Chef J Chong to star in new HBO Max show

Chef J Chong to star in new HBO Max show “The Big Brunch”

Chef J Chong is one of ten contestants in “The Big Brunch.” | Jeremy Kohm/HBO Max

Chef J Chong has always had mixed feelings about cooking competition shows. You know — the ones that pit contestants against each other while a clock ticks anxiously. But Asheville’s resident Cantonese chef says she’s thrilled to appear in the new HBO Max series "The Big Brunch.”

“I always joked I would never be on a food cooking competition show,” said Chong. “But this one hit different. It’s not your typical cooking competition.... I think this is going to give people a different perspective of what we do in the service industry.”

The show, produced by Dan Levy — well-known for his role as David Rose in “Schitt’s Creek" — follows ten chefs from across the country who share their stories and business dreams and cook plenty of brunch dishes while going head-to-head for a $300,000 prize. The eight-episode series premieres Thursday, Nov. 10.

Chef J Chong The Big Brunch, Dan Levy — Chef J Chong, left, with “The Big Brunch” judge and producer Dan Levy.

While, yes, the show inevitably involves competition, Chong explains “it’s supposed to be an uplifting food show,” one that gives a platform for “people who are trying to do good in their communities.” She continues, "[Levy] was extremely intentional with choosing the contestants, and I’m honored he saw something within me.”

Joining Levy, food writer Sohla El-Waylly and restaurateur Will Guidara will serve as judges on the show. Chef contestants, who often collaborate, represent cities from Norfolk, VA and El Paso, TX to Brooklyn, NY.

While we’ll have to wait and see how Chong fares in the show, watchers can expect plenty of love, passion, and camaraderie among the judges and contestants. And this trailer teases several scenes that are bound to pull on heart strings.

Interested in watching episode one with fellow fans? Check out New Belgium Brewing’s watch party on Friday, Nov. 11 at 8:30 p.m.

Which famous Asheville restaurant did J Chong work at before launching J Chong Eats?

A. Salsa’s
B. Sunny Point Cafe
C. Cúrate
D. Red Ginger

GET COOKING

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Tuesday, Nov. 8

Tenth Mountain Division | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $12 | This six-person band pushes the sound of the Colorado mountains into bold directions with their exploratory take on Americana.
YPA Election Watch Party | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 6-9 p.m. | Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave., Asheville | Free | Join the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals of Asheville for an election watch party that features pizza from PIE.ZAA and craft beer from Highland Brewing + Bhramari Brewing Co.

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Beauty Parlor Comedy: Matt White & Friends | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St., Asheville | Enjoy an evening of laughs with this standup comedian, who was the winner of “NC Funniest” 2020 competition.
Cinda Williams Chima launches “Runestone Saga: Children of Ragnarok” | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 6 p.m. | Malaprop’s Bookstore, 55 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima celebrates the release of her newest book “The Runestone Saga: Children of Ragnarok.”

Thursday, Nov. 10

Beatles Cartoon Pop Art Show | Thursday, Nov. 10-Saturday, Nov. 12 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Blackbird Frame & Art, 365 Merimon Ave., Asheville | Free | Check out animation paintings from the late artist Ron Campbell — best known for animating Saturday morning cartoons likes “Popeye,” “Scooby Doo,” and “Rugrats” — at this pop-up exhibit.
Eugene Mirman | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $35 | This comedian and actor is best known for his role as Gene Belcher on the tv show “Bob’s Burgers” — he’s also performed in several Comedy Central stand-up specials.
Te Ata | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St, Asheville | Free | Kick back with popcorn and enjoy a movie about Mary Thompson Fisher, aka Te Ata, a famous actress and Native American storyteller.

Friday, Nov. 11

Cold Mountain Release Weekend at Highland Brewing | Friday, Nov. 11-Monday, Nov. 14 | 12-4 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | $10-$20 | Join Highland Brewing Company for its annual celebratory release of the Cold Mountain Ale featuring tasting sessions, food trucks, live music, and sweet treats.
1st Annual Holiday Collectors Ornament Show | Friday, Nov. 11 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Wedge Building, 123 Roberts St., Asheville | Free | Check out ornaments created by 15 Asheville artists, enjoy complimentary drinks, and chat with featured artists.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Calling all ugly sweaters

How ugly can you get? | Graphic by 6AM City

It’s sweater weather, and we want to make it count.

