Current CLIENT PORTFOLIO
My list of 2026 clients is below. All of my 2026 clients are based in the Asheville region. For media inquiries, press trips, or partnerships, please email catherine@oneforthebooks.com. Stay up to date with all of OFTB’ clients on social media and with the latest news.
Media kits and assets available.
Embassy Suites downtown
A fast-rising hotel star with multiple awards in the heart of Asheville.
2026 NCRLA Star of the Industry Award
2026 #2 Breakfast in Embassy Suites worldwide
2026 “13 Best Hotels in Asheville” by AFAR
The only Embassy Suites worldwide with a MICHELIN restaurant
2025 Conrad Award (top 1% Embassy Suites worldwide)
2025 GM of the Year Award
Opened in the winter of 2023, the Embassy Suites Downtown Asheville features 188 quiet and spacious suites, complimentary made-to-order breakfast and evening receptions, all amenities, as well as one of the city’s only indoor pools. On the rooftop, you'll find Soprana, home to award-winning and MICHELIN-recommended pizza and cocktails. A practical base for both business travel and long weekend stay, the hotel frequently hosts regional events and conferences, positioning it as part of the city’s civic and tourism infrastructure.
Story ideas:
“Why Asheville’s All-Suite Hotels Are Winning the Multigenerational Travel Market”
“Where to Stay in Downtown Asheville Without Renting a Car”
“How Mid-Size Convention Hotels Shape Small City Tourism”
Fall foliage stays within walking distance of downtown Asheville
Winter conference season and off-season travel value in the Blue Ridge
Spring festival access and rooftop reopening energy
Summer mountain escapes for multigenerational families
Facebook | instagram
DoubleTree downtown
An acclaimed oasis of relaxation with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge.
Positioned near Asheville’s commercial and cultural core, DoubleTree Downtown Asheville provides some of the most spacious accommodations (larger than standard DoubleTree properties), on-site dining at The Montford Rooftop Bar, and meeting space geared toward corporate travelers and tour groups. It reflects the city’s steady growth in professional travel while still functioning as a leisure base for visitors exploring the Blue Ridge region.
Story ideas:
“Why Digital Nomads Should Consider Asheville”
“Asheville Hotels With Endless Mountain Views”
“The Best Hotels for Bleisure (Business and Leisure) in Asheville”
“Why Travelers Are Choosing Sound Machines and Hobbycations Over Rooftop Clubs”
Corporate retreat season in the mountains
Winter value travel to Asheville
NC and Southeast sports and regional events travel
Summer family travel tied to outdoor access and indoor pools
Facebook | Instagram
Firelight at shope creek
A boutique nature-focused retreat that blends modern Scandinavian design with Appalachian quiet in Asheville.
2026 “13 Best Hotels in Asheville” by AFAR
Firelight at Shope Creek offers architecturally distinctive 1-bedroom cabins set in a wooded landscape near Asheville. Founded by owners and longtime friends Shari Robins and Amy Cavanaugh, Firelight is women-built and women-powered from ownership to architecture to landscape design. It attracts individuals, couples, women-focused retreats, and others seeking privacy without sacrificing proximity to the city. Amenities include private hot tubs at each cabin, wood fireplaces, full kitchens, flower and herb gardens for guests, heated bathroom pools, a private sauna and hiking trails. The property speaks to the rise of intentional, small-scale lodging built around design and nature.
Story ideas:
“The Rise of Design-Led Cabin Retreats”
“The Ultimate Wellness Getaway in the Blue Ridge”
“Why Travelers Are Choosing Small Private Lodging Over Resorts”
Fall leaf-peeping itinerary between East Asheville and Black Mountain
Winter off-grid cabin stays
Summer girls’ getaway in forested settings
Facebook | Instagram
The retreats at spring creek preserve
A secluded mountain preserve offering a storied stay with private trails and more.
Certified Wildlife Habitat (National Wildlife Federation and NC Wildlife Federation)
Space is the new self-care. Located in Trust, North Carolina halfway between Asheville and Hot Springs, The Retreats at Spring Creek Preserve are setting a new standard for mountain getaways. Situated in a private park-like nature sanctuary spanning 80 acres in the Pisgah National Forest, The Retreats feature a secluded historic log cabin that becomes your mountain sanctuary, complete with 5 miles of private professionally designed trails, a hot tub with views, Le Creuset-outfitted kitchen, heated bathroom floors and more. It appeals to travelers seeking quiet, rural immersion and creekside landscapes away from urban centers, reflecting the broader demand for slow travel and restorative stays. Plans are in the works to build additional private cabins on the preserve, one at a time, to keep the experience thoughtful and sustainable.
