Nominate Top Asheville Chefs for a James Beard Award

Know any Asheville chefs who deserve national recognition for their delectable dishes? Have you had a meal this year that knocked your socks off, that swept you off your feet, that was worth writing home (and all your friends, your boss, perfect strangers) about?

Those of us who love Asheville know that what's going on in our restaurants is remarkable, and not just by small city standards. The James Beard Awards recognize the best of the best in culinary arts across the U.S., and right now, you have the opportunity to nominate your favorite chefs in 19 categories including:

• Best Chef in the Southeast, 
• Rising Star Chef of the Year, 
• Outstanding Chef, 
• Best New Restaurant, 
• America's Classics and 
• Outstanding Bar Service.

Two Asheville chefs--Katie Button of Curate Tapas Bar and Jacob Sessoms of Table--have been named semifinalists in years past. Let's make 2013 the year that Asheville brings a James Beard home!

You can nominate online here, and nominations are accepted until December 31.

Gingerbread Winners on GMA

Grove Park Inn Delivers Winning Gingerbread Houses For Good Morning America Appearance.

Tune into Good Morning America tomorrow morning for a chance to see featured winners from this year's National Gingerbread Competition. Every year the Grove Park Inn has the delicate duty of transporting the confectionery creations from Asheville to New York City. Here are some behind the scene shots of the GMA hosts alongside the Grove Park Inn team.

The other entries of the gingerbread competition are on display at Grove Park Inn through January 2. 

Santa, pictured here with the team from Grove Park Inn,
was spotted backstage at Good Morning America.

Asheville Wine Experience

[Indulge] New Year's Eve Decadence High Above Asheville.

This New Year's Eve, take part in the ultimate Asheville dinner party, complete with a ten course meal, five delicious wines and a spectacular view from atop the Hotel Indigo. The Asheville Wine Experience is a new series of wine dinners, combining a top chef with a wine expert in one amazing location.

What to expect 

Chef Denny Trantham and Wine Expert Kevin Schwartz, both long-time revolutionary presences at the Grove Park Inn, will be joining forces for a luxurious French-style réveillon, each dish corresponding with a sigh for the year behind and a wish for the year ahead, in an exclusive tenth floor suite at the Hotel Indigo.

From 8pm till midnight, enjoy an amazing food and wine pairing to the musical illustrations of celebrated jazz vibraphonist Paul Babelay. A spectacular view of Asheville will stretch out below you and if you register on or before Christmas Eve, you will have the possibility, through a one-time drawing, of being awarded your own night at the Indigo.

The cost is $150, and benefits will go towards creating a scholarship for 12-21 year old youths seeking culinary and taste education. Space is limited, so reserve quickly! For further information, visit www.ashevillewineexperience, or contact ashevillewineexperience@gmail.com 828-301-2792 / 828-777-8916.

The Suites at Hotel Indigo.

All Aboard!

Ride the Rails of Asheville Newest Attraction. 

Asheville has a new passenger train tour, and this month they're inviting the public to hop aboard for the first annual "Jingle Bell" trolley train ride. Join Mr. & Mrs. Claus on Saturday, December 22 for cookies, hot cocoa and a ride down the newly renovated Craggy Mountain Line. You'll also get a chance to see some of the historic railroad cars that have been acquired and restored to their former glory.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 828-808-4877 or buy them the day of the event. More information can be found on their website.

A map of the 2.45 mile stretch of railroad that has been restored.

Top 5 Ways to Ring in 2013 - Asheville Style

New Year's Eve Celebrations in Asheville.

The new year is only two weeks away, which means it's time to find  a party to attend, make some resolutions to break  and pretend to know more than two lines of Auld Lang Syne. 

Asheville has some awesome events to help ring in the New Year. Here are the best bets for the evening.

Last Night of Candlelight at Biltmore

This year, the final night of Biltmore’s Candlelight Christmas Evenings coincides with New Year’s Eve. Timed entries to tour Biltmore House by candlelight begin between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., with final entries varying between 8 and 10:30 p.m. Reservations are required. The home’s grand fireplaces will be lit, along with 68 decorated Christmas trees, the largest being the 35-foot-tall evergreen in the Banquet Hall. Choirs will perform music of the season in the glass-domed Winter Garden, while musical duos and small ensembles will entertain in the upper floors of the house. Candlelight Christmas Evening tours include access to Antler Hill Village, The Winery, estate shops and all of the estate’s restaurants. 

