NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina in a dire situation. Recognizing the urgency, over 20 New Orleans chefs and restaurant owners have united to create Cooks for Carolina. This dinner series will provide crucial support to independent restaurants and restaurant employees in Asheville and Buncombe County. Each New Orleans restaurant will send 100% of the proceeds from its individually created event to the nonprofit Explore Asheville’s Always Asheville Fund, which is coordinating the distribution of grants to small, independent restaurants in Asheville and Buncombe County. Several North Carolina chefs will join the New Orleans restaurants to share what they are going through as they rebuild. Events begin on November 6th and continue through the holidays. Reservations are required and can be made online (see details for each restaurant below).
“We know what they are going through in North Carolina, and we know what it’s like to be waiting for potable water,” said Chef John Harris, chef-owner of Lilette and Bouligny Tavern and local organizer of Cooks for Carolina. “Asheville is such a beautiful part of the country, and I love spending time there, so it’s especially important to me to support these chefs and restaurants. I want to see them survive and come back stronger.”
“First and foremost, I want to express our deep gratitude to all of the New Orleans chefs and restaurateurs for their interest in helping us,” said Jacob Sessoms, founder and chef-partner at Perfectly Ad Hoc Hospitality Group in Asheville, NC. “We know they understand our situation better than anyone, and it’s no surprise how quickly they jumped to our aid; it’s part of what makes New Orleans so special.”
“We are deeply moved by the outpouring of support from New Orleans and its hospitality industry,” said Vic Isley, president & CEO of Explore Asheville. “The Always Asheville Fund has been set up to help our small independent business owners with emergency grants that will aid in sustaining our deeply rooted hospitality community. This support will help keep Asheville’s restaurants open into the future.”
Explore Asheville, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s 501(c)(6) nonprofit, has established the Always Asheville Fund to help small independent travel and hospitality businesses throughout Asheville and Buncombe County recover from the devastating impacts and aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Generously supported by New Orleans & Co. and the Higgins Hotel.
For details, up-to-date event information and reservations please visit www.cooksforcarolina.com.
Cooks for Carolina Dinner Series (as of Oct. 29):
Sunday, Nov. 10
Chef Adolfo Garcia with The Caribbean Kings and Chefs Edgar Caro and Alfredo Nogueira
Location: La Boca
Time: 6 p.m.
Asheville Visiting Chefs: Chef Jacob Sessoms & Chef Peyton Barrell
*supported by Cathead Distillery, Inland Seafood and Thompson Meats
Monday, Nov. 11
Chefs Aaron Burgau, Patois; Justin Devillier, La Petite Grocery; Maggie Scales, La Boulangerie; Ashwin Vilkhu, Saffron; Sophina Uong, Mister Mao; and Michael Gulotta, MoPho
Location: Paradigm Gardens
Asheville Visiting Chefs: Chef Jacob Sessoms & Chef Peyton Barrell
Tuesday, Nov. 12
Chef Edgar Caro with Chef Jimi Setchim, Brasa
Guest Chefs: Alfredo Nogueira, Cane & Table and Tony Rodrigue, Acme Oyster House
Location: Brasa
Asheville Visiting Chefs: Chef Jacob Sessoms
*supported by Cathead Distillery & Inland Seafood
Sunday, Nov. 17
Chef John Harris
Location: Lilette
Asheville Visiting Chefs: Chef Jacob Sessoms & Chef Trevor Payne
Tuesday, Nov. 19
Chefs Donald Link, Stephen Stryjewski, & Ryan Prewitt, Link Restaurant Group
Location: Cochon Restaurant at Calcasieu
Asheville Visiting Chefs: Chef Jacob Sessoms & Chef Trevor Payne
Wednesday, Nov. 20
Chef Sophina Uong
Guest Chefs: Brett Monteleone, Junior’s on Harrison and Wilfredo Avelar, Mawi
Location: Mister Mao
Asheville Visiting Chef: Chef Jacob Sessoms
*supported by Cathead Distillery, Inland Seafood & French Truck Coffee
Wednesday, Nov. 20
Ti Martin and Lally Brennan with Chef Meg Bickford
Guest Chef: Rob Mistry, Gautreau’s
Location: Commander’s Palace
Asheville Visiting Chefs: Chef Jacob Sessoms & Chef Matt Dawes
*supported by Cathead Distillery
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Chef EJ Lagasse
Location: The Wine Bar at Emeril’s
Tuesday, Nov. 26:
Chef Phillip Lopez
Location: Galatoire’s
Monday, Dec. 2:
Chef Susan Spicer
Location: Rosedale
*supported by Cathead Distillery & Inland Seafood
Monday, Dec. 2:
Chef Justin Devillier
Location: La Petite Grocery
Asheville Visiting Chef: Chef Peyton Barrell
