ASHEVILLE – A local gourmet chocolate company is preparing to open a new location. A new cat promotion business is on its way. A chef-filled event returns for a four-day race. And local restaurants welcome a new leader.
More chocolate for everyone
The French broadcaster based in Asheville is taking to the streets with its first store out of the hill town.
In the fall, French Broad Chocolate will open at the Ponce City Market in Atlanta. The retailer will be on the first floor of Central Food Hall and will be in good company with neighbors including LaRaya’s Bodega & Five Daughters Bakery.
French Broad Chocolate is a “bean to bar” craft chocolate company founded in 2006 by Jill Schiffington and Dan Retigan in Asheville. It remains a popular destination for artisan chocolates made directly from cocoa.
“Opening the Ponce City Market has been a dream of ours for many years,” Skeffington said in a news release. “It’s a big milestone, and we’re excited to be part of the food community in Atlanta.”
Atlanta Chocolate Shop’s signature, handmade chocolate inventory will include Bone Bones, Chocolate Bars, Gift Sets, Baked Goods and Sapphire Chocolate.
South slope:The South Slope Kitchen is following customer demand, knocking out the traditional restaurant style.
Ponce City Market is located at 675 Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta. Other businesses in the market with Asheville connections are Spice Wala, Buti Wala, Nani Ka Peri Peri Chicken and H&F Burger.
Visit the Asheville boutique and lounge of French Broad Chocolate at 10 S. Pack Square. Load more on chocolate and 821 Riverside Dr.
For details, visit poncecitymarket.comand frenchbroadchocolates.com.
A great place to play
Asheville’s own space will be dedicated to cooling with cats.
Cats at Play Cafe are expected to open at 10-12 Eagle Cent’s center in late summer / autumn.
The business will serve as a “covered and comfortable” rescue lounge for pet cats and a boutique and social cafe for humans.
A suite will serve the purpose of creating an “enriched and nurturing environment” for 15-20 cats to live in until they move into a permanent home. Guests will have the opportunity to see and get to know the kittens and possibly adopt someone into their family.
Restaurant:Dog-friendly restaurants in Asheville rank for canine hospitality.
Even if they are unable to adapt, people will be welcome to hang out and take pictures with their new Feline friends.
One cafe will serve another suite and will serve snacks and drinks to customers. The menu will include coffee, tea, non-alcoholic beverages and local craft beer, wine and baked goods, which can be taken to the lounge.
The gift shop will feature cat-themed items, including costumes, gifts, decorations and locally crafted art.
Visit catsatplaycafeasheville.com for details and follow Instagramcatsatplaycafe on Instagram and facebook.com/catsatplaycafeavl/ on Facebook.
Cracking down
The wait is over for the return of the cooking event series, Chow Chou.
The first of Chou Chou’s three weekends is June 23-26. The schedule is full of tasting, seminars, workshops and much more with Chefs.
Tickets for the Diaspora, the Apalachine Pride Brunch and the Sunday Super Series have sold out, but tickets to other events are still on the table:
- The Summer of Chow Chow Opening Party will be June 23 at 5: 30-8 pm at $ 100.
- The Appalachian Home Made Wines Seminar will be held on June 25 from 9-11 a.m. to 25 p.m.
- Businesses tasting the colors on June 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be at $ 60.
- Food as Medicine Workshop June 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. for 150.
- Cherokee Fry Bread Workshop on June 26 from 9-11 a.m. at $ 50.
Check out the chef lineup and buy tickets at chowchowasheville.com.
New direction for the restaurant
The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association has announced Laura Sheets McCall as the new executive director of the non-profit organization.
McCall will continue its mission of advocating for more than 140 AIR members and providing resources and support.
Earlier this year, Kim Murray was replaced by longtime director Jane Anderson as interim director following his retirement. Murray served on the AIR board for many years and shared his experience as a restaurant owner. Murray has resigned to focus on his business, Creek Side Tape House.
“I’m delighted to be serving a community whose mission is one of cooperation and sustainability,” McCall said in a news release. I was attracted to AIR because I believe it is an important part of Asheville’s fabric. I am grateful for the continuation. The organization’s job is in advocacy and education, and connecting its members and staff to the resources needed to keep their kitchens open. “
McCall enters with a broad background and education in nonprofit leadership, communications and public administration and experiences public speaking, lobbying, consulting and advising for a variety of reasons.
According to AIR, McCall’s past roles include vice president of Suited for Change, a nonprofit organization that serves historically disadvantaged women, and a policy consultant on HIV / AIDS in West Virginia. He also owns an editing and writing service.
“We’re really excited about Laura,” Caroline Roy, chair of the AIR board and co-owner of Biscuithead, said in a news release. “Her expertise, knowledge, and fresh perspective are well-suited to our organization. Laura’s broad background in executive director roles, advocacy, and education will help us maintain our current momentum and open the door to some exciting new possibilities.” Can
For details about AIR, visit airasheville.org.
Tiana Kennell is the Food and Food Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter / Instagram @ PrincessOfPage. Please help with this type of journalism with a Citizen Times subscription.