The Good Epicurean
02 Feb 2023
Noteworthy chefs team up to give back
Story by MANDY MURRY
Blending the poetry of beautiful wine, the art of talented chefs creating outstanding dishes, and giving back to the local community is what the Good Epicurean is all about. This new culinary event series is a hospitality experience based around a love for food, wine and doing good.
The first Good Epicurean Dinner will be held in Asheville, NC at the restaurant Avenue M on March 24, 2023. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the YMCA Mobile Markets and Youth Transformed For Life at Grace Covenant Church. This dinner will help fund annual YMCA markets in Western North Carolina that provide free and healthy foods to community members in need. In addition, they are working with Grace Covenant Church, located across the street from Avenue M, to help feed inner-city children and fund after-school care and programs.
Good Epicurean events offer a ticketed “Meet-the-Chefs” cocktail reception the day prior to the event (March 23, 2023), providing an exclusive opportunity to socialize with the rockstar lineup. The dinner is a one-of-a-kind culinary event with a cocktail reception, great food, wine and spirit pairings, and surprises along the way.
The Asheville culinary team lineup for the March 24th dinner includes: Host Chef Andrew McLeod of Avenue M of Asheville, NC; Chef Tandy Wilson of City House, Nashville, TN, the James Beard Best Chef Southeast 2016; Chef Ashleigh Shanti of Good Hot Fish of Asheville, NC, the Bravo Top Chef Season 19; and Chef Travis Milton of Hickory, Nicewonder Farm and Vineyards of Bristol, VA. Each Chef will bring their unique experiences to create a spectacular night of perfected indulgences.
Tickets for the five-course dinner are $300. The Chef meet and greet is an additional $150 per person. There are a limited number of tickets available for both evenings, so plan ahead. Tickets can be purchased online at goodepicurean.com.
The question is, are you a Good Epicurean?
A Good Epicurean has luxurious tastes, especially in eating and drinking, and a desire to do “good” for the community. The team behind Good Epicurean dinners breathe, drink, eat and speak all things culinary and have put together this exclusive, noteworthy chef dinner right here in your backyard. Advanced sommelier, Nick Demos of Ampéli Wine Consulting, and Hospitality Consultant, Mandy Murry, have created these special events across the United States to raise money to give back to communities in the form of healthy food and education through established charities.
Avenue M was an obvious choice for the Asheville Good Epicurean dinner. This neighborhood restaurant provides an experience to its guests. First, the location provides a “feel good, doing something” in our community vibe. Second, the team works together to make it unique. Chef McLeod is brilliant in his creations, yet it is more than food. The team integrates welcoming conversation and impeccable service. It is upscale dining with a down-home feel. Third, their passion for helping others and doing good matches the Good Epicurean values.
Ralph Lonow, Avenue M Owner and Sommelier says, “We are thrilled to be hosting this dinner. Being able to give back to our community has always been our number one goal.”
Sponsors of the event include Omni Grove Park Inn, Tryon Distributing, D’Artagan Foods, Mountain Food Products, and Highland Brewing.
Good Epicurean plans on hosting a dinner in Brevard, NC later in 2023, as well as under the big sky in Montana. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit goodepicurean.com.
