Fantastic Cooks for Carolina Dinner Series

The devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina in a dire situation. Recognizing the urgency, over twenty 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, including Jacob Sessoms, Peyton Barrell, Trevor Payne & Matt Dawes, will join the New Orleans restaurants to share what they are going through as they rebuild. Events begin on November 6 and continue through the holidays. Reservations are required and can be made HERE.

 

“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.

 

Chef Adolfo Garcia with The Caribbean Kings and Chefs Edgar Caro and Alfredo Nogueira

Location: La Boca

Time: 6:00 pm 

Asheville Visiting Chefs: Chef Jacob Sessoms & Chef Peyton Barrell 

*supported by Cathead Distillery, Inland Seafood and Thompson Meats

 

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

 

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 

 

Chef John Harris

Location: Lilette 

Asheville Visiting Chefs: Chef Jacob Sessoms & Chef Trevor Payne

 

Chefs Donald Link, Stephen Stryjewski, & Ryan Prewitt, Link Restaurant Group 

Location: Cochon Restaurant at Calcasieu
Asheville Visiting Chefs: Chef Jacob Sessoms & Chef Trevor Payne

 

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 

 

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

 

Chef EJ Lagasse

Location: The Wine Bar at Emeril’s 

 

Chef Phillip Lopez

Location: Galatoire’s

 

Monday, December 2
Chef Susan Spicer

Location: Rosedale 

*supported by Cathead Distillery & Inland Seafood

 

December TBD: 

Chef Justin Devillier 

Location: La Petite Grocery

Asheville Visiting Chef: Chef Peyton Barrell