NEWS, HAPPENINGS, AND STORIES FROM AROUND THE CLIFFS

Meet Chef Richard Gras Chef Richard has worked across the world, serving on the opening teams of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s J&G Grill/St. Regis Bal Harbour, and Pier A in New York City. He also served as Chef de Cuisine at Oak Restaurant in Dallas, Texas; Executive Sous Chef […]

Meet Chef Kevin Furmanek Chef Kevin earned a certificate in culinary arts from the Morris County School of Technology in New Jersey and an associate of science degree from Johnson & Wales in Providence, Rhode Island. His first kitchen job was at Rosemary and Sage in Riverdale, New Jersey. He also worked as Sous Chef […]

Meet Chef Edwin Bloodworth Chef Edwin honed his craft working under James Beard Award nominees and Food & Wine Award-winning chefs. A graduate of Appalachian State University, he has served as Executive Chef at Balsam Mountain Preserve in Sylva, North Carolina; Lex 18 in Asheville, North Carolina; and The Gamekeeper Restaurant in Boone, North Carolina. […]

Meet Chef Joey Fazio Chef Joey grew up helping his mom in the kitchen and got his first job in high school at a local pizzeria. He spent his early career working as a Sous Chef and Chef de Cuisine in popular Upstate South Carolina restaurants – including Ristorante Bergamo, Stellar Restaurant & Wine Bar […]

Meet Chef Shaun Creef Chef Shawn holds a degree in culinary arts technology from the Culinary Institute of the Carolinas at Greenville Technical College. He has worked as Chef de Partie, Sous Chef, Executive Sous Chef and Executive Chef at The Piedmont Club in Spartanburg, South Carolina; Larkin’s Restaurants and Rick Erwin Dining Group in […]

Meet Chef Eric Fulkerson Chef Eric got his first cooking job at age 16, and he’s been in the industry ever since. He earned a degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University. He has worked as Sous Chef and Chef de Cuisine at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia; Executive Chef at The Bald […]

Meet Chef Francis Turk Chef Francis graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in professional studies. He is a Certified Sommelier via The Court of Master Sommeliers. Chef Francis has been with The Cliffs since 2006; prior to that, he worked at […]

Farm to Table Dining with Local Farmers Markets Birds are chirping, warm weather is just around the corner, and the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains of the Carolinas will once again turn a delightful shade of green. This can only mean one thing ––  soon, local farms will be brimming with fresh varieties of fruit, vegetables, […]

Working in front of – and behind – the camera lens. Linda & Michael O’Bryon focused their careers on opposite ends of the camera lens. She’s an Emmy-winning broadcast journalist and he’s a Pulitzer-nominated freelance photographer. At the end of the day, however, the couple describe themselves as storytellers. “Storytelling is the essence of journalism,” […]

A retirement filled with honey-do lists. He’d heard about that sweet spot in retirement — the place where couples don’t work but still stay happily occupied — so as the big date drew near, Jeff Moser started thinking of hobbies that would complement his wife DeAnn’s interests. She likes to garden. He enjoys cycling and […]

‘Cake Ninja’ sprinkles personality into everything she bakes. Judi Wojciechowski has been busy, as the five cakes covering an entire kitchen island can attest. Purple flowers festoon a sweet-potato cake with maple cinnamon buttercream, and pastel candies wreathe a vegan lemon cake. An overturned wine glass is embedded in the top of a red velvet […]

5 of the Best Social Distancing Getaways During COVID Let’s face it, 2020 has been a whirlwind of a year! With the ongoing global pandemic forcing many people to change their vacation plans, you may find yourself searching for a way to get away from it all and recharge your mind, body, and soul. Continue […]