Story ideas:
“Switch It Up: Visit Asheville But Stay Outside the City”
“Wellness Retreats Are On Trend, But For Real Wellness, Ditch The Packed Itinerary”
“Why Travelers Are Now Trading Cities for Nature Preserves and Farms”
“3 Hidden Gems Less Than An Hour From Asheville”
“Create Your Own ‘Outlander’ Fantasy at This Stunning Historic Cabin in the Appalachian Mountains”
Winter writing and solitude retreats
Spring wildflower coverage
Summer escapes and day trips in Western North Carolina
Facebook | Instagram
jettie rae’s oyster house
Award-winning oyster house bringing seafood culture to the NC mountains.
2026 TripAdvisor Best of the Best - Top 5 Restaurant in the United States
2025 Eater Carolinas “Most Essential Restaurants in Asheville”
2025 TimeOut’s “Best Restaurants in Asheville”
2025 Best of WNC Awards for Seafood and Cocktails
Jettie Rae’s Oyster House focuses on oysters, Atlantic seafood, and Southern hospitality traditions within a landlocked mountain city. The restaurant reflects Asheville’s appetite for destination dining and seafood sourcing from the coast, creating an interesting supply chain and cultural story.
Story ideas:
“How Landlocked Cities Built Thriving Oyster Scenes”
“The Modern Southern Oyster House, Reimagined”
“How North Carolina’s Mountain and Coast Work To Keep Dollars In The Sate’s Economy”
National Oyster Day, NC Oyster Month, National Seafood Month (November)
Summer seafood towers in the mountains
Holiday seafood traditions away from the coast
Spring patio and raw bar features
FACEBOOk | Instagram
Soprana rooftop cucina
Alps meets Appalachia in this award-winning rooftop dining destination.
2025 MICHELIN Recommended Restaurant
2025 Pizza Today PIE Award - Best In The Southeast
2025 Best of WNC Award for Restaurant With a View
2026 NCRLA Star of the Industry Award
Soprana is the only MICHELIN restaurant in any Embassy Suites in the world, offering a lens into how the city’s food scene is moving upward, literally and economically. After spending months studying and working with a master piazzolo based in New York, Philip Bollhoefer carefully chose every brick, olive oil, and tomato source before opening Soprana in 2024 on the rooftop. With unobstructed views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Soprana is known for its sunset dining over pizza, cocktails, and salads, working with unique local flavors such as Asheville Bee Charmer hot honey, North Carolina truffles, Chop Shop Butchery meats, and serving Spicewalla red pepper flakes at the table.
Story ideas:
“Why Rooftop Restaurants Are Reshaping Southern Dining Cities”
“The New Wave of Italian Cooking in Small American Food Towns”
“How Hospitality Groups Are Building Vertical Dining Experiences”
Rooftop dining during peak foliage
Aperitivo culture as summer sets in
Valentine’s and celebratory dining trends
Holiday group dining and private events with a view
Facebook | Instagram
the montford
A high-altitude cocktail bar where every sip and bite creatively is a love letter to local ingredients.
2025 WNC Best of Awards for Bar with A View
Celebrating 10 Years in 2026
One of Asheville’s first rooftop bars
The Montford opened in the summer of 2016 as one of the first rooftop bars in Asheville. Featuring sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains and a menu so locally-focused it included fresh herbs and edible flowers grown on the rooftop patio by Chef (now VP of Food & Bev) Philip Bollhoefer, guests flocked to the 53-seat bar to watch the sun set and bask in four-season fresh air (blankets and heaters are plentiful in the colder months).
In 2026, they celebrate their 10th year and are introducing a fully revived menu under the F&B direction of Chef Heather Hickman and Joel Abshier, returning to their focus on local ingredients.
This is a place for al fresco snacks and drinks, panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, imple and warm hospitality without posturing, a place to finish up work or grab a post-hike beverage.
Story ideas:
“As Its Turn 10 Years Old, One of Asheville’s Original Rooftop Bars is Doubling Down on Their Local Roots”
“Selling Sunset: Designing Bars Where the Landscape Is the Main Attraction”
“Discover WNC’s Distilling Scene Through This All-Local Menu”
Rooftop-hopping in Asheville
Peak fall foliage coverage
Summer rooftop cocktail trends
Most romantic spots roundup
Spring reopening and tourism ramp-up
Facebook | Instagram
the majestic
A love letter to iconic New York Chinese-American restaurants and the newest arrival in Asheville’s dining scene.
Opening Late May 2026
The Majestic, the fourth concept from The Scheffer Group, is slated to open in late May 2026. Like Eric Scheffer’s other restaurants, The Majestic is a love letter to his New York childhood and the iconic dining destinations he grew up with, leaving a timeless impression on how he shaped his palate and his career. The North Asheville neighborhood takeout/dine-in spot will answer a years-long demand for more Chinese food options in Asheville.
