"It's hot." That was "Cheferee" Edwin French's take on the energy in the kitchen as we sat down to last night's dinner. With more than 100 diners in their seats at Packs Tavern eagerly anticpating the evening, Chefs Challenge Semi-Finalists Anthony Cerrato of Strada and Brian Ross of DOUGH were still going at full tilt, waiting on food to come out of the oven.&nbs

By Maggie Cramer

When we started the Chefs Challenge competition back in February, Chef Steven Goff represented Zambra. Since then, he's been very busy -- working with Ben's Tune-Up and starting a new restaurant on Charlotte Street, King James Public House, slated to open next month. As one of four Chefs Challenge semi-finalists, we're excited to see what he cooks up tomorrow night when he goes up against Chef Daniel Wright of Tomato Jam Cafe.

Ever tasted a whisky conceived 500 feet below the sea? Well, the makers of Defiant Whisky believe they have, literally, started a whisky revolution, creating a Defiant loyalist one sip at a time. You can catch the Defiant spirit at their booth at the Grand Tasting where they’ll be offering Defiant tastings and maybe even redefine for you what it means to chart your own path.

You almost have to visit Asheville twice: once to experience the city and again to experience Biltmore. But a stay at the Inn on Biltmore during your Festival weekend offers the best of both worlds. And with trolley transportation to and from SWEET and the Grand Tasting included in their package, you don't have to worry about driving!

We have partnered with our exclusive water sponsor, Jana Water, to offer you a chance to win one of FIVE pairs of tickets to the Asheville Wine & Food Festival Grand Tasting on August 24 at the Cellular Center. 

WINNING IS AS EASY AS 1-2-3:

1. LOOK for Asheville Wine & Food Festival posters and coasters at businesses all around Asheville. When you find one...

It was love at first “site” when I had the chance to recently tour the model residence at The Fitzgerald at Grove Park. The kitchen is a home cook’s dream with Viking appliances, a Sub-Zero fridge and a separate wine refrigerator! As the wife of a builder, I truly appreciated the craftsmanship from the eight-foot doors to the high-end engineered hardwoods throughout. And the view of downtown (only minutes away) with the surrounding mountains can’t be beat.

If you love your dog -- or pot-bellied pig -- as much as you love food, then consider Hotel Indigo Asheville as your Festival headquarters for the weekend. See what The Today Show had to say about the downtown boutique hotels' amazing pet-friendly perks: