When Hurricane Helene swept through Asheville, it left more than just downed trees and power outages; it tested the heart of our community. 

And guess what?

Asheville showed up in the biggest way. 

Neighbors shared meals, local spots handed out coffee, water, and hugs, and three incredible organizations (MANNA FoodBank, Homeward Bound, and Blue Ridge Public Radio) rolled up their sleeves and got to work. 

In that moment of grit, generosity, and good old-fashioned gumption, we knew we had to do something to say thank you. That’s how the 10-Pack Made with Love in Asheville Collection came to life: a flavour-packed love letter to our city, its makers, and the people who make Asheville feel like home.

Every sprinkle, shake, and dash in this collection celebrates the resilience of Western North Carolina and supports ongoing recovery efforts. And yes, every 10-pack sold donates $15 to our local heroes ($5 each to MANNA FoodBank, Homeward Bound, and Blue Ridge Public Radio). 

A Little Behind Our Why

We created this collection to capture the flavours and spirit of Asheville.

Each blend was made in collaboration with local chefs, makers, and institutions whose work defines our city’s culinary scene. From fiery rubs to cozy chai, every spice mix carries the personality of the people and places behind it.

But there’s more here than just great flavour. 

Every 10-pack is a way to support the community that supported us. When you buy one, you’re not only taking home incredible blends; you’re helping neighbors rebuild, providing food to families in need, and keeping the airwaves full of vital local stories.

So go ahead. Cook with it, gift it, show it off on your counter, and know that you’re helping make a difference. 💛

Who’s Getting the Love (and Donations)

When Hurricane Helene hit, these three incredible organizations didn’t miss a beat.

They rolled up their sleeves, showed up for our community, and made sure folks had what they needed most! Whether that was a hot meal, a safe place to sleep, or the comforting sound of familiar voices on the radio, they did everything they could to help.

MANNA FoodBank 

For over 40 years, MANNA FoodBank has been feeding Western North Carolina. When Hurricane Helene devastated their facilities, they got right back to work, distributing food within 48 hours and securing an emergency 84,000-square-foot warehouse by the end of the first week.

Today, they serve more than 160,000 people each month, and your purchase helps them continue this essential work across both rural and urban communities. Every shake of Chop Shop’s Apple Brandy Beef Rub or sprinkle of Billy D’s Fried Chicken Spice helps put a meal on someone’s table.

Learn more about MANNA and all of their work in WNC at MANNAFoodbank.org!

Homeward Bound 

Homeward Bound of WNC believes housing is a human right. Their AHOPE Day Center and Housing First model have helped more than 2,600 people move into stable, permanent homes. After Helene, their team doubled down on prevention, rapid rehousing, and long-term support to help neighbors get back on their feet.

Buying a 10-pack means helping families and individuals find safety, comfort, and dignity in a home of their own. Learn more at HomewardBoundWNC.org.

Blue Ridge Public Radio 

When Helene hit, Blue Ridge Public Radio’s small but mighty news team worked around the clock, delivering life-saving information in both English and Spanish. From shelter locations to food distribution sites, they made sure every part of WNC stayed informed and connected.

Your support keeps this award-winning station reporting, inspiring, and connecting mountain communities all year long. Learn more at BPR.org.

Meet the Flavour Dream Team: 10 Blends, 10 Local Legends

Chop Shop Butcher’s Apple Brandy Beef Rub

Since opening in 2011, Chop Shop Butchery has built direct relationships with local and regional farmers to bring Asheville's finest whole-animal butchery to the Charlotte Street neighborhood. 

This neighborhood butcher shop sources only from all-natural, sustainable farms where animals are never treated with antibiotics or hormones, giving customers transparency about exactly where their meat comes from. 

From custom cuts and dry-aged beef to house-made sausages and fresh seafood, the skilled butchers (like head butcher Rob) provide knowledgeable guidance and personal service that harks back to the golden age of neighborhood meat markets. 

Whether you're shopping for dinner or signing up for one of their popular butchery classes, Chop Shop makes you feel good about the meat you eat!

Savory, smoky, and just a little sweet, this rub channels backyard brisket vibes with local apple brandy flair. Perfect for beef, roasted veggies, or mushrooms. Chop Shop’s craft butchery expertise brings Asheville’s BBQ culture straight to your kitchen. Pro tip: coat generously before roasting for a caramelized, flavour-packed crust.

Cúrate’s Pincho Moruno Rub

After honing her craft in the kitchens of Ferran Adrià at El Bulli and José Andrés, Chef Katie Button (who originally earned a Master's in Biomedical Engineering before following her passion for food) opened Cúrate Bar de Tapas in 2011 with her husband Felix Meana, in a renovated 1920s bus depot. 