Old Farmer's Ball

Contra dance your way into the new year with a throwback to the 1960's. Re-live the decade of love and flower children with waltzing to the flowy music of Flying the Tune. Also enjoy a performance by the Great Bear Trio and caller Beth Molaro. It takes place at the Warren Wilson campus from 8:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Dress code: Groovy attire. 

Downtown Asheville 

The streets of downtown will be alive with party-goers and there are plenty of different happenings to choose from. Pack's Tavern, Tressa's Jazz and Blues Club and the Grove House Entertainment Complex will all have their annual blowout celebrations. Looking for a low key place to celebrate? Try the Battery Park Book Exchange, Santa Wine Bar or the w xyz bar at the Aloft hotel.

New Year's Eve at Grove Park Inn 

The famed resort presents two outstanding entertainment options. Reserve a room through their New Year's Eve package (two night minimum) and get tickets to either the "Toast to 100" Classic or the "Centennial Blast Off" party. The package also includes a New Year's Eve meal at one of their restaurants. Book a package now.

For the Kids 

Looking for a family-friendly activity? The Fun Depot is offering a late night celebration where for $15, kids can have three hours of unlimited play. Arcade games, putt-putt, laser tag and indoor go-karts are among the popular activities available. The diner will be open for business and live music is planned. The event takes place from 10 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Need a place to stay after the celebration? Here are some Asheville area hotels to check into.

Vadim Bora Tribute

New Collector's Book Celebrates the Life & Art of an Asheville Icon.

A guest post by Marilyn Ball.

Although I never knew the late artist Vadim Bora personally, his legacy can be seen all around Asheville. He moved to the mountains in 1993 and his contributions to the local art scene include “Cat Walk” for the Asheville Urban Trail, “On the Mend” (a 10-piece life-sized figurative sculpture) for Mission Hospital’s Reuters Children’s Outpatient Center and “Cornelia and Cedric” — a bronze sculpture of Cornelia Vanderbilt and the Vanderbilt family dog Cedric at Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village visitor area (photo below).

Last week I picked up a copy of the new, beautiful retrospective catalog from the recent “Vadim Bora - A Visual Legacy of Expressive Freedom: From Initial Spark to Final Form” exhibit at Warren Wilson College. The catalog is 50 fully illustrated pages plus accompanying text by his wife and curator of the exhibit Constance Richards (Bora) and co-curator, Professor Dusty Benedict of Warren Wilson College. 

Vadim’s work is moving and vibrant, and reflects the work of masters. This retrospective catalog makes a wonderful gift and is a must-have for all art lovers.

To order, go to www.vadimbora.com or purchase at the Asheville Art Museum shop. 

"In the end, life is quite short. What you leave behind is your legacy, and for an artist — that is his soul poured onto canvas, sculpted into clay and stone." ~Vadim Bora, (1954-2011)

Cornelia & Cedric. Look for this sculpture at Biltmore's Antler Hill Village.

"The Kiss"

Learn more about Asheville's thriving art scene.

The Avett Brothers Asheville Itinerary

The Avett Brothers Tell Their Favorite Places To Spend Time in Asheville.

How do The Avett Brothers spend their time in Asheville? In a recent interview with Slacker Radio, the duo rattled off a number of their favorite Asheville music venues, restaurants and coffee shops. They also spoke about Asheville's cultural appeal and what makes this mountain mecca such a special place to visit.

Watch the first three minutes of this video to hear where Seth and Scott recommend you visit while in Asheville. If you're one of their loyal stalkers fans, be sure to bookmark this page for the next time The Avett Brothers tour comes through Asheville. If you spot them around town, let us know in the comments below. We'll add them to our list of celebrity sightings in Asheville.

A Christmas Deal From Hotel Indigo

Asheville's Hotel Indigo Offers the Griswold Family Discount.

Click the photo to see full details.

