Asheville Independent Restaurant Association Hosts Ninth Taste of Asheville
By Janet Moore | Photos by Lynne Harty
Flavorful. Fresh. Original. Local. These are words commonly used to describe Asheville’s culinary community by the likes of Bon Appétit, Southern Living, The Local Palate and Garden & Gun. Behind the accolades are Asheville’s independent restaurant owners, the men and women who put Asheville on the map as a nationally recognized culinary destination.
Once a year these entrepreneurs and flavor masters put their best small bites forward at The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association’s (AIR) Taste of Asheville. Since its inception in 2008, AIR’s Taste has grown to become the city’s premier sampling and sipping event. This year’s event, the ninth annual Taste, takes place at The Venue on Thursday, November 17. Early admission for VIP ticket holders starts at 6 p.m. The doors open for general admission ticket holders at 7 p.m. and the Taste runs until 9 p.m.
What can you expect? Plenty of food, for starters, with something to suit every palate. Stroll past the tables lining The Venue’s two floors and you can have your pick. Choose from delicate pastries, smoky barbeque, melt-in-your- mouth organic chocolates, southern comfort food, French favorites, colorful Indian curries, ice cream like you’ve never tasted it, local craft beers, hard cider and wines, among many other delights.
“Like our chefs, we try to add a different twist to every Taste of Asheville,” says Jane Anderson, executive director of AIR. “This year’s Taste will feature music. But I’m not talking about just any old music. I’m talking busker music, the kind that entertains and gets your feet tapping. We’re thrilled to have some of Asheville’s outstanding street musicians from the Busker Collective entertaining our guests.”
Over the years, Taste has grown to include brewers, vintners and cider makers. “One of the distinguishing features of AIR is the collaboration between local chefs, vintners, distillers and brewers,” Anderson says. “You see this on display at the Taste in the selection of hearty food that pairs well with spirits.”
The Taste is also an opportunity for Asheville foodies to talk to and meet the people behind the flavors they love. “We like to say that AIR is food in Asheville. The Taste gives us a chance for fans and chefs to get together and for us to showcase new AIR-member restaurants,” Anderson says.
The Venue is located at 21 North Market Street in downtown Asheville. VIP tickets (early admission) are $100; general admission tickets are $75. All tickets can be purchased at airasheville.com.
