Fresh vegan flavors are headed to Mars Hill

LIMAQ, a vegan Peruvian restaurant, to open in Mars Hill

Chef Chuck Cutler-Gutierrez at the future site of LIMAQ. | Photo by AVLtoday

It was less than a year ago that artist, stage designer, and chef Chuck Cutler-Gutiérrez launched Ayni 51, a pop-up series with a focus on bright, experimental, multi-course vegan cuisine inspired by provinces all over Peru.

Usually, it takes time for new ventures like these to gain momentum — but in Gutiérrez’s case, tickets began selling out immediately, at the very first dinner.

The vegan chef, who moved from Lima, Peru to Asheville in 2020, has taken that as a sign and decided to run with it. This February — pending the success of a $35,000 crowdfunding campaign — they plan to launch their first brick-and-mortar, LIMAQ, with their partner Crain Cutler-Gutierrez inside a converted dry cleaner in Mars Hill (745 Carl Eller Rd.).

LIMAQ Ayni51 chefs — Chefs Chuck and Crain Cutler-Gutierrez plating at an Ayni51 pop-up.

“I started doing this because I missed my food,” Chuck explained, who uses they/them pronouns. “I was cooking for friends and as a way to get to know new people... and then people were like, hey, do you do catering?”

One opportunity led to another, and by the end of 2022, Ayni51 netted more than 30 successful pop-up events. The name Ayni51, said Chuck, reflects their passion for community, and more specifically, the Andean concept of reciprocity and Peru’s international calling code.

At LIMAQ, the Gutiérrez duo intend to keep that same spirit of “ayni” with a family-style dining approach. The 2,300-sqft space will blend industrial, cement walls emblematic of Lima’s “panza de burro” grey sky with neon lights and the bright, bold, street art known as Chicha art in Peru.

mushroom anticucho chuck gutierrez limaq — Skewers of mushroom anticucho over coals.

Guests will be served bowls of potatoes and rice to accompany a selection of small plates, hot and cold mains, soups, and dessert. In addition to plenty of fresh vegetables, these plant-based dishes will be punctuated with a lively array of sauces, including the ocopa, a creamy, peppery relish made with Peruvian black mint and peanuts, and a dairy-free, queso-like huancaína.

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Thursday, Jan. 19

Wine Tasting | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 5:30 p.m. | Outsider Brewing, 939 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $10 | Join Rise Over Run Wine, a small import and wine distribution company, for a guided tasting of five different wines.
Tail Waggin’ Good Time Adoption Event | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 1-4 p.m. | Wag Bar, 320 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville | Free | Head over to Wag Bar to meet a crew of adoptable pups.
History of the Old Shiloh Community | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 5:30 p.m. | Shiloh AME Zion Church, 95 Shiloh Rd., Asheville | $10 suggested donation | Johnny Baxter Award winners and UNC Asheville history students present on the history of the Old Shiloh community and its move to Shiloh’s present location.

Friday, Jan. 20

Larkin Poe | Friday, Jan. 20 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $28-$30 | Catch the Grammy-nominated duo of singer/songwriter sisters performing their own blend of blues, Americana, and Southern rock.

Saturday, Jan. 21

Lunar New Year Dining Experience | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 7-11 p.m. | Event Center at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Ste. 200, Asheville | $55-$75 | Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with live entertainment, special brews, and a variety of small plates curated by Chef Raymond Hui from Gan Shan.
Indigenous Walls Project - January 2023 Native Market | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Indigenous Wall Project Gallery, 46 Aston St., Asheville | Free | Explore contemporary and traditional arts, crafts, and foods at this Indigenous-run market.
The Magnetic Theatre presents Riveted: A Staged Reading | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 2 p.m. | The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St., Asheville | $15 | This folk musical explores generations of women — specifically how each woman learns from (or bucks against) the traditions of her mother, and her mother before her.
f**k resolutions… how to actually feel good and enjoy your health journey | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Ruff Life, 95 Thompson St., Asheville | Free | Lauren Furgiuele, Taylor McNair, and Tera Pruett present the “unconventional woman’s guide” to nutrition, training, and pelvic health.

