Asheville, NC    Menu
Wild Wing Café    161 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC   Menu

Small Plates Crawl in Asheville

February 21-23, 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM - the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) presents the Small Plates Crawl. It's always difficult to choose among the many remarkable restaurants in Asheville, so the small plates crawl helps ease the dilemma with an opportunity to enjoy multiple meals in miniature versions.

participant Tupelo Honey Cafe

Dozens of Asheville's finest restaurants will be serving up small portions of their best cuisine with menus, priced from $3 to $8. This is the perfect opportunity to sample taste treats from Asheville eateries that you may have missed in the past. If you haven't experienced the Foodtopian Society, then this is a perfect time to do so.

Two contests will be offered as part of the Crawl - one for the most restaurants sampled and the other for photographers. . The lucky person with the most restaurant validations at the end of the weekend will win a Grove Park Inn Getaway. For photographers there are two different categories to enter with 3 cash prizes for each.

Participating restaurants are located in downtown Asheville, Biltmore Village and North, South, East and West Asheville. A map and list of restaurants is available on the website. Get a link for the Asheville Small Plates Crawl and other Asheville NC information HERE