Send us your ugly Christmas sweatshirt designs for a chance to be featured on our all-over print sweatshirts + added to our online Six & Main store.

We don’t want to see the good, just the ugly.

SEND YOUR DESIGNS HERE

Weather

69º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Announced

The 76th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade will take place Saturday, Nov. 19. The parade will feature decorated floats, marching bands, and other performances. Local chefs and restaurateurs, Katie Button and Meherwan Irani, will serve as this year’s Grand Marshals. 🎄

Outdoors

DuPont State Recreational Forest has named Virginia-based Mattern & Craig as the key consultant for its forthcoming Master Recreation Plan. The plan aims to make recommendations for infrastructure improvements + trail system management, which could impact trails, roads, bathrooms, and beyond. 🗺️ (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Arts

The Asheville Area Arts Council has changed its name to ArtsAVL. ArtsAVL says the rebrand is inspired by a desire to simplify and clarify their mission of keeping the arts “at the heart of our community.” 🎨 (Mountain Xpress)

Read

Veteran journalist John Boyle has published his first column for Asheville Watchdog. Read about why he decided to join the team — and his take on the state of local media — here. 🗞️

Eat

Love the warmly-spiced flavor of Cold Mountain beer? How about in popcorn form? In honor of this weekend’s Cold Mountain Release Celebration, Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn will release a limited-edition Cold Mountain-flavored popcorn, which will only be available at Highland Brewing’s release party. 🍿

History

Back in the 1960s, paper dresses were sweeping the nation — and plenty of Ashevillians hopped on the trend. Check out this fascinating history of Waste Basket Boutique, an Asheville-based manufacturer that got its start manufacturing paper dresses from 1966-1969. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Listen

Did you know? Several UNC Asheville faculty members have appeared on popular podcasts like Ologies with Alie Ward and Her Two Cents. Bookmark this Professors on Podcasts page to listen to fascinating expert interviews during your next road trip. 🎧 *

Featured

Asheville was recently listed as one of “7 Cities for Remote Workers Who Love the Outdoors” by Livability.com. The French Broad Greenway and our city’s “relaxed mountain lifestyle” were cited as core reasons that Asheville made the list. 🥾

Announced

Things are about to get ugly because we want to see your best ugly holiday sweater design. If it’s selected, it will be featured on a sweatshirt in our AVLtoday Six & Main shop for purchase. How ugly can you get? Email your design to us. 👀

DYK

Did you know there’s still time to share your Black Friday deals with our AVLtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Friday, Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Beauty

Consider us influenced by this best-selling mascara, which has 20,000+ five-star reviews. Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara™ delivers a phenomenal look, a non-toxic formula, and even creates longer, stronger, and healthier eyelashes over time. Bonus: Get 15% off your entire first purchase.*

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Your guide to the 2022 General Election

Your guide to the 2022 election in Asheville and Buncombe County

Ten-year old resident Polly Crutchfield designed this year’s “I Voted” sticker. | Photo by AVLtoday

Today is the big day — and we’ve done the Googling so you don’t have to. To make voting as easy as possible, we’ve curated need-to-know information about how and where to vote, along with what we’re voting on — from Asheville City Council seats and bonds to the mayoral election. 👇

Are you registered?
First things first, make sure you’re eligible + registered to vote.

Find your polling location + sample ballot
Buncombe County polling places will be open on Tues., Nov. 8 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Pro tip: As long as you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you will have the chance to vote. Unsure where to go? Double check by requesting voter information.

What are we voting on?
Asheville residents will vote on a mayor, city council seats, school board seats, and beyond. Click the button below to see the full guide for Asheville and Buncombe County voters.

SEE WHO'S ON THE BALLOT

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Laura.

Editor’s pick: I can’t believe it’s almost time for another Asheville Holiday Parade. Last year, Brook and I had the honor of serving as Grand Marshals. If you’ve never been, we highly recommend checking it out.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here are some tips for composting fall leaves and other waste, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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