Here's a clever new deal from the Hotel Indigo in downtown Asheville. They're offering refuge from those crazy family gatherings with a 15% discount during the Christmas holiday. This special is valid from December 23 - 26, 2012, with a two night stay.

If you want to book this deal, call 828-239-0239 and mention the Griswold discount.

Stay in Style
When booking, consider an upgrade to one of their sparkly new suites located on the top  floors of the hotel. Posh decor and outstanding views are obtainable from any room in the Indigo, but the suites have built-in luxury making them worth the splurge. 

Here are some photos from their newest studio suite. Note the floor-to-ceiling windows and the deep soaking tub. Some suites come with a balcony overlooking the city and surrounding mountains. Ask about your options when making your reservation.

Is this hotel all booked up? Here are some other Asheville deals you can check into.

Fall Photo Contest Winners

Winners of the Fall in Love with Asheville Photo Contest Announced.

We asked for your best and brightest fall color photos and you delivered. We received over 140 entries in our Fall in Love with Asheville photo contest, and after a full scale public vote and intense scrutiny from our panel of judges, we can now announce the winners.

The grand prize winner receives $300, an Asheville prize pack and the photo will grace the cover of Asheville's Facebook page. Second and third place will receive $50.

First Place, Grand Prize Winner - Stephen Lody; Enka, NC

2nd Place - Eric Zetterholm; Asheville, NC

3rd Place - Terry Barnes; Franklin, NC

Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mention - Blaize Stewart; Bolivia, NC

Honorable Mention - Gary Caton; Asheville, NC

Honorable Mention - Ethan Collins; Jonesville, SC

Honorable Mention - Jacob Matkin; Asheville, NC

Honorable Mention - Ann Perkins; Asheville, NC

Honorable Mention - Sharon Stevens; Union, SC

Best of the Rest
There were so many wonderful photos submitted and the competition was fierce. Don't be disheartened if your photo didn't make the cut. We'll be featuring many of your great photos during the 2013 fall foliage season.

Pisgah IPA Named Top Beer in NC

Congratulations to Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain, NC.

In a recent online article, The United States of Beer: The Best Brew From Each of the 50 States, Pisgah's India Pale Ale was rated number one for the great state of North Carolina.

Pisgah Brewing, a favorite among Asheville locals, craft their tasty organic beers using fresh hops from Hop'n Blueberry Farm, located only a few miles away from the brewery. And these are some serious beers. Their high gravity options such as Tripel, a classic Belgian Ale, has an ABV of 9.5% while their IPA boasts a more modest 7.5%. However, even their tamer beers can pack a heady punch so consider yourself delightfully warned. 

Be sure to try the Pisgah Pale Ale, a staple among Asheville's taverns, and don't be shy about tasting their incredible seasonal brews. Benton's Bacon Stout, Blueberry Wheat and their Pumpkin Ale are all amazing if you can find them (they go fast). Your best bet is to visit the brewery and get a pint straight from the source. Cheers!

Learn more about Asheville's craft brew culture and why we were voted Beer City USA for four years running.

Pin Your Way to Asheville

New Prizes Offered in Asheville's Holiday Pinterest Contest.

Two weeks are all that remain in Asheville's Spice Up Your Holidays contest. Create the best holiday-inspired pin board, and you could win a grand prize vacation to Asheville. Find the full contest details here.

New Prizes Added

The grand prize includes a two night stay at the Homewood Suites in Asheville, two trolley tour tickets, and a deluxe foodie prize pack filled with locally produced jam, mustard, spices, a Tupelo Honey Cafe cookbook and more. NEW BONUS PRIZE: The grand prize winner will also receive a $100 Visa gift card.

NEW: 2nd and 3rd place winners will each receive a $50 VISA gift card.

NEW: Honorable Mentions: Five of the best pinners will receive beautiful Tupelo Honey Cafe cookbooks.

Don't Forget! 

To be eligible for the grand prize you must remember to submit the URL of your pinboard onto our official entry form. Without the URL we will not be able to judge your board.

Shining Examples

We've seen some good contenders come through so far. Here are some examples of what we're looking for...

Enter Here!

Holiday Lights Festival in Asheville

Lake Julian Lights Up During 2012 Christmas Light Display.

