Perfect Pairing with Catering by Corey

Before the word ‘staycation’ became a thing, I loved to play what I call ‘tourist in my town’.  To break out of my routine to discover something new hiding in plain sight in my own backyard.  Between the outdoors, the thriving culinary scene, and the rich culture of artists and creatives here in Asheville, I’m always discovering new places and people I want to learn more about.  Lucky for all of us here in western NC, we get the chance to experience all three at once during Addison Farms Vineyard’s Perfect Pairing dinner with Catering by Corey.

The Vineyard

Yes, we DO have another vineyard here in the Asheville area besides the one on Biltmore Estate. Addison Farms lies about 17 miles from downtown Asheville on a 55-acre family farm that’s been in owner, Jeff Frisbee’s, family for four generations. Jeff, along with his wife, Dianne, planted their first vines in 2009 and today the vineyard spans around six acres.  Words fail to describe the beauty of this vineyard tucked into the mountains, the vines sweeping along the rolling hillsides. If you need a getaway, I highly recommend visiting their tasting room on the weekends and sipping one of their award-winning wines in sight of this breathtaking view! It’s a fabulous place for a cozy date or to gather with girlfriends. Just see for yourself in these gorgeous photos by Kathy Beaver Photography from the most recent Perfect Pairing event.

The Chef

If you’re looking to delve deeper into the abundance of locally made goodies, the Perfect Pairing event is a great way to experience the best Asheville has to offer. Rooted in a farm-to-table concept, chef Corey Marino of Catering by Corey brings her innovative cuisine out to the vineyard to create a multi-course meal highlighting both local farms and artisans. And, of course, Addison Farms’ wines.

Corey met Dianne Frisbee of Addison Farms back in 2014 when they were both vendors in the North Asheville indoor Farmer’s Market in the space now occupied by Engaged wedding studio. United in their shared love for great food and wine, Corey and Dianne hit it off and began exploring ideas for ways to both grow their own respective businesses and to highlight the superior products of Asheville’s local farms and food artisans

In the words of Corey herself, “pairing (my cuisine) with Addison Farm’s Award Winning North Carolina wine is such an honor.  With the incredible bounty of local products available in Asheville and the surrounding area, we are able to provide seasonal, fresh, and local dishes to compliment Addison Farm’s amazing local wine.”

The Menu

They’ve now hosted seven wine dinners together, each time playing off of a new theme. In the past, they’ve focused their menus around ingredients sourced specifically from the Leicester area (see more HERE). They’ve also highlighted their fellow vendors from the North Asheville indoor Farmers Market. Their most recent pairing centered around one of my personal favorite foods — chocolate!

Corey proved that chocolate shouldn’t be regarded solely as a dessert with her innovative four course menu, each course designed to complement a new Addison Farms varietal. Just see the amazing menu she created…I dare you not to drool!

First Course
Chocolate Candied Bacon with Goat’s Cheese and Fresh Raspberry, garnished with Burgundy Amaranth Micro Greens

Second Course
Trio Plate
Appetizer: Wasabi and White Chocolate-Crusted Ahi Tuna with Tatsoi Micro Greens
Soup: Butternut Squash and White Chocolate Soup garnished with Cocoa Nibs
Salad: Miso Infused Pear, Jicama & Kale with Chocolate Vinaigrette

Entree
Cocoa and Coffee-Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Scalloped Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus with Red Russian Kale Micro Greens

Corey partnered with her fellow Engaged creative Melissa Gray of Cakes by Gray for the dessert course. Melissa is a cake connoisseur, always coming up with adventurous new flavors or adapting old favorites into new formats.

The Farms & Artisans

Always a champion of local makers and do’ers, Corey featured ingredients from local farms and artisans in the dinner, including:

Three Graces Dairy

Hickory Nut Gap Farms

Blue Lantern

Wildwood Herbal

Penny Cup Coffee Company

Cakes by Gray

I highly recommend driving the short distance out to Addison Farms Vineyard for the next Perfect Pairing evening with Catering by Corey. You can check both Corey’s Facebook page and the Addison Farms events page for information on their next collaboration, or to keep up with other awesome things they’ve got going on! Until then, take the trip to try some of their award winning wine and take in a beautiful mountain sunset. It really doesn’t get better than that!

Thanks to local lifestyle blogger and Engaged creative Brooke Williams of The Tony Townie for sharing the experience!