The pop-up dining experience has continued to grow in popularity nationwide, and that’s no exception within Asheville’s culinary scene. Here are 4 chefs + pop-up dinner hosts you should know about.

Mikasa Nikkei

This latest culinary endeavor from Chef Santiago Vargas, former co-owner of Out of the Blue food truck + repeat winner of the Asheville Wing War, dishes out elevated + experimental Peruvian-Japanese fusion amidst magical mountain views. Think: sashimi-style trout, sauced + flame-torched sushi rolls, swordfish skewers with yuca frita, and deconstructed dragon fruit cheesecake.
Upcoming meals: Nov. 9, Nov. 11, Nov. 16, Nov. 18

The dreamy locale of the Cultura meal series. | Photo by Julia Lindholm, Wicked Weed Brewing.

Cultivated Community Chef Series

The goal of this new monthly series from Cultura is to provide a platform for up-and-coming area chefs. The ticketed series kicked off last month with an “OaxaCalifornia” meal from Chef Luis Martinez, and will continue throughout the year. Bonus: the proceeds from each event will also benefit a nonprofit important to the chef.
Upcoming meals:
- Thurs., Oct. 28 — Swine’d Sustainably ft. Jonathan Pridgen, Head of Charcuterie for CÚRATE.
- Thurs., Nov. 18 — Chef Silver Cousler of the forthcoming Neng Jr.’s
- Thurs., Dec. 9 — Chef J Chong of J Chong Eats

Botanist & Barrel

This homegrown, NC cider bar opened its Asheville location earlier this year and has been hosting quite the lineup of culinary experiences, including visits from Ivory Road Cafe + Charlotte Chef Trey Wilson. Bonus: each offering in the multi-course meal comes paired with a cider curated by pommelier + winemaker Amie Fields.
Upcoming meals:
- Oct. 24 — Tapas with Chef Paul Cressend

The type of picnic spread that has you wishing you wore your stretchy pants to dinner. | Photo via @urban_graze_co

The Table + Taste Series

Look no further for one of the most IG-worthy meals in Asheville. This series — a collaboration between Twisty Maple, Picnic Pop Up + Urban Graze — artfully arranges mountain views with cozy,cottagecore-esqueoutdoor seating and luxurious graze boards.
Upcoming meals: Oct. 27