Looking for a great spot to see holiday lights in Asheville? Lake Julian is hosting their 12th annual Festival of Lights, a week-long celebration, beginning this week. There are two ways to enjoy the event. 

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

For two days only, December 5 & 6, the festival will be open to walkers only. The holiday stroll will take your through well-lit woods with live music serenading pedestrians during the event. Gates are open from 6-8 pm and admission is $5 for adults and free for children.

Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing. There will be a cozy fire along the half-mile walkway as well. The path is paved and there are a couple of inclines so parents are invited to bring along a stroller or wagon. However, please leave all pets at home.

Lake Julian Festival of Lights

Enjoy over 50 animated light displays and thousands of colored lights from the comfort of your vehicle. This driving tour runs from December 7 through the 23rd. The cost is $5 per car, $10 per van and $25 per motorcoach. A portion of the proceeds benefit Buncombe County Special Olympics.

Directions 

From Asheville take I-26 East to Exit #37. Turn left at the light onto Long Shoals Road. Travel 1.1 mile to Overlook Road traffic light. Turn right on Overlook Road Extension. Travel .1 mile.  Park entrance is on the left.

Here are some other holiday events happening around Asheville.

Can't Look Down

Asheville Featured in New R&B Music Video.

Atlanta based R&B singer, Anthony Davis, recently released a new music video for his song, Can't Look Down. The video features Davis singing while perched in a hot air balloon over Asheville. Davis is best known for his work with India.Arie. Together they received a Grammy nomination for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for their song, Words.

Biltmore Marathon: Register Now!

Registration Fills Quickly For Asheville's Very First Marathon.

If you want to take part in Asheville's inaugural marathon on Biltmore Estate, then you need to register right away. Over 1,000 entrants have already signed up leaving less than 300 spaces remaining. The race will be held March 3, 2013.

The entire race will be held on the grounds of the Biltmore, taking runners onto areas of the estate the general public never gets to see. Marathoners will explore America's largest backyard by running through hardwood forests, across meadows and around estate gardens. Expect both paved and dirt roads along the course.

Spectators are invited to join runners for the event. The cost is $32 and includes daytime admission to the Estate and House. Regular daytime admission is typically $59.

Need a place to stay? Check with these official hotels offering special marathon rates and transportation. If those hotels are all booked up, then here are some alternatives.

Asheville's New National Honors

Asheville Certified as First Green Dining Destination in America.

Congratulations are in order for the new pioneers of environmental sustainability in Asheville's restaurant scene. The Green Restaurant Association has officially certified Asheville as the greenest dining destination in the country!

For many years the food culture in Asheville has been laser-focused on sourcing locally-grown ingredients for the best in farm-to-table dining. This year, Asheville eateries banded together to take a new approach to sustainability in the restaurant industry, and their efforts have made Asheville the first destination to receive this type of designation.

How did this come about? A coalition formed between the Green Restaurant Association, the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association and the Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute. These organizations rallied, and successfully encouraged, local restaurateurs to eliminate inefficiencies in water usage, energy consumption, waste reduction, recycling and a number of other categories.

16 Asheville restaurants that met the rigorous certification standards:

A view of the newly installed solar panels over 
Posana Cafe and the French Broad Chocolate 
Lounge in Asheville.

• The French Broad Chocolate Lounge
• Homegrown
• Laughing Seed Cafe
• Luella's Bar-B-Que
• Plant
• Neo Cantina
• Posana Cafe
• Rosetta's Kitchen
• Strada Italiano
• The Corner Kitchen
• The Green Sage (2 locations)
• Tupelo Honey Cafe (2 locations)
• Cedric's Tavern on Biltmore Estate
• Bouchon

The list is sure to grow over time. Keep up with all the latest developments at http://dinegreenasheville.com. They also have a handy mobile friendly site.

Dickens in the Village

Photos of the Day: Dickens Festival in Biltmore Village.

The Dickens Festival is an annual event in Biltmore Village and features over 300 roaming musicians, horse drawn carriage rides, hot roasted chestnuts and old fashioned holiday cheer. Thanks to Marilyn Ball for capturing these photos.

Here's a full schedule of events.

Here are some other events in Asheville that celebrate holiday spirit.