Alumni Success

Brandon Priester shares experiences of education, equity at MLK Prayer Gathering

February 7th 2022 At the age of 16, Brandon Priester was expelled from school for the second time. While attending high school in Black Mountain, Priester got into trouble with the law and was told repeatedly he wasn't going to find a job or have a future.

HCLT AmeriCorp volunteer lends helping hand in community

January 21st 2022 Asheville native and Western Carolina University grad Stephanie Dillingham is spending her time post graduation in Highlands serving the Highlands Cashiers Land Trust maintaining trails and organizing educational efforts through AmeriCorp.

Falling in Love with Mountains and Beer

November 4th 2021 Leah Rainis, Executive Director of Asheville Brewers Alliance, A.A.S., Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation (2018)Long before Leah Rainis moved to Asheville in 2016, she had fallen in love with craft beer.

Chef profile: Steve Goff of Jargon in West Asheville talks about the importance of failure

June 29th 2021 Asheville — The trajectory of Steve Goff's career — from homeless dishwasher to lauded executive chef — is as unlikely as it is a great story.Once a train-hopping gutter punk, Goff stopped along the way in Asheville in 2003 to protest for gay rights.

A Dedication to Flavors

May 7th 2021 Kether SmithA.A.S. Culinary Arts (2003)Co-owner, Botanist & Barrel

A-B Tech’s Cooper Selected for Appalachian Leadership Institute

October 5th 2020 Philip Cooper, UpSkill WNC Coordinator at A-B Tech, was selected for the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Appalachian Leadership Institute for 2020-2021, which is a comprehensive leadership and

'It's a dream I didn't know I even had,' Rye Knot owner says

September 1st 2020 Asheville, N.C. (WLOS) — While many restaurants and bars are struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a combined spirits operation is opening in Asheville.'It's a dream I didn't know I even had,' Rye Knot owner says.

A-B Tech Alum Beats Bobby Flay

August 10th 2020 Reza Setayesh, an A-B Tech alum and former Culinary instructor, was declared the winner on “Beat Bobby Flay” which aired August 9 on the Food Network. His signature dish was Jian Bing, a Chinese savory crepe that is often a breakfast street food.

'You'Ll Lose Our Heart': Latino Chefs Talk New Projects, Dangers Of Losing Indie Eateries

July 8th 2020 Pachamama is the earth goddess revered by the Indigenous people of the Andes.

Classes at A-B Tech Lead to Rewarding Career Change

May 18th 2020 After being a plumber for 13 years, Joshua Hollingsworth realized he couldn’t see himself doing it forever. The physical demands were tough and being on call 24/7 kept him away from his family more often than not.

A-B Tech Graduate Credits A-B Tech with Work Success

May 3rd 2020 Chris Hamilton moved to Asheville five years ago knowing he wanted to go to school and study computers. “I happened to find A-B Tech and I loved it,” he said,

10 things you didn't know about Ernest Grant, the first male ANA president

April 14th 2020 Registered nurse Ernest Grant has been making headlines for the past year, starting in January when he became the first male president of the American Nurses Association.