Interview with Knife and Fork's Chef Nate Allen - Final Four WNC Chef Challenge 2011 (so far!)

Clockwise: Chef Nate Allen of Knife and Fork; preparing the dish;

"made from scratch" ingredients; the #1 dish - Tempura ramps topped andouille sausage and a savory waffle;

preparing the Knife & Fork dessert; Team Knife and Fork wins! (All photos from WNC Chef Challenge - WNC magazine.)

Tour THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN during June (866-378-4769), and be our guest at this award-winning ten-table restaurant that serves gourmet farm-to-table cuisine. Chef Nate Allen and his wife, Wendy Gardner, opened up Knife and Fork in historic, small town Spruce Pine, NC, two years ago. This hometown favorite is rapidly gaining kudos from all over Western North Carolina. Nate kindly took a moment for an email interview with us.

(The Cove at Celo Mountain is located between the two historic "small-town America" communities of Burnsville and Spruce Pine. We office in Burnsville but consider both towns "home.")

We hear rumors that you were chef for high-profile clients like Reese Witherspoon, Toby Maguire, maybe Leonardo DiCaprio before you “came back home.” Is this true, and is this home? Someone told us Wendy is from Burnsville. Why did you go to Spruce Pine instead of Burnsville?

I am aware of rumours regarding my past employers. Something that has made me a commodity in the private cooking world is my respect for confidentiality. For five years before moving here I had the great opportunity to work/live/and travel with many of the hollywood elite. Thats as specific as I am willing to get. North Carolina has to me always been my home. My parents were both born in NC. I was born in the nations capitol. But never lived there. Then my list of addresses after birth reads like I was on the run. My father was transferred as often as every 3-5 years to a new state. Wendy and her family moved to Burnsville from Sarasota FL when she was three. I would say that she is from here but that really depends on who you ask around these parts.We moved back to Burnsville in June of 09. Initially we had not planned on opening a restaurant so soon. Instead, I planned to get a decent garden going, meet some other growers and begin a slow planning phase. As you know, Yancey was still a dry county in 09 and Spruce Pine was newly wet as of that previous April. I would not have a business were it not for the ability to have alcohol sales. Some one brought our attention to our current location a few days after our arrival. We met with the landlord and saw the trains (I love trains) and three days later we had our space. We also had a lot of work to do.

We understand you are on the Spruce Pine Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. We have had clients ask if Spruce Pine plans a Riverwalk with restaurants and shops like in San Antonio, TX – or do they plan to do some “sprucing up” with the railroad depot and maybe have train excursions similar to the one in Bryson City?

i am not on the board of the chamber in Mitchell. I am on the board of the Downtown Spruce Pine Mainstreet Assoc.. We have created a master plan for the town and have hopes for implementation. Our Director, Bryan Freeborn, is working diligently to help us chip away at small projects as we attempt to find the funding to reach our goals. I know that we are not using the river walk in TX as a model. The depot is unfortunately the property of CSX and they are not concerned with its appearance. I would like to paint it guerilla style in the middle of the night because it is an eyesore. A passenger train came through for the initial heritage festival here in Spruce Pine a number of years ago. It would be dreamy to have that be a regularity but CSX finds much more profit in the transit of our mountain tops than in half full passenger cars.

Where did you study the culinary arts? What is your approach/philosophy to your menu selection and presentation? We hear you prefer local, organic ingredients but know that you highlight special cheeses and beers from out-of-state as well. Will you try to stay almost exclusively with local, farm-to-table gourmet cuisine? By the way, you got huge kudos from one of our clients, who has a second home in Switzerland, with your tempura ramps (or so she called them.)

I trained at Johnson & Wales in Providence RI. My approach and philosophy are based on the idea of how we might be able to operate 100 years ago. No global economy or mass transit. We source our ingredients locally because it turns the changing seasons and their offerings into a celebration and a ritual of appreciation. I do not believe that I should be buying foreign tomatoes or any other vegetable just because the modern palate has come to expect everything and anything to be available at anytime. Real responsible living and the health and joy that they bring are anything but convenient. Wine and cheese and beer are fantastic and need to be sourced from outside of this specific region because no one is really doing that here. This tends to be an extremely acceptable exception to my general rule.

Would you be willing to share a recipe with us to put in the blog?

sure I would share a recipe. Any request? (This will appear in a future blog.)

We would love to hear your comments about the Chef’s Challenge. We are taking a lot of pride in your success and are so thankful you are here and that we as a local business can be the recipients of your talent.

The challenge has been fantastic. I love getting a chance to meet and work with other creative kitchen artists. i have made some great friends and i cannot wait to compete again on June 6th.

Is there anything you would like us to know in regards to your restaurant or plans for the future – like opening a second location in Burnsville!?

I have one plan for the future. I want to fill my restaurant and feed people great food while continuing to uplift the local agricultural community. i will not open another restaurant unless some benevolent human being pays for my dream space and my dream crew and acts only as a silent partner and I retain ownership and complete creative control.

