Updated June 2022.
Food lovers come in as many varieties as the food itself. The Chow Chow Festival in Asheville, NC, which debuted in 2019, was created to highlight the unique eating habits and culinary practices of the Southern Appalachia region. What does this mean? Award-winning chefs create a delicious spread while bringing awareness The event will mix diverse flavors created by award-winning chefs while also bringing awareness to both the lack of and the waste of food.
Events will include farm dinners, tours and brunches, chef demonstrations, and much more. For 2022, the festival will be spread out over three weekends: June 23 – 26, August 4 – 7, and September 8 – 11. You may choose to purchase tickets for each event separately or obtain a weekend pass giving you access to all events. With so much to choose from, you will want to plan your getaway, so book your room now.
Chow Chow Asheville Mission
Chow Chow Asheville is a non-profit organization with many sponsors that help make the Chow Chow event possible. Following the initial festival in 2019, discussions were held and there was feedback that the profile of the contributors did not truly mirror the community. As a response, their mission became crystal clear — a commitment to focus their creative and culinary efforts on the identity of the region. With that, Chow Chow Asheville pledges that 95% of all monies collected through the festival are reinvested in the community.
This year’s schedule includes personal stories of entrepreneurs of color, an Appalachian Pride Brunch, and a handmade tamale workshop.
June 23 – 26 Weekend Events
Thursday, June 23
Opening Party @ Atelier Maison, 5:30-8:00 pm, $100/person
Enjoy the savory, sweet, and otherwise unique offerings of 15 chefs, and 10 beverage producers, while shopping the marketplace with handcrafted items.
Friday, June 24
Diaspora @ Atelier Maison, 5:30-8:00 pm, $60/person
Diaspora speaks to the movement of populations, usually by forced migration. And where they go, their traditions follow. Enjoy flights and bites while listening to the unique stories of the contributing chefs.
Saturday, June 25
Appalachian Homemade Wines Seminar @ Botanist & Barrel, 9:00-11:00 am, $25/person
Botanist and Barrels hosts a celebration of their Blue Ridge style of ciders, fruited sours, and wines.
Entrepreneurs of Color @ Atelier Maison, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, $60/person
Meet amazing entrepreneurs of color working in our culinary, beverage, hospitality, and maker communities, and learn about the challenges and opportunities they face while sampling flights and bites.
Food as Medicine @ Devil’s Foot, 6:00-9:00 pm, $150/person
Enjoy dinner while engaging in a discussion of land-body-health issues.
Sunday, June 26
Cherokee Fry Bread Workshop @ Asheville Masonic Temple, 9:00-11:00 am, $50/person
Removed from their lands and their food resources, tribes were forced to survive on government-issued rations including flour, salt, and oil. This workshop is led by members of the Bigwitch Indian Wisdom Initiative and Eastern Bank of Cherokee Indians.
Appalachian Pride Brunch @ Smoky Park Supper Club, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, $125/person
More than ⅓ of all LGTBQ+ Americans live in the South, and this Drag Brunch is designed to celebrate Appalachian Pride.
Sunday Supper Series: Food @ Atelier Maison, 4:00-6:30 pm, Free (donations welcome)
This free, served buffet is meant to stimulate conversation surrounding different approaches to food security and justice.
August 4 – 7 Weekend Events
Thursday, August 4
Chow Chow Movie Night: Ratatouille @ Rabbit Rabbit, 7:00-9:00 pm, Free
Join this family-friendly movie night at Rabbit Rabbit. Bar open, taco truck available.
Friday, August 5
Around the Campfire @ WNC Farmers Market, 5:30-8:00 pm, $60/person
Enjoy flights and bites of campfire food created by chefs representing multiple cultures. The focus is on current efforts to ensure Mother Nature is welcoming to everyone.
Saturday, August 6
Handmade Tamale Workshop @ White Labs, 9:00-11:00 am, $50/person
Tamales celebrate the original forms of convenience food. Learn how different wraps have been used from corn husks to banana leaves.
Nourishing Community @ WNC Farmers Market, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, $60/person
Enjoy flights and bites while learning about the power of urban and community gardens.
Sowing Seeds of Equity @ Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 6:00-9:00 pm, $150/person
This sit-down dinner provides a forum for discussion about the challenges farmers of color face in obtaining the resources required to succeed.
Sunday, August 7
Cooking with Scraps Seminar @ Asheville Masonic Temple, 9:00-11:00 am, $25/person
Frugality is one of the hallmarks of the Appalachian kitchen. This seminar discusses the reduction of kitchen waste as a celebration of cooking style.
Corn: A Cross-Cultural Celebration @ Highland Brewing Company, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, $125/person
This seated brunch highlights a chef’s discussion of the diversity of corn.
Sunday Supper Series: Shelter @ WNC Farmers Market, 4:00-6:30 pm, Free (donations welcome)
This family-friendly meal focuses on the basic human need of shelter. Each chef will create dishes that to them, taste like “home.”
September 8 – 11 Weekend Events
Thursday, September 8
Food Stories @ Smoky Park Supper Club, 6:00-9:00 pm, $150/person
Five community leaders are paired with chefs to create an evening of food and stories that unfold over five delicious courses.
Friday, September 9
Dynamic Women @ Smoky Park Supper Club, 5:30-8:00 pm, $60/person
A dynamic event providing flights and bites along with stories of both the trials and triumphs of how these women built their businesses and lead initiatives.
Saturday, September 10
Zero Proof & 100% Delicious Seminar @ Devil’s Foot, 9:00-11:00 am, $25/person
This fun seminar shows how to create craft cocktails that are alcohol-free.
From Our Heart To Yours @ Smoky Park Supper Club, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, $60/person
Chefs and beverage makers share how they started their businesses from home. Flights and bites will be served.
The Mystery of Malinda Russel @ Smoky Park Supper Club, 6:00-9:00 pm, $150/person
Explore the legacy of the first known black female cookbook author while feasting on a seated gourmet dinner.
Sunday, September 11
Easy As Pie Workshop @ Baked Pie Company, 9:00-11:00 am, $50/person
A hands-on workshop teaching how to create your own custom fresh pie.
Taking Care @ Smoky Park Supper Club, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, $125/person
Hear important stories of mental health care and its intersection with food during this multi-course dinner.
Sunday Supper Series: Water @ Smoky Park Supper Club, 4:00-6:30 pm, Free (donations welcome)
While gathering over a served buffet, learn about the challenges of water scarcity. Chefs are challenged to create courses with the least amount of water possible.
The Chow Chow Festival in Asheville, NC is a community event meant to appeal to everyone, stretching beyond the city limits. The event’s ideal and message are also bigger than the schedule and locations, making Wildberry Lodge Bed and Breakfast a card-carrying member of this community.
The spirit of the event is about our interconnectedness and environment. Like Chow Chow Asheville, we care about sustainability, clean water, and maintaining the beauty of our surroundings. The lodge logs and water from our 700-foot-deep well testify to our commitment to our Blue Ridge Mountains. These mountains are our home.
Because Chow Chow Asheville’s and Wildberry Lodge’s beliefs align so well, we’re sure many visitors to the festival will appreciate the quiet and relaxing atmosphere of our bed and breakfast. Just 12 miles from Asheville, guests enjoy a retreat with gorgeous views, luxurious guest accommodations, and genuine hospitality. We also serve great chow. Our four-course gourmet breakfasts are homemade goodness that will sweeten your culinary experience. Savor the mountains with us.