Sunday, Jan. 22

Weekly Sunday Scrabble Club | Sunday, Jan. 22 | 12:15-4:30 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Come by to play your favorite word game — it’s okay to come late or leave early.

We have a calendar filled with events and 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

Weather

64º | Showers | 70% chance of rain

Open

ICYMI, West End Bakery has officially reopened under new management. According to Ashevegas, Chef Don Hutchins purchased the business earlier this month — and yes, the cinnamon rolls have also returned. Check out the revamped space. 🥯

Try This

Love truffles? Next month, the Asheville Truffle Experience will dedicate a full weekend to these gourmet, edible spores from Friday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 13. Activities include a private truffle tasting, film screening, culinary demo, excursion to a truffle orchard, and beyond. Get tickets. 🍄

Outdoors

Those visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be required to get a parking tag if they plan to park for more than 15 minutes. Annual tags are now available for purchase and the rule will kick in on Wednesday, March 1. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Community

A local group of young storytellers named Arteria Collective will help document the journey of the Community Reparations Commission over the next few years. The team of seven will document the commission through oral, visual, and other forms of storytelling. (WLOS)

Drink

New Belgium Brewery has announced it will reimagine its flagship Fat Tire beer. The new version of the 32 year-old beer will have a crisper, brighter flavor + new design that highlights the company’s investments in climate solutions. Check out the new design. 🍺

Featured

Local business 18 Chestnuts was recently featured in Forbes’ “Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Aphrodisiacs To Gift.” The company, led by entrepreneur Ilona Kossoff, creates healthy, vegan soups that are “great for a romantic dinner or a gift.” 🍲

Edu

UNC Asheville’s teacher licensure program helps prep future educators with the best tools they’ll need to succeed in the classroom, earning both a single-subject bachelor’s degree and a teaching license. Sounds like a good deal, right? Don’t take our word for it — meet three educators from the program.*

Travel

Scott’s Cheap Flights is going, going...Going. The travel membership that saves you hundreds on flights has a new name, and in honor of the rebrand, you can get 30% off a Premium membership with code 6AMCITY30. What you’ll get: last minute weekend trips, mistake fares, and early deal alerts. ✈️*

Featured Home

Located close to the heart of downtown Black Mountain (less than two blocks from Lake Tomahawk), this sleek, high-end 3 BD, 3 BA home was built with energy efficiency in mind and is filled with architectural + artistic detail. Pro tip: Use it as a short term rental or a low-maintenance primary residence. 🏡 *

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Culture

6 ski slopes to check out this winter

Beech Mountain Resort is the highest ski area in Eastern America. | Photo by @girlsgoshred

‘Tis the season for shredding ice, so we’ve created a guide for the best skiing experiences around NC. 🏂

Bonus: Some of these locations offer ice skating, tubing, zip lining, beer, and shopping. Even better, they all offer hot cocoa.

For the last-minute day trip…

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort | Mars Hill, ~40 minute drive

Perfect for those who want to spend more time on the slopes than on the road. In addition to skiing + snowboarding 15 slopes, you can spend your day on the Tube Run featuring a “magic carpet” lift.

For those who want to stay more than one day...

Sugar Mountain Resort | Sugar Mountain, 1.5 hour drive

This spot has it all: 21 slopes, eight lifts, ice skating, tubing, snowshoeing, 15 nearby lodging options, five nearby spas, and plenty of spots to eat, shop, and drink.

4 MORE SLOPES

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Laura.

Editor’s pick: It’s never too early to start thinking about CSA options. In fact, for me, thinking about boxes of fresh veggies is a real winter pick-me-up. This year, I’m signing up for Feed AVL Farm‘s CSA. This queer-run, urban farm has incredible produce and they also offer free boxes for BIPOC individuals and families in our community.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Explore the wide world of local murals, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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