Asheville – Local restaurateurs are introducing fresh ventures to Asheville’s food scene.
Crumbl
The cult-favorite cookie chain began with a single store in Logan, Utah in 2017. Following its massive success, Crumbl Cookies are now 200 locations large in 32 states. Crumbl boasts classic and original cookie flavors, including churro, chocolate cruch and an award-winning chocolate chip. Its evolving rotating menu of more than 120 cookies. In addition to its staple chocolate chip and sugar cookies, the bakery sells four featured cookies a week. This tactic is used to keep customers coming back for the next new treat.
Their newest flavor, cornbread, is a tasty, southern-inspired treat. The cookie is covered in a warm honey butter glaze and topped with a dollop of honey buttercream frosting and drizzled honey.
An Instagram comment said about the cornbread cookie, “It’s so good. I had it for breakfast. I regret nothing.”
Local franchise owner Josh Petty is working to open Asheville’s first location in the Westgate Regional Shopping Center. Petty is soon embarking on an eight-week construction schedule. The grand opening is predicted for this holiday season, between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
It was the delicious cookies that solidified Petty’s decision to open a Crumbl, he told the Citizen-Times.
“I got exposed to this particular franchise a couple of years ago and was blown away about how tasty and good they were,” Petty said to the Citizen-Times. “I’ve always been sort of a gourmet in the kitchen and I do most of the cooking at home, in particular, I do a lot of baking. It’s been a side interest of mine.”
The oversized cookies are intended to be shared and mini-sized treats are also available. Crumbl will deliver sweet treats and offer in-store pickup.
“Their corporate mission is sharing the world’s best cookie with close friends and family,” Petty said to the Citizen-Times. “If you can imagine any of your favorite desserts delivered to you in a cookie format, this is that.”
North Carolina Wine Academy
The North Carolina Wine academy is joining a lineup of award-winning cuisine on Wall Street in Downtown Asheville. The retail store and education center is moving into the former Well Played Board Game Café. Co-owner Yellymary Moltavo is a Court of Masters Sommelier and a WSET Level 3 certified Specialist With Distinction.
The NC Wine Academy will sell retail wines in the front of the shop; the selection focuses on Virginia and North Carolina wines. It will also offer international picks.
Moltavo also serves as the director of education at the academy. Courses for professional and career development will be offered, including a level 1-2 in wine as certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, as well as courses for the general public. Courses take place in classrooms in the rear of the building that can hold 30 students. Other unique courses include the art of wine and cheese pairing and how-to charcuterie board.
There will also be a private event space and tasting room, wine lockers and a wine dispensing machine. There is a bar, but it is mostly for demonstrations with no traditional wine service. Classes begin in early October; to sign up, go to www.ncwineacademy.com.
Cúrate’s Cooking Classes
Widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in the southeast, Cúrate is in the media spotlight as a partner of Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network.
The restaurant’s award-winning chef, Katie Button, launched a Techniques for Cooking Workshop series on the Magnolia app, a subset of Discovery. The network’s app features tutorials from craftsmen across many disciplines, from florists to textile designers. Button’s series dives into meal prepping as she shares techniques from her own kitchen. Learn fundamental skills as Button, “explores the origins and stories behind different ingredients.”
Cook Cúrate in the comfort of your kitchen with the freshly launched “Cúrate at Home.” Chef Button and her team ship house-made food products and Spanish specialty goods nationwide. Packages offer full dining experiences, from classic tapas to gazpacho by the quart.