Food For Adventures

MADE BY MOUNTAINS STORY

It all started with a passion for sharing the love of Western North Carolina with the rest of the United States, leading to a wonderful road trip filled with new friendships, collaborations, and delightful recipes.

Outdoor culinary and educational company, Food For Adventures, embarked on a “Cooking, Camping, & Conversations” nationwide tour, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Cascades, and back North to wild and scenic Maine.

Written by Lee “Natty” Trebotich

cooking up conversations

It all started with a passion for sharing the love of Western North Carolina with the rest of the United States, leading to a wonderful road trip filled with new friendships, collaborations, and delightful recipes. We kicked off our 2024 “Cooking, Camping, & Conversations” tour from Asheville, NC, traveling across the U.S. while camping and cooking in various states, including AR, KS, CO, UT, OR, MT, ID, and more! Our adventure took us from the Appalachian Mountains to the breathtaking Cascades in WA, and then back across the country to explore the Northeast and the uncharted territory of Maine.

TRAVERSING THE NATION with wnc gear

From the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest, back to the North East, we were lucky enough to take a variety of outdoor companies and organizations with us on our tour. Those companies included: “Made By Mountains, ENO, The Appalachian Adventure Company, Pirani, The Uproar Concept, SylvanSport, Hellbender Paddleboards, Stringbean Bags, NERO Coffee, Second Gear, NEMO Equipment, The Outdoor Business Alliance of WNC and more! From paddling demos, to cooking classes for the masses; we had a blast showing off the amazing gear from back home in the WNC Mountains! As an outdoor cooking and education company, our mission is to highlight the beauty of nature through food, education, and late-night campfires.

During our journey, we participated in several events, including feeding hundreds of hungry hikers at Pacific Crest Trail Days & Appalachian Trail Days; plus outdoor education classes at multiple Overland EXPOs. We visited numerous outdoor outfitters, such as Walkabout in Richmond, VA, where we showcased local gear. Our aim was to educate the public not only about the incredible outdoor gear from Western North Carolina, but also about outdoor cooking and nutrition. We had a great time showcasing locally crafted bags from Stringbean Bags and inviting people to try out the world’s best hammock from ENO. We also highlighted the new “GOAT” (GO-All Terrain) trailer from SylvanSport, giving people an up-close and personal look at the comfort and reliability of this ultimate overland camper and off road trailer! From brewing locally roasted Asheville coffee and serving it in sustainable, reusable cups from Pirani, we certainly demonstrated how we embrace the outdoors in our daily life in North Carolina.

into the parks

Our travels took us to set up camp and explore a range of State and National Parks, including Yellowstone, Craters of the Moon, Dinosaur National Monument, Wilson Lake, and more. While in the Parks, we interacted with a variety of outdoor enthusiasts including park rangers, local guides, adventure junkies, and daytrippers. One of the most exciting experiences during our travels was showcasing Hellbender Paddleboards on diverse water surfaces. From the Green River flowing through Dinosaur National Monument to Idaho’s Great Snake River, we demonstrated the high quality of the gear and the passion invested in crafting equipment that can withstand any adventure! The craftsmanship and passion invested in each product truly showcases the love, dedication, and time required to create a world-class WNC gear to last a lifetime. We felt genuinely privileged to represent and highlight the gear made in our community, and to showcase the exceptional quality of food and service that our company, Food For Adventures offers to every outdoor enthusiast.

Heading Home to wnc

We returned home from our cooking tour a day before Hurricane Helene struck the WNC area. Thankfully, we were not delayed, as this storm caused devastating damage to our home, our region, and our neighboring towns and states. Now in the New Year, the aftermath of Helene remains horrific. While rebuilding and recovering our communities, our businesses and our trails is getting started, the timeline for our region’s recovery is still uncertain. In light of the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, it’s more important than ever to shine a light on the beauty, history, culture, and spirit of Western North Carolina.

Our hometown and surrounding areas face unimaginable challenges and will need all the support available to recover and rebuild. Prioritize supporting local businesses, enabling us to move ahead and get ready for the upcoming year. Stand together with our communities, families, and businesses, so we can all recover forward. Together, we can make a meaningful impact by choosing to shop local, attend community events, and volunteer our time to support those affected.

"...it's more important than ever to shine a light on the beauty, history, culture, and spirit of Western North Carolina"

Lee "Natty" Trebotich

looking forward to 2025

As Food For Adventures prepares for our 2025 tour, we are committed to incorporating initiatives that directly benefit the rebuilding efforts in our beloved WNC. We plan to host fundraising events, workshops, and cooking classes that bring people together and raise awareness and support for the ongoing recovery. Our journey has taught us the strength of community and the importance of resilience. With your help, we can continue to celebrate the uniqueness of Western North Carolina, showcasing the talent and spirit that make it a special place. We are grateful for the friendships and partnerships we’ve formed along the way and look forward to expanding our network of outdoor enthusiasts and food lovers.

As we move forward, we strive to make 2025 a year of healing, growth, and adventure. Whether you’re joining us around a campfire, sharing a meal, or exploring the great outdoors, know that you are part of a community that values connection, creativity, and the beauty of nature. Together, let’s embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead, and keep the vibrant spirit of WNC alive and thriving. We eagerly anticipate the partnerships that 2025 will bring with upcoming collaborations focused on recipes, modeling, and educational initiatives! We look forward to representing our WNC community once again across the country, and stoked to share the “Mountain Fever” of the Blue Ridge Mountains.