This five-time James Beard Foundation Award-nominated chef created something special in downtown Asheville by bringing authentic Spanish tapas, carefully-selected wines, and award-winning hospitality to life in a warm, lively atmosphere with an open kitchen. 

In 2022, Cúrate won the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Hospitality, and the restaurant has been recognized as one of the "40 Most Important Restaurants of the Past 40 Years" by Food & Wine. Today, Chef Katie hosts Magnolia Network's "From The Source" and has expanded the Cúrate brand to include La Bodega by Cúrate, an online marketplace, wine club, and culinary trips to Spain, all while pioneering comprehensive benefits and living wage certification for her restaurant group.

Inspired by Spanish street food, this blend is warm, earthy, and full of depth. Paprika, cumin, and garlic make skewers, slow roasts, and tapas nights unforgettable. Cúrate’s team brings authentic Spanish flavour and a little tapas magic to every dish.

Billy D’s Fried Chicken Spice

Two-time James Beard Foundation Award nominee Chef William Dissen has built a culinary empire rooted in farm-to-table values and sustainable sourcing, starting with The Market Place restaurant he purchased in downtown Asheville in 2009. 

His quick-service Billy D's Fried Chicken concept brings that same commitment to quality ingredients to a more casual setting, with locations at the NC Zoo and university campuses. Chef Dissen's signature approach includes brining Joyce Farms chicken in pickle juice (the vinegar expedites the osmosis and breaks down proteins for extra tenderness), dredging in seasoned flour, and frying to golden perfection. 

A champion for sustainable food systems who's twice been named Green Chef of the Year by Fortune magazine and even beat Gordon Ramsay in a cooking competition on National Geographic's "Uncharted," Chef Dissen proves that great fried chicken starts with great farming.

Billy D’s famous fried chicken seasoning transforms your kitchen into comfort food heaven. Bonus tip: it’s also incredible on popcorn for movie night. William Dissen’s magic shines through in every sprinkle.

Chai Pani’s Ginger Chai

When Chef Meherwan Irani and his wife Molly opened Chai Pani in 2009 at the bottom of the recession, they introduced Asheville to the vibrant colors, bold flavours, and soulful stories of Indian street food. 

What started as a dream has become a revolution in how America experiences Indian cuisine, earning the 2022 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant and landing on The New York Times' list of America's Favorite Restaurants. 

Chef Meherwan, a five-time James Beard semifinalist who trained under José Andrés and left a career at Mercedes-Benz to follow his passion, serves up chaat (crunchy, spicy, sweet, tangy street snacks) and thalis (traditional family meals) that honor his upbringing in Maharashtra, India. 

Today, the Chai Pani Restaurant Group includes multiple locations and Spicewalla, but it all started with this mindblasting little chaat house. 

Inspired by the house chai at Chai Pani, this blend is your shortcut to crave-worthy tea at home. It's got warm spices, bold ginger, and cozy vibes! Try it in oatmeal, baked goods, or even cocktails for an unexpected twist.

Biltmore Estate’s Cedric’s Fry Seasoning

When George Vanderbilt fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1888, he created what would become America's Largest Home and Asheville's most iconic landmark. 

Biltmore Estate, built between 1889 and 1895, remains the largest privately owned house in the United States with its 250-room Châteauesque mansion spanning 178,926 square feet. Still owned and operated by George Vanderbilt's descendants, the 8,000-acre estate welcomes 1.4 million visitors annually to tour the meticulously restored mansion, explore Frederick Law Olmsted's breathtaking gardens and grounds, visit the nation's most-visited winery, and experience luxury accommodations at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. 

From the Gilded Age grandeur of the house filled with 16th-century tapestries and Renoir paintings to the working farm and modern winery, Biltmore represents five generations of family dedication to preserving history while creating unforgettable experiences. 

This all-purpose fry sprinkle elevates potatoes, burgers, and bar snacks alike. It's savory, peppery, and wildly snackable. 

Good Hot Fish’s Salt & Vinegar Seasoning

2025 James Beard Award winner Chef Ashleigh Shanti opened Good Hot Fish in early 2024 as a love letter to the Black Appalachian fish fry tradition and the fish-frying women in her family. 

After earning national acclaim as opening chef de cuisine at Benne on Eagle (and a 2020 James Beard Rising Star Chef finalist nomination), competing on Top Chef, and working with culinary legends like Vivian Howard, this Virginia Beach native created an intimate 17-seat counter-service spot that honors her roots. 

What started as a weekly pop-up in a trailer has evolved into a cozy South Slope restaurant where fresh catfish and rotating catches from Carolina waters are dredged in locally-milled cornmeal and fried to shatteringly crisp perfection, served alongside Sea Island red peas, stewed greens from Old North Farm, and house-made hushpuppies. 