We so hope you will attend the next round of the WNC Chef Challenge and support Nate and Wendy and Knife & Fork. "They do us proud!"

To order tickets for the Final Four WNC Chef Challenge on June 6

Video by Downtown Spruce Pine

Photos: http://www.wncmagazine.com/photogallery/wnc_chefs_challenge_2011_week_7

Photo/ WNC Interviewhttp://www.wncmagazine.com/wineandfood/allen

It's a Big Deal - Another Collaborative Effort Between Teens and Community

If you have read this blog, you know that we highly regard the community/high school liason that is so strong here. Our beautiful Mountain Heritage High School campus, which resembles a metropolitan community college, is approached on a winding, wooded drive past an old tobacco barn proudly displaying one of the Western North Carolina Quilt Trails Quilt Blocks, past a guard house and on through to what is considered the largest on-campus Habitat for Humanity Warehouse in North Carolina - and surely one of the largest on any public high school campus in America. It is here where community volunteers work alongside our teenagers to build a home for a deserving local family. In the art classes, our young people throw bowls for the Empty Bowl Benefit, whose founders call Burnsville, NC home now. They also paint Quilt Blocks for the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina, also headquartered here. The ecology class invites the community (and visitors) on yearly river tours to learn about our local eco system in this Blue Ridge Mountain area. The thespian teens act right along with very accomplished adults from Western North Carolina in our historic and acclaimed Parkway Playhouse.

The most recent collaborative effort between the community and school is building manicured hiking trails along the campus property. In the photo above, Tim Johnson of NC State Parks teaches "Sustainable Trails" to trail building volunteers (both students and adults) at Mountain Heritage High School. Best of all, this beautiful trail will be available to the community as a whole to enjoy.

It is this same concept of protecting, enhancing, and utilizing natural talent and beauty to share with others that was the genesis of The Cove at Celo Mountain. With our own 3 miles of manicured hiking trails along a rushing creek, beautiful waterfalls, and relaxing trout ponds, lean-to's for contemplation, reading, or photographing, 4 park areas with handcrafted furniture, fire pits and cooking areas, an art-commisioned, hand-forged front entrance gate, and one-of-a-kind Quilt Block (our owners underwrite this award-winning non-profit), The Cove at Celo Mountain brings the tranquility and beauty of nature to your front door - with the luxury and carefree superintendence of gated-community living. This leaves you time for enjoying the great outdoors around us, traveling, or joining in this remarkable cross-age collaborative communal work we do so well here in Burnsville, NC.

Experience our lifestyle and tour The Cove at Celo Mountain - compliments of the owners - during May and June. Call us about our Special Discovery Package. 866-378-4769.

TOP SUMMER CAMPS IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS NEAR ASHEVILLE, NC

The Toe River Art Camp For Grown-ups Only (see list below for top camps for the younger generations)- May 27-30 in Burnsville, NC
What better way to start the summer camping season than to send Mom, Dad or other adults to camp! "By the time participants leave the camp, which takes place May 27-30, they will have created projects in the following mediums: stained glass, pottery, mixed media sculpture and forged metal.

Instructors for the camp are: Claudia Dunaway (pottery), John D. Richards (mixed media sculpture), Deana Blanchard (stained glass) and Chuck Young (forged metal). All are noted artisans in their field and members of the Toe River Arts Council, as well as the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Campers will be treated to a welcoming cocktail party and light dinner Friday evening, and will work on two projects Saturday and two Sunday. Monday morning provides time to finish up projects before a "show and tell" to close the camp. In between art projects, campers are encouraged to take advantage of the natural wonderland that is Burnsville and Yancey County."

Then it is time for the younger generation to head off into this summer rite of passage. Drop the children off at camp, then come spend 3 days/2 nights with us in May or June, 2011, compliments of the owners, at THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN outside of Asheville. With 3 miles of hiking trails, trout ponds, waterfalls, 4 parks with cooking areas, an area set aside for residents to camp out with children or grandchildren - within this sanctuary setting - and rivers to raft, kayak, fly and float fish and mountains to hike, horses to ride, golf, and more - just outside this premier gated community - you will find that the best of camp experiences can become a part of the rest of your life. Choose a beautifully appointed Cabin at Celo or an estate lot with creek or long or short-range mountain views where you can build your own mountain getaway for the summer - for all seasons of the year and of your life. Call 866-378-4769 for your Discovery Package Getaway.

The following are a few of our top area camps steeped in tradition and recommended by a retired North Carolina high school principal. The ones in SC and NC are within approximately 30 minutes of Asheville. The ones with an asterisk are ones which the Asheville Educator knows personally; however, all the ones listed are considered great camps.

Green River Preserve-NC "For rising 2nd through 9th graders, we offer 1, 2 and 3 week co-ed programs."

Camp Chatuga – SC * "traditional summer camp with Christian values"

Camp voyager – SC "Clemson University has been offering experiential education to the youth of South Carolina since 1934"

Adventure Summer Camp – SC - "Adventure, Wilderness, Backpacking ages 12-17"

Camp Kanuga – NC - Episcopal - "adventure, sports, crafts ages 7-15"

Keystone Camp – NC * "Since 1916, Keystone Camp has encouraged and supported girls to become strong individuals."

Camp Meri-Mac – NC * Camp for girls - "Merri-Mac is a special place, rich in tradition, and dedicated to encouraging growth in the fruits of the Spirit."

Camp Illahee – NC * "For ninety years, Camp Illahee has given girls the opportunity to explore their interests, seek new adventures and forge friendships and memories that will last a lifetime"

Green Cove – NC - 90 years - "Camp Green Cove is a traditional, but unique summer program for girls age 6 to 17."

Camp Ton-A-Wandah – NC * since 1933 - "more than a place - it's a place in your heart."

TANTALIZING TIDBITS - IN THE NEWS

Enjoy the Miracle Worker currently playing at the historic Parkway Playhouse. The 4 wrought-iron chandeliers in the lobby and theater are gifts from local artist, Daniel Boone VI, (a direct descendant of Daniel Boone) who loved this theater. According to Evelyn Hope Bailey, Parkway Playhouse Historian, Boone's work is "internationally known and appears in private homes, public buildings, in museums and in public and private gardens. He was awarded the contract for all of the wrought-iron used in the restoration of Williamsburg, VA, in the early 1930's. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. spent more than $4,000,000 for the 17th century restoration of that city."

En Plein Air, Paint out, will be held in Burnsville on May 21st. Sponsored by the Toe River Arts Council (TRAC), the Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild (BRAG), and Cove at Celo Mountain estate owners, Susan and Paul Crutchfield, "this popular rite of spring brings tourists from all over the area to capture the spirit of downtown Burnsville in many different mediums of art." This is a juried event with $1000 in cash prizes and certificates being awarded.

"Country Cablevision begins construction this week of a $25.3 million project to bring high-speed internet to 97% of homes and businesses in Yancey and Mitchell counties. The Burnsville-based company partnered with the county’s Broadband Taskforce to pursue federal stimulus funding for the project, with the company providing a 25% match. Country Cablevision founder Ray Vance Miller was honored as Entrepreneur of the Year at an economic summit that provided an update on the broadband project."

Mountain Heritage High School senior and hoops star, John Cannon, picks Georgia over UNC, Northwestern and Old Dominion. Cannon set a NCHSAA record for career blocked shots (606). He averaged 21.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.5 blocks a game this past season for the Cougars (21-7) and was named the Western Highlands Conference Player of the Year. Cannon also received all-state honors from The Associated Press and N.C. Basketball Coaches Association.

MHHS cheerleader Allison Tipton, who has been chosen as a finalist in the National Cheerleader of the Year competition. She will travel to Southern Methodist University on May 20th - 22nd, to compete for the title. She is the 2nd cheerleader from MHHS to ever make it this far.

DOT officially opens Mt. Mitchell Scenic Byway - Local officials joined NC Dept. of Transportation representatives on Yancey’s highest peak to open one of the state’s newest scenic byways. The 52-mile stretch of roadway begins at the tallest mountain in Eastern America and winds along the Parkway, down the South Toe Valley (Highway 80 South by The Cove at Celo Mountain), through Burnsville and along Hwy 19 to I-26.

The Art of Reuse - Earth Day Contest sponsored by Etsy names local artist to Top 10 on Today Show

"Trashformations" have been a favorite with art lovers in our Open Studio Tours in Western North Carolina for years. This medium lends itself well to the culture of simplicity, back-to-nature, and thoughtful, green living which is a trademark of the Asheville, NC area.

Burnsville artist and musician (Hot Duck Soup), John Richards, had his work, "Flying Alumifish" named as a top 10 on NBC's Today Show "Art of Reuse" contest last week. John's project was a mobile made from aluminum cat food lids. The mobile is currently hanging in the Mellow Mushroom in Asheville, along with several of John's other works. Judges for the contest included Martha Stewart, Hoda Kotb, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Andy Cohen.

John's works have been sold or displayed at Tiffany & Co., Bonwit Teller, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, The Museum of Contemporary Crafts NYC, The Museum of Modern Art, Jacksonville FL & various publications: House & Garden, American Home, Playboy, Asheville Citizen Times, Yancey Common Times Journal, Southern Living Magazine, The New York Times, The London Times, Folio & the prestigious Saint Augustine Record. John received a BA in English from Union College in Schenectady, NY and taught English, Spanish, and Art for "four long years but has been creatively unemployed ever since."

Visit the Toe River Arts Gallery in Burnsville, NC for other works of the artist as well as those of other local well-known "Trashformationists" like Rolf Holmquist and Susan Hayden.

For more information:

Reuser's Guide to Green Living
John's studio: Yummy Mud Puddle