Cúrate Chef a James Beard Semifinalist

Asheville Chef One Step Closer to a Prestigious Culinary Award

Cúrate chef and elBulli alumna, Katie Button, just recently discovered she was a semifinalist for a coveted James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Award. 

The James Beard Awards have been dubbed "The Oscars of the food world" by Time Magazine and they are designed to shine a spotlight on the best and brightest talent in the food and beverage industry.

Button is a contender for the Rising Star Chef of the Year award, and anyone who has dined at Cúrate knows why. Her foodtopian selection of authentic spanish tapas has made her restaurant a popular hot-spot in Asheville. Want to dine there? Make a reservation well in advance! 

Here's what to expect at Cúrate - from their website:

The cuisine at Cúrate is first and foremost traditional Spanish. From Jamón ibérico to croquetas de pollo to flan with caramel sauce, those who have traveled to Spain will instantly be transported back to one of the lively tapas bars beloved throughout the country.

Would You Survive?

Survival Skills Workshops Offered At Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park will host a three-part workshop series on survival skills this spring to better equip people for outdoor adventures and short-term survival in the wilderness. 

Part 1: Basic Wilderness First Aid

Saturday, March 10; 9am-noon

Don’t let minor incidents stop you in your tracks—keep moving in the great outdoors with these essential first aid skills taught by local naturalist Clint Calhoun.

Part 2: Wild Edibles

Saturday, April 28; 9am-noon

Be prepared to hike off the beaten path for about two hours identifying and learning about wild edibles. Sheila Dunn, will whet your appetite with a presentation on favorite edible fungi, such as chanterelles, morels and chicken of the woods. Listen closely when she discusses the few poisonous mushrooms that lurk in our hills!

Part 3: Shelter-Building

Saturday, June 9; 9am-noon

Take an in-depth look at various types of primitive shelters and how to construct them out of materials readily available when you’re caught outside with no place to go. Includes practical, hands-on construction of shelters. Led by local naturalist Clint Calhoun.

Register online at chimneyrockpark.com/events or call (828) 625-9611.

Asheville's New Bike Repair Station

Asheville's Biking Community Sets An Example For Other Cities

The River Arts District is now home to an ingenious new bike rack. However, you don't park your bike here, you repair it. Here's an excerpt of the story as reported by the Eco Localizer:

"The sturdy metal rack is designed so that your bike can hang off the ground by its seat post to make basic bicycle repairs and adjustments with much less difficulty. Creating this type of smart transportation illustrates what sort of progressive municipality the city of Asheville is."

Here's the full story.

Vote Asheville Most Romantic

We have some big news to share! Asheville has been chosen as a finalist for About.com's Readers' Choice Awards 2012 for Most Romantic Destination USA/Canada. We're up against some tough competition including Maui, Savannah, Quebec City and Miami Beach, and now it's an all-out race to secure as many votes as possible for Asheville.

Cast your vote by clicking here.  The voting period begins today, February 22, and extends until March 21. You can vote once per day so please bookmark the site and visit as often as you can. Please spread the word through your social channels so that your friends can vote as well.

Thanks in advance for your help in making Asheville a top destination for romantic getaways!

Vote Here!

The Hunger Games Craze Hits Asheville

Go Behind The Scenes in Asheville: Survival Skills, Celebrity Suites & Star Stalking

Jennifer Lawrence on the set of The Hunger Games.

With the Academy Awards just days away, all eyes will be on the red carpet this week, but Oscar buzz will quickly shift to movie predictions for 2012. Critics are touting The Hunger Games. Set in post-apocalyptic Appalachia with a gripping (read: addictive) storyline rife with star-crossed teenage romance, kill-or-be-killed drama and moonshine-induced benders, the movie is poised for box office success. Fans may soon be clamoring for a closer look at its Blue Ridge Mountain location.

That's where we come in. Follow the footsteps of the famous Tributes in your escapades around Asheville, or get your heart pumping with mountain wilderness adventures that will put your survival skills to the test. We even have the scoop on where the stars stayed while in Asheville and you can book the same rooms! Follow the link below to find out more information and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Learn More About The Hunger Games Travel Packages

Nominate Biltmore + March Deals

Tell Budget Travel That Biltmore Tops The List

Budget Travel is currently conducting an online poll to find the 15 top spots to take your kids before they turn 15. The criteria states that the landmark selected should be fun, educational and especially magical through the eyes of a child. 

Biltmore definitely fits the bill and we're asking for your support with a nomination.