Tart, tangy, and boldly briny, this blend brings crispy coastal flavour to your kitchen. Use it on seafood, fries, or fried green tomatoes. Good Hot Fish delivers the taste of the sea, minus the sogginess.

Poppy Popcorn’s Elote Seasoning

What started as a one-woman operation on Merrimon Avenue in 2014 has grown into one of the region's fastest-growing start-ups, with Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn now employing over 45 people and expanding production across multiple Asheville facilities. 

Founder and CEO Ginger Frank built Poppy on a simple mission: use real, high-quality ingredients to craft unique flavours that make popcorn a celebration. With over 30 flavours ranging from their nationally ranked Parmesan & Black Pepper (named #1 in the U.S. by Tasting Table) to their signature Asheville Mix (white cheddar meets salted caramel), Poppy has become a community brand through innovative collaborations with fellow Asheville icons like French Broad Chocolate, Spicewalla, Highland Brewing, and Biltmore. 

After Hurricane Helene, Poppy demonstrated their deep community commitment by creating the Optimist Ventures fund to help local entrepreneurs rebuild.

Buttery, cheesy, lime-y, and totally addictive, this dairy-free seasoning channels Poppy Popcorn’s cult-favorite flavour. Sprinkle over popcorn, roasted veggies, or tacos for an instant fiesta.

High Five Coffee’s Golden Milk

This family-owned coffee company has become an Asheville staple with three beloved locations serving the community with intentional kindness since their first shop opened. 

High Five Coffee exclusively brews Counter Culture Coffee (a Durham-based roaster committed to sustainability) and their baristas are trained both in-house and through Counter Culture standards to deliver consistently delicious espresso drinks and creative house specials. 

From their downtown Rankin Avenue flagship to their riverside Woodfin location, each shop brings that same warm hospitality and commitment to serving not just great coffee, but a welcoming experience. Living Wage Certified and deeply connected to the local community, High Five proves that chasing the goal of serving delicious coffee with kind service creates something truly special. 

Earthy turmeric, cinnamon, and warming spices make this blend a golden hug in a mug. Stir it into milk, smoothies, or lattes for a cozy, caffeine-free boost. High Five’s creativity and coffeehouse comfort shine in every sip.

Burial Beer Forestry Camp’s Smoke Rub

Housed in historic buildings from the 1930s that once served as a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, Burial Beer's Forestry Camp opened in 2019 as both a production brewery and an immersive taproom experience. 

These Seattle transplants turned Asheville beer pioneers have created something special on this two-acre property nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, complete with six original buildings steeped in history and soul. 

With 24 taps featuring Burial's bold, artistically packaged beers alongside rare selections from craft breweries across the country, and a full-service kitchen highlighting locally-inspired American dishes, Forestry Camp delivers on atmosphere, flavour, and community. The property also houses their Wild and Sour Barrelhouse, production brewery, and VISUALS Winery.

This blend from our friends at Burial Beer's Forestry Camp brings campfire flavour straight to your kitchen or grill! It's smoky, bold, and unapologetically savory. Perfect for meats, roasted veggies, or any woodland-inspired meal. Burial Beer’s love for the forest runs deep in this one.

Hickory Nut Gap Farm’s Pork Rub

Just 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, Hickory Nut Gap Farms has been a family legacy since 1916 when Jim and Elizabeth McClure fell in love with an old inn and the surrounding farm in Fairview. 

Five generations later, the farm continues its commitment to regenerative agriculture, raising 100% grassfed beef and pasture-raised pork and chicken on 350 acres protected by a conservation easement. Accredited as a Regenerative Hub through the Savory Institute, Hickory Nut Gap partners with like-minded family farms across the Southeast, building community through agriculture and proving that responsible land stewardship and great-tasting meat go hand in hand. 

Visit their farm store to shop fresh cuts and house-made sausages, explore the property on a walking tour, or simply enjoy the scenic mountain views while picking up your week's groceries from farmers who truly care. 

Sweet, spiced, and ready to get messy in the kitchen. This blend elevates ribs, chops, or shoulder with Hickory Nut Gap’s signature farm-to-table touch. A taste of Asheville’s pastures in every bite.

Bring Home the Love

This collection is more than just spice. It’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and generosity. 

It’s about the chefs and makers who define our food scene, the neighbors who showed up when things got tough, and the organizations that keep this city thriving.

When you bring these blends into your kitchen, you’re helping Asheville recover while tasting the best of what our mountains have to offer. Every sprinkle tells a story, every blend carries a bit of home, and every purchase makes a real difference.

Together, we cook, celebrate, and give back—one delicious shake at a time 🌟

Spread love, cook food!