An annual farm dinner in Biltmore Village has caught the hungry eye of one local food fan and his foodie followers.
The Historic Biltmore Village accepted the award, “Fancy Meal of the Year,” for their signature dining event, “Farm to Village – Dining Under the Stars” during the first-ever live Stoobie Awards at the Masonic Temple on Monday, Jan. 28.
“We are proud and humbled to be awarded a Stoobie this year,” said Scott Kerchner, Event Chair of the Historic Biltmore Village Association and General Manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites in Biltmore Village. “It’s impressive to see eight uniquely different restaurants and breweries from the Village team together to create a multi-coursed dinner, so it was truly a team effort.”
The Stoobie Awards, an Asheville food scene tradition, are doled out each year in January, honoring culinary and hospitality excellence in Asheville and presented by Stu Helm The Food Fan and Ashvegas.
“When it came time to select the nominees and winner for my 2018 Fancy Meal of the Year award, the Dining Under the Stars dinner hosted by Historic Biltmore Village was first and foremost on my mind,” said Stu Helm, Stoobie Awards writer and originator. “What I expected to be a stuffy, formal meal with prolonged moments of boredom broken up occasionally by food, turned out to be the most enjoyable, delicious, unique, fun and elegant dinner of the year!”
Every September, Historic Biltmore Village restaurants, breweries and volunteers organize the Farm to Village Dinner to bring attention to the beautiful Village and local farms.
“The farm is literally brought to the Village as six local farmers partnered for event, and provided seasonal produce that the chefs creatively used in each plate,” Kerchner said.
What makes this event truly sparkle is its unique location.
A white tablecloth linens dinner set up for 100 people on one of the most well-traveled streets in the historic Village, Boston Way – all dining together under the stars.
“The outdoor seating, at one impossibly long table, with friends and strangers, sharing food, and basking in the dusky light, as the sun set behind the mountains and was seamlessly replaced by the soft glow of the Chinese lanterns strung above, made for an exceedingly lovely evening in all regards,” Helm said.
All proceeds also go to support Manna FoodBank, making this communal dining, truly for the community.
“While benefit events are not uncommon in Asheville, the Farm to Village dinner is unique in that guests enjoy a fabulous meal on a closed street of the iconic Biltmore Village, with live music and communal dining adding to the experience,” Kerchner said.
“Farm to Village – Dining Under the Stars” edged out other nominees “Drinking Like Ladies” Cocktail Dinner at Nightbell and Braised & Confit Pop Up Beer Dinner at East West Vintage Rental to be the crowned jewel of the 2018 fancy dinners in Asheville.
If you missed this award-winning “Fancy” dinner, don’t fret. The Historic Biltmore Village is excited to again host Farm to Village in September of 2019.