In fact, Biltmore is currently celebrating the family with a special offer. Now through March 31, kids under 16 get in free!

Other special offers from Biltmore during the month of March include: 

• A free audio guide to Biltmore House with each admission ticket featuring stories of the Vanderbilts’ lives in America’s largest home.

 

• March Madness:  Wear your favorite sports team shirt (or hat, etc.) and receive $10 off adult regular admission of $45. Offer must be redeemed in person at Biltmore’s Reception and Ticket Center.

 

• $35 admission price if you book your visit online or by phone 7 days or more in advance of your visit. That’s a $10 savings off regular admission price.  www.biltmore.com or 800-411-3812.

 

• Special rates at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. Midweek rates starting at $159; and weekends starting at $199 in March. More details.

Don't forget to nominate Biltmore!

Taste Your Way Across Asheville

Asheville Small Plates Crawl Provides a Taste of Foodtopia

Good news for those foodies who have a difficult time deciding where to dine in Asheville. From February 21 - 23, 2012, the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) presents the Small Plates Crawl. 

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

To make the event even more interesting, there are a couple of contests you could win. The lucky person with the most restaurant validations at the end of the weekend will win a Grove Park Inn getaway. If you're a foodie shutterbugs you can enter your photos for a chance to win one of three cash prizes. 

Learn more.

National Truffle Fest Returns

National Truffle Fest Celebrates Third Year in Asheville

Chef Adam Hayes - Red Stag Grill

Renowned for its exotic aroma and flavor, the truffle has been celebrated throughout the years and across the globe. That celebration continues in Asheville as the National Truffle Fest returns February 23 - 25, 2012. Complete with dinners, wine pairings, classes and more, the festival is a must for true truffle aficionados.

From the events website:

"The National Truffle Fest provides a unique opportunity for gourmets, connoisseurs and bon vivants to experience in one weekend a wide range of truffle varieties in dishes prepared by award winning chefs using top quality American and imported truffles."

Special packages are available.

Hike Off The Beaten Path

Winter Views at Chimney Rock State Park

Experience the best in winter hikes! Chimney Rock State Park is hosting the first in a series of "Off the Beaten Path" guided hikes this Saturday, Feb. 18 from 1:00 until 3:00 PM. This Winter Wonderland themed hike is offered at no additional cost with paid park admission.

Our friends over at Chimney Rock had this to say about the hike: 

"The Park’s beauty changes with each season. Bare tree branches sparkle with frost and clear views reward wintertime hikers. Enjoy the serenity of Chimney Rock during the off season and learn how to recognize trees and shrubs without their leaves. Participants will see more than a dozen different trees along this easy 2-hour woodland excursion led by a trail guide. Meet in front of Cliff Dwellers Gifts by 1pm. Limit 20 participants."

For more information, contact: chimneyrockpark.com or 828-625-9611

Bluegrass First Class

Dailey & Vincent. © Scott Simontacchi

This weekend ushers in the 17th annual Bluegrass First Class at the Crowne Plaza Tennis & Golf Resort in Asheville. Blending local favorites with nationally known artists, this event will fill almost every area of the resort with top performers in the Bluegrass genre.

Here's the schedule of performers:

Friday:  

• Dailey & Vincent (2 BIG days)
• Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
• Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
• The James King Band

Saturday: 

• Dailey & Vincent (again!) 
• The Seldom Scene,
• Lonesome River Band
• Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice w/ Wyatt Rice on guitar.

Learn how to play! Saturday from 10am to 4pm, Wayne Erbsen will provide lessons for beginners and intermediates on banjo, guitar, mandolin and fiddle.

Also on Saturday, Tom McKinney will do his popular banjo set-up workshop in the Swannanoa Room of the Crowne Plaza Resort starting at 1:00PM.

Hotel reservations: Call the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville, NC 800-733-3211.

Tickets are on sale now. Both Reserved Seating and General Admission tickets will be available online.  Visit  www.bluegrassfirstclass.com

Valentine Flash Mob

Photo by Felicity Green. Image source

Nothing says love like a down pillow to the face. That was the gist of last year's Anti-Valentine's Day pillow fight flash mob in downtown Asheville. It was the perfect event for all the single ladies (and men), needing to vent their frustration over the commercialization of relationships. (Hey, if you're going to be bitter, at least have fun doing it, right?)

Enjoy this video from last year's event. 

Where to Dine This Valentine's Day

It has long been said that the way into a person's heart is through their stomach. Asheville chefs are well aware of this, and can unlock those emotions hidden away behind a growling tummy with some amazing food. For a romantic date with taste, take your honey out to one of these great Asheville restaurants this Valentine's Day.

