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HERITAGE FIRE BRINGS LIVE-FIRE COOKING EVENT AND EXCLUSIVE COLLABORATION DINNER TO ASHEVILLE JULY 17 AND 19 AS PART OF THE 2026 HERITAGE FIRE x WHISKIES OF THE WORLD GLOBAL TOUR

Tickets Now on Sale for Open-Air Festival Featuring Top Local Chefs, Open-Flame Cooking, Premium Whiskey Tastings and the Heritage Fire Dinner Series Hosted by Chefs Angel Palacios and Brett Suess at La Bodega by Cúrate

Flames will ignite, chefs will compete and guests will feast as Heritage Fire takes over Asheville, N.C. on Sunday, July 19. The all-inclusive walk-around tasting event brings together the region’s top chefs, pitmasters, farmers, ranchers and culinary artisans for an afternoon celebrating Asheville’s renowned food culture. Guests will enjoy live-fire cooking, premium whiskey tastings and chef-crafted bites showcasing the region’s farm-to-table traditions, Appalachian influences and thriving culinary community. The main event takes place at Pisgah Brewing Company, 2948 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain, NC 28711. New this year, the weekend will also feature the Heritage Fire Dinner Series on Friday, July 17, an intimate collaborative dining experience hosted by Chefs Angel Palacios and Brett Suess at La Bodega by Cúrate. Tickets are available attoursbya21.com.

Produced by Tours by a21, Heritage Fire is part of the Heritage Fire & Whiskies of the World Tour, a 13-city festival series spanning the United States and Europe. The tour features three distinct event experiences: Heritage Fire, a live-fire culinary celebration; Whiskies of the World, a premier spirits showcase featuring leading whiskey brands from around the globe; and Whiskey & Fire, an immersive event that combines both concepts into one unforgettable experience.

Asheville is a natural fit for Heritage Fire, where exceptional ingredients and culinary craftsmanship take center stage. From mountain farms and artisan producers to acclaimed chefs and craft beverage makers, Asheville offers an authentic culinary landscape that makes it an ideal setting for a celebration of food, fire and flavor.

“Heritage Fire is about celebrating the culinary identity of each destination we visit,” said Brett Friedman, founder and CEO of a21. “Asheville’s food community is rooted in local farms, exceptional craftsmanship and a spirit of creativity that makes it one of the country’s most exciting culinary destinations. We’re looking forward to bringing together chefs, producers and guests for an unforgettable afternoon of live-fire cooking and hospitality.”

Guests will enjoy a walk-around tasting experience featuring dishes prepared over open flame by acclaimed chefs from Asheville and across the Southeast, including Melinda Vetro of Old Europe Pastries, Jason Sweeney of Asheville Proper, Christopher Holden of Claywood, Geoffrey Howlett of Biltmore Estate, Michael Lewis of Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse, Michael Reppert of The Blackbird Restaurant, Tyler Slade of Bargello, Rakim S. Gaines of Capella on 9, Austin Tisdale of Wildwood Still, Brett Suess of Stupid Events, Scott Linquist of Xico Asheville, Sujitra “May” Chubthaisong of Thai Pearl Restaurants and Brooke Adams of Finest Deli.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite dish of the day. The chef receiving the most votes will earn the title of Heritage Hero, securing a place among the standout chefs of the tour. Winners from select events advance to the Heritage Hero Grand Finale Presented by Visit Greenville, S.C., where the year’s top chefs compete for the ultimate title of Heritage Hero of the Year.

Heritage Fire Dinner Series
Price: $200
Date: Friday, July 17
Access: 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Location: La Bodega by Cúrate, 32 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville, NC 28801

• Intimate seated dinner at La Bodega by Cúrate
• One-night-only collaborative menu by Chefs Angel Palacios and Brett Suess
• Multi-course menu inspired by Asheville’s local ingredients and seasonal flavors
• Thoughtfully selected wine pairings with each course
• Limited-capacity dining experience
• Exclusive Heritage Fire weekend kickoff event

Early Entry
Price: $159
Access: 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Pisgah Brewing Company

For guests seeking the ultimate Heritage Fire experience, Early Entry admission includes priority access to the event and exclusive bourbon tastings featuring Justin’s House of Bourbon, the renowned boutique spirits retailer known for offering one of the world’s largest collections of rare and vintage bourbon.

• Priority entry before General Admission doors open
• Exclusive early tastings of premium spirits, including selections from Justin’s House of Bourbon
• Additional time to sample dishes from participating chefs and pitmasters
• Unlimited live-fire food tastings
• Unlimited whiskey, bourbon, wine, beer and craft cocktail tastings
• Access to live-fire cooking demonstrations and culinary experiences
• Commemorative tasting glass

General Admission
Price: $109
Access: 4:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Pisgah Brewing Company

• Unlimited live-fire food tastings from top chefs, pitmasters and culinary artisans
• Unlimited whiskey, bourbon, wine, beer and craft cocktail tastings
• Access to live-fire cooking demonstrations and culinary experiences
• Commemorative tasting glass

Attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

The tour proudly partners with Event Zero Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering positive environmental and social impact within the events industry. Through this collaboration, the series supports initiatives focused on reducing environmental footprints, promoting sustainable event practices and community engagement.

For tickets and additional event information, visit toursbya21.com.

ABOUT HERITAGE FIRE

Heritage Fire is a nationwide live-fire food festival showcasing the talents of top local chefs, pitmasters, and culinary artisans. In 2026, the tour will expand internationally with its first overseas event set to debut in London. Each event features an open-air, walk-around tasting experience where all dishes are prepared over live flame, celebrating sustainable sourcing, whole-animal cooking, and regional ingredients. Known for its strong sense of place, Heritage Fire reflects the unique culinary culture of each host city through its lineup of chefs and flavors, complemented by curated wine, beer and spirit tastings.  After savoring a diverse array of dishes and beverages, attendees vote for their favorite dish of the day. As the grand feast concludes, the chef who accumulates the highest number of votes earns the title of Heritage Hero. Winners from selected Heritage Fire events advance to the Heritage Hero Grand Finale, where the year’s top chefs compete for the title of Heritage Hero of the Year.

ABOUT WHISKIES OF THE WORLD

Whiskies of the World is one of the country’s leading spirits festivals, celebrating whiskey in all its forms, from smoky Islay scotches and small-batch American bourbons to innovative world whiskeys and emerging craft distilleries. Guests at Whiskies of the World events enjoy guided tastings, meet-the-maker moments, educational masterclasses, and access to hundreds of pours from both household names and up-and-coming producers. The experience is designed for both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike.

ABOUT WHISKEY & FIRE

Whiskey & Fire is a collaborative event experience that brings together Heritage Fire and Whiskies of the World in select markets. The format pairs premium whiskey tastings with elevated flame-cooked cuisine from top local chefs and pitmasters, creating a dynamic celebration of food, drink and community.

ABOUT a21:

a21 is a full-service live experience agency, specializing in event operations, production, marketing, corporate sales, and brand activations for live experiences. Founded in 2006, a21’s portfolio includes internationally recognized events and festivals in South Florida and throughout the US: Food Network South Beach & New York City Wine & Food Festivals, Sunfest, Palm Beach Wine & Food Festival, Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Heritage Fire, and Whiskies of the World National Tours, AMP’s suite of Art Fairs, International Wine & Spirits Competition and more. Learn more at https://www.teama21.com/.

Press Release