Story ideas:
“Eric Scheffer’s 25+ Year Asheville Restaurant Legacy Continues With New Concept, The Majestic”
“How Restaurateur Eric Scheffer Tapped Into His Own Nostalgia To Create Packed Dining Rooms”
“From Red Sauce to Sweet & Sour Sauce: A New Restaurant From Eric Scheffer Arrives in Asheville”
“How Eric Scheffer’s NY Childhood and Ray Hui’s 1st Generation Chinese-American Upbringing Created The Majestic’s Instantly Iconic Menu”
“How Heidi Scheffer, Wife of Restaurateur Eric Scheffer, Creatively Designs Hospitality Interiors”
Recipe and technique stories or contributions to chef roundups
Interviews with Owner Eric Scheffer and Chef de Cuisine Kaya Rehnberg
North Asheville neighborhood itineraries
Facebook | Instagram
vinnie’s italian
A long-standing Italian restaurant rooted in family-style hospitality, with two locations.
2025 TripAdvisor Best of the Best Awards - Top 5 Restaurant in the U.S.
2025 WNC Best of Awards - Best Bartender, Best Italian, Best Restaurant
Celebrating 16 years in business in 2026
Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian is known for classic red-sauce dishes, pasta, and a loyal local following. In a city known for trend-driven restaurants, Vinnie’s represents durability and neighborhood identity, offering a counterpoint to constant culinary reinvention. There are two locations, Vinnie’s Original (North Asheville) and Vinnie’s South (South Asheville).
Story ideas:
“The Enduring Appeal of Red-Sauce Restaurants”
“Neighborhood Restaurants That Outlast Trends”
“Italian-American Dining Beyond Major Cities”
Holiday family dining traditions
Graduation and group celebration season
Pasta features & red sauce recipes
Anniversary and milestone dining coverage
Facebook | Instagram
gan shan
An Asian-inspired neighborhood restaurant grounded in comfort and craft.
2025 Best of WNC Awards for Best Takeout
Gan Shan serves dumplings, noodle bowls, and globally influenced comfort dishes in a casual setting. It has become part of Asheville’s evolution from Appalachian food town to globally curious dining destination, offering a story about regional taste expansion and approachable Asian-inspired cuisine. Executive Chef Ray Hui is a first generation Chinese American and grew up in his family restaurants, now bringing his philosophy of comfort food and some family recipes to the table in this quaint takeout gem in West Asheville.
Story ideas:
“How Small Cities Built Big Asian-Influenced Dining Scenes”
“Dumplings in the South”
“The Rise of Neighborhood Noodle Houses”
“What Chef Ray Hui Wants to Feed You In Asheville”
Cold-weather ramen features
Dumpling-focused Lunar New Year coverage
Patio season in West Asheville
Comfort food during shoulder travel season
Facebook | Instagram
connect beyond festival
A nonprofit music and ideas festival centered on creative exchange.
Connect Beyond Festival is a 501c3 organization in Asheville bringing together musicians, thought leaders, and audiences for multi-day programming. Hosted at major venues including The Orange Peel, the festival blends performance with conversation, positioning itself as both cultural gathering and nonprofit arts initiative. The 2026 festival is happening May 29-31 at The Orange Peel in downtown and will premiere a venue-wide art experience, “The Community Garden.” They are also working with local youth programs where kids learn coding, media, production and more alongside the festival’s team leading up to the event.
Story ideas:
“Going Beyond the Usual Music Festival”
“The New Model for Nonprofit Cultural Events”
“How Festivals Are Rebuilding Regional Arts Economies”
“A New Generation of Festival Fans Want Something That Isn’t a Hangover"
Lineup announcements
Early bird ticket launches
Artist spotlights
Post-festival impact reporting
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
echo mountain studio
A historic church turned recording studio shaping independent music in the Southeast.
Echo Mountain Recording Studio operates out of a former church in Asheville and has hosted nationally recognized, GRAMMY-winning artists. The studio combines analog character with modern recording technology, serving as both creative sanctuary and serious production facility within the Southeast music ecosystem. They celebrate 20 years in 2026.
Story ideas:
“Inside This Church-Turned-Music-Studio In Asheville”
“Why Musicians Are Heading to Asheville to Make Music”
“Analog Warmth in a Digital Industry”
20th anniversary coverage - what keeps a studio going in the AI and digital age
Album release cycles recorded on site
Music tourism in Asheville - we have a deep history here!
Live session recordings, workshops, events around studio
Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
About One for the Books
One For The Books is a PR, experiences, and brand marketing studio for food, beverage, hospitality and culture brands, with 20 years' experience advising and building campaigns and a particular specialization in reviving legacy brands (10-100+ years old).
