Experience the vibrant culinary and craft communities of Asheville at Bite Me, a unique food culture festival. Join renowned chefs and local industry professionals as they showcase Asheville's vibrant dining scene. From panel discussions to seated dinners, tastings to late-night after parties, Bite Me offers a range of events to suit every food enthusiast. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the act of eating and engage with Asheville's unique food culture.
Introducing Bite Me: Asheville's New Food Culture Festival
( Credit to: Citizen-times )
Get ready to indulge in the vibrant culinary and craft communities of Asheville at Bite Me, a one-of-a-kind food culture festival. This exciting event is set to showcase Asheville's diverse dining scene and celebrate the love for food in the city. With a lineup of renowned chefs and local industry professionals, Bite Me promises to be a feast for the senses.
Asheville native and owner of JD Ellison & Company communications agency, Jefferson Ellison, had a vision to create a festival that truly embodies the unique food culture of Asheville. Alongside a team of event planning committee members, including Jennifer Rodriguez, Sarah Fiori, and Melinda Hanley, the concept of Bite Me was born.
But Bite Me is not your average food festival. It's a food culture festival that goes beyond just the food itself. It's about the vibrant dining scene and the people of Asheville who love to savor every bite. The festival will span five days, giving attendees the opportunity to choose from a wide range of events that cater to their interests and schedules.
A Playful Response: The Name Behind Bite Me
The name "Bite Me" was chosen as a playful response to those who initially doubted the concept of a new food culture festival. It reflects the festival's mission to engage with food and celebrate the act of eating. Bite Me will feature an array of events, from panel discussions to seated dinners, tastings to late-night after parties, vendor markets, and a Sunday cookout to close the festival.
Prepare to be delighted by the participation of renowned chefs such as Ashleigh Shanti, Cleophus Hethington, Luis Martinez, Lay Alston, and representatives from Vivian restaurant and Not Another Supper Club. Additionally, Danielle and Gabrielle Davenport, owners of Books & More (BEM), a New York bookstore specializing in literature about Black foodways and cookbooks, will be hosting a cocktail party.
A Citywide Celebration: Locations and Ticketing
Bite Me will take place in various locations across Asheville, with the main stage located at the YMI Cultural Center. The festival will culminate with a Sunday cookout at Martin Luther King Jr. Park downtown. Other events will be held in different venues across the city, with further details to be announced.
When it comes to ticketing, Bite Me offers a range of options to cater to different budgets and preferences. Attendees can choose between free and ticketed events, allowing them to decide how much they want to spend and how they want to experience the festival. A $149 ticket provides full access to programs, including cooking classes, panels, and late-night events. The vendor market and Sunday cookout will have free admission. Seated dinners will require payment directly to the participating restaurant, with proceeds going to the restaurant and special guest chef, as well as tips for the restaurant's staff.
Supporting Asheville's Culinary Talent: The Motivation Behind Bite Me
The driving force behind Bite Me is a desire to support the Asheville community and showcase its culinary talent. With his background in event planning, marketing, and networking, Jefferson Ellison founded Bite Me as a way to bring people together through food and celebrate the local food culture. The untimely closure of the Chow Chow food and culture festival earlier this year further fueled the determination of the planning committee to create a new festival that would fill the void.
To bring Bite Me to life, JD Ellison & Company is managing various aspects of the festival in-house, including marketing and event production. Early sponsors, such as East Fork Pottery, Wicked Weed Brewing, and the Asheville Downtown Association, have committed monetary and in-kind support. The festival organizers are currently raising funds and gathering resources before finalizing the guest list and event schedule.
Join the Celebration: Bite Me is More Than Just a Food Festival
Bite Me aims to provide a platform for culinary professionals to showcase their skills and inspire others to make a positive impact in the community. Beyond the delicious food and exciting events, Bite Me is a celebration of Asheville's vibrant food culture and a call to utilize available resources to create meaningful events that bring people together.
Mark your calendars because tickets for Bite Me will go live on April 24 at bitemeavl.com. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in Asheville's culinary scene and be a part of the Bite Me experience. For more information, follow Bite Me on Instagram @bitemeavl.