Appalachian Storytellers' Dinner for The Washington Post

I recently had the pleasure of photographing 6 chefs in action at a benefit event organized by The Blind Pig Supper Club of Asheville, NC. The Appalachian Storytellers Dinner was held at the picturesque Claxton Farms in Weaverville, NC. It was great to be behind the scenes in a kitchen full of very talented chefs who didn't take themselves too seriously and enjoyed cooking together.

Many thanks to Mike Moore, Travis Milton, Edward Lee, Matt Dawes, Elliott Moss, Kyle McKnight and Denny Trantham for giving me free range of their kitchen. Also, thanks to Photo Editor Dudley Brooks of The Washington Post for having me on this shoot and to Jon Eric Johnson for creating the time-lapse video.

And if you'd like to spend a little more time with the images......

Guests at the Appalachian Storytellers' Dinner organized by Blind Pig Supper Club at Claxton Farms, Weaverville, NC

Chef Elliott Moss and his dish Smoked & Cured Pork Tenderloin with Apples, Smoked Cheese, Buxton Sauerkraut, Leather Britches & Pickled Ramps

White Tail Venison with Sumac, Collard Leather Britches, White Tail Sack Sausage, Sweet Potato, Malted Sassafras, Mustard Greens & Black Birch Syrup by Travis Milton

Chef Edward Lee at work. Hickory Nut Gap Farms Pork Schnitzel with Kimchi Puree & Ham Salt Gravy by Edward Lee.

Chef Kyle Lee McNight puts the finishing touches on his Appalachian Root Vegetable dish with Hickory King Corn, Sorghum, Trout Salt, Local Chestnuts, Chard & Pecan oil

Chef Matt Dawes, Hominy porridge with Creasy Greens & Fatback by chef Matt Dawes

Mamaws Blackberry Dumplings with Fresh Cream & Mint by Chef Denny Trantham

Guests at the Appalachian Storytellers' Dinner

Chef Elliott Moss at the Smoker

Smoked and Cured Pork Tenderloin

Hickory Nut Gap Farms Pork

Charcuterie, L-R Fullsteam Carver & Friends Salami, Dusty Foothills Coppa, Peach and Corno Di Toro Lonzina, Old World Beef and Pork Salami, Carolina Hot Lamb Ham, Blueberry and Appalachian Wild Ginger Short Loin, Mole & Pumpkin Seed Salami

Guests at the Appalachian Storytellers Dinner at Claxton Farms, Weaverville, NC

Claxton Farms, Weaverville, NC