Murphy – The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Forks & Corks – Local Savor dinner fundraiser was again held at The Hackney Warehouse on June 5 with a change from last year’s two scheduled sittings into one continuous event to enjoy the evening’s 11 vendors’ offerings.
This year’s event also kicked off the #WNCOpenForBusiness Social Media campaign for western North Carolina. Conceived by several Chambers of Commerce throughout the region, the hashtag serves as a way for both visitors and businesses to highlight both the reopening of those businesses affected by Hurricane Helene and those in the far-western portion, which were not as severely impacted.
Executive Director Victoria Ivie said after attending a meeting of the various chambers that Cherokee County was proud to participate in the ribbon cutting for the hashtag campaign, which was officially launched June 1-7, along with Casey Kerr of the Tourism Development Agency, Mici Canales of Visit Smokies, Aaron Patton of Tri-County Community College, Laura Lachance of the Murphy Downtown Development and Becca McNabb, vice president of the chamber of commerce.
Denise Moore again provided her signature vintage jazz renditions, accompanied by Michael Ewbank, as attendees enjoyed the varieties of small plate meals during the balmy late spring evening. Carmen Lance of Ameriprise Financial offered a Cigar Bar outside for those wanting to enjoy an evening smoke with either their aperitif or post-dinner drink.
This year’s 11 vendors included several new to the event, including Cat Daddy’s Creole Cuisine Food Truck, whose spicy gumbo cups set tongues ablaze in the best ways; to Hanging Dog General Store’s homemade chicken and dumplings, which regularly sell out each Wednesday it’s offered.
On the sweeter side of things, Rare Bird Emporium in Murphy was offering a pair of their donuts, including cinnamon and powdered. Andrews’ Morning Fog Coffee & Eats also debuted this year, with small plates of pancakes and sausage along with handmade muffins and pastries.
On the craft beer front, both Buck Bald Brewing Murphy and Hoppy Trout Brewing Co. in Andrews again returned for the event, with Hoppy Trout owners Corey and Kam Thompson unable to be there because of the renovation of their future home at the former Blue Stage. Patrick Keenan of Buck Bald was on hand offering three taps from its recently opened new location in downtown Murphy, including one he particularly urged imbibers to repeat several times along with the brewery’s popular Kosmic Kitty India Pale Ale.
Making their debut in the wine sector was Eagle Fork Vineyards with a variety of reds and whites. Another newly opened business made a splash with the “mocktail” Summer Breeze as Mountain Vale Lodge offered the savory and tangy citrus sipper. FernCrest Winery of Andrews was also in attendance with a wide selection of award winning sweet and dry vintages.
Ivie announced the winners of the People’s Choice award in a video posted to Facebook shortly after the event, with Buck Bald Brewing Murphy taking first place in the beverage category for the fourth year in a row. Andrews’ represented well in the beverage category, with FernCrest taking second place and Hoppy Trout’s Schoffbauer German Altbier, which is a namesake of owner Kam’s family, taking third.
The People’s Choice food category winner in first place was The Ark food truck for its well-known menu offerings, including the mango slaw that was still on everyone’s lips even after sampling. Tied for second place this year was Murphy’s Chophouse with a spice rubbed prime rib with Asian cilantro slaw, and Hanging Dog General Store for those dumplings.
Begun in 2015, with only one year missed due to COVID-19, the event provides an opportunity for the chamber to showcase the varying breweries, restaurants and wineries in Cherokee County. It gives members and the public a chance to interact with business owners and learn more about the burgeoning and vibrant local foodie scene.
Ivie reminded the crowd of more than 200 attendees that this annual fundraiser provides monies to help cover costs of the event as well as supplementing the chamber’s revenue streams, such as membership dues and sponsorships, ensuring financial stability and community engagement to promote Cherokee County’s business communities.
Attendees were offered one free raffle ticket for turning in a completed “Fare Passport” hole-punched by each business. With more than 20 local businesses offering gift baskets and certificates for raffle prizes the chamber was also able to promote many other business from both the retail and service sectors.
Details: Visit cherokeecountychamber.com.