The June Wrap-Up
June took us from the James Beard Awards in Chicago to media coverage spanning food, travel, music, hospitality, and spirits, with clients appearing everywhere from Food & Wine and Southern Living to Our State, VinePair, and Mountain Xpress.
It's always rewarding to see months of strategy, relationship building, and storytelling turn into coverage that introduces great businesses to new audiences. Here's a look back at June.
A Week in Chicago for the James Beard Awards
I traveled to Chicago for the James Beard Awards, catching up with chefs, restaurateurs, journalists, and friends from across the country. The awards always offer a chance to reconnect with the hospitality industry while keeping a pulse on where food media and restaurant culture are headed.
Jettie Rae's Continues a Strong Year
June brought another wave of recognition for Jettie Rae's Oyster House.
Meghan Grant also included Jettie Rae's among her favorite Asheville restaurants on I'm Fixin' To.
The team brought back one of our favorite traditions, Sunday Socials, beginning the season with a classic fish fry. If you're looking for one of the best ways to spend a Sunday in Asheville, be sure to get on their mailing list so you don't miss future events - they tend to sell out quickly.
Meanwhile, the July issue of Our State Magazine is hitting newsstands now, featuring Jettie Rae's in its story about North Carolina's beloved Airstream eateries.
And behind the bar, Beverage Director Mitch Stewart was quoted in VinePair, sharing his perspective on underrated modern classic cocktails alongside bartenders from around the country.
A Big Month for WNC Travel Coverage
Some of our favorite wins this month came from travel publications encouraging readers to slow down, explore the Western North Carolina mountains, and plan their next meal around the destination.
Food & Wine’s Kayleigh Ruller published their sweeping guide to eating along the entire 469 mile Blue Ridge Parkway, featuring three OFTB clients:
Jettie Rae's Oyster House
Firelight at Shope Creek
Bev's Steak
At the same time, The Adventurist continued highlighting Western North Carolina's food scene.
Jettie Rae's was named one of the 15 Best Restaurants in Asheville, while Bev's Steak earned a place among the magazine's picks for the Where to Eat Well In Black Mountain.
It's rewarding to see clients recognized alongside some of the region's most established restaurants while also helping put Asheville and Black Mountain on more travelers' itineraries.
Echo Mountain in Mountain xpress
Echo Mountain Recording continued building momentum a feature in Mountain Xpress, including a story examining how Asheville's recording studios continue navigating an evolving music industry through collaboration, resilience, and community.
Oak & Grist released a limited single malt
June was a milestone month for new client Oak & Grist Distilling.
The distillery released its Limited Edition Rum Cask Finished Single Malt, a whiskey that showcases Caribbean rum barrel influence while continuing Oak & Grist's exploration of single malt production in North Carolina.
Embassy Suites Featured by Hilton
Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown was included in a national feature from Hilton Stories highlighting memorable road trip destinations that can be reached on a single tank of gas.
As travelers continue looking for regional escapes, Asheville remains one of the Southeast's most compelling destinations.
Looking Ahead
As summer gets into full swing, I’m excited for what's next.
July brings new story opportunities, seasonal menus, destination travel coverage, new restaurant experiences, anniversary celebrations, and plenty more reasons to keep visiting our region.