(Click for Valentine's menu)

• Plant
• Solace
• Chai Pani
• The Market Place
• The Morning Glory Cafe
• Frankie Bones

(Other places with Valentine's Day specials that do not have menus online)

• Lexington Avenue Brewery
• Avenue M

Mountain Moonshine Recipe

Moonshine has had a tumultuous history in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Corn whiskey, once a source of revenue by many mountain farmers, was outlawed early on in America's history. For hundreds of years, the practice of distilling this particular spirit had to be done in the darkness of night (hence the name moonshine).

These days, distilleries have come out of the darkness in Asheville. Troy & Sons Distillers began producing legal 'shine in 2010. This truly American spirit is a blend more modern and elegant than you would find from a deep-woods still. Their moonshine, made from a rare heirloom white corn, is ultra-smooth with hints of vanilla on the finish.

This new blend of Moonshine is taking the Asheville mixology scene by storm. Many local establishments such as Tupelo Honey Cafe and the Great Hall Bar at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa have created entire drink menus around this newly crafted spirit.

We recently met with Kenneth Pace, a sommelier at Grove Park Inn to get this warming drink recipe made with Troy & Sons moonshine. It's called the Valentine Rose and it's one of many tasty concoctions available on their menu. Enjoy!

Visit here for more moonshine cocktail recipes. Learn more about the history of moonshine in the mountains and discover how moonshine is made.

Win Tickets to SoCon

The Southern Conference Basketball Tournament will heat up the ExploreAsheville Arena at the Asheville Civic Center this March 2 – 5. Join the excitement and enter to win two general admission tickets good for any one session to the SoCon tournament. As a bonus prize, we’re throwing in two Go Blue Ridge cards, granting you free access to more than 30 attractions across the Asheville area, including Biltmore!

Winners will be selected each Friday from now through February 24. Good luck!

ENTER HERE!

Celtic Adventure Weekend

Gaelic Storm image by Jojo Marion

For those who enjoy music with a little Irish/Scots flavor, then the only place to be this weekend is at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa. The Celtic Adventure Weekend celebrates its fifth year with the finest in Celtic dance, literature, dance and music. This year's lineup of activities includes:

Friday night:

Midnight at Kittredge: This duo combines the talents of Andrew Finn Magill and Duncan Wickel. This is Friday night's opening act.

Seven Nations: This band has earned a reputation for being adventurous and having a charismatic stage presence. According the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, "Seven Nations taught a crowd of nearly 10,000 one important lesson: bagpipes rock."

Saturday:

Colin Grant-Adams On Saturday afternoon you can enjoy the music and stories of this Scottish songwriter and guitarist. 

Gaelic Storm Back by popular demand, this band promises to deliver another raucous, crowd-pleasing performance. By far, this is one of the hottest Celtic bands currently touring the country.

Other activities include Scottish border collie sheepdog demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, chair massages, guided history tours and live Celtic music throughout the Inn.

Visit the Grove Park Inn's website for more information or to book a package.

Paint the Town Green

Asheville will soon be the greenest restaurant city in the United States. It's expected that come spring 2012, the city will have more restaurants per capita with an official Green Dining Certification, adding another layer of awesome to the city's vibrant food culture. This is great news for the eco-conscious traveler seeking out businesses that embrace sustainable practices. 

Members of the Asheville Independent Restaurant association (AIR) are collaborating on a city-wide initiative. Their goal is to provide the foundation for Asheville to become a Green Dining Destination™ city, a program offered through the Green Restaurant Association (GRA). They'll achieve this goal through increasing their use of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and promoting energy conservation.

A significant number of AIR restaurants participating in the green restaurant certification, have either completed, or are in midst of, installations of solar panels for hot water usage. The AIR members working toward, or that have completed the GRA certification, are: 

• Bouchon
• Burgermeisters
• Fiore's  (two locations)
• Frankie Bones
• Homegrown
• Laughing Seed Café
• Jack of the Wood
• Luella’s BBQ
• Neo Cantina
• Posana Café
• Rosetta’s Kitchen
• The French Broad Chocolate Lounge
• The Corner Kitchen
• The Green Sage  (two locations)
• Tupelo Honey Café  (two locations)

Posana Café in downtown Asheville, the first certified restaurant in NC, is one of only eight existing GRA certified restaurants in North Carolina. Four of the eight restaurants are in Asheville, Posana Café, Tupelo Honey Café (both downtown and south locations) and The Green Sage, downtown.