Chef Ashley Christensen
Chef/owner Poole's Diner
June 22 - 24, 2012

The combination of food and community has always played an integral role in Ashley Christensen's personal and professional life. Ashley began cooking for friends and family in college. Bringing people together at intimate dinner parties helped her recognize her passion for the craft of cooking and sharing food. When Ashley landed her first professional cooking job at 21, she knew she had found her life's work. Thus began her simple, off-the-cuff style of cooking and visiting that was first developed during those dinners. Ashley was raised in Greensboro, North Carolina by two parents who placed incredible importance on growing, cooking, eating and appreciating food. They instilled in Ashley a deep respect for locally grown produce and the people that create it. In December 2007, Ashley opened Poole's Diner; a former shotgun diner of the same name with 70 seats that had been one of Raleigh's oldest dining establishments. Her commitment to North Carolina farmers is clear in her first solo venture which offers an evolving menu of local, seasonal fare. Poole's counts many Raleigh residents and visitors as regulars and has quickly gained national attention from Bon Appétit, Gourmet, The New York Times and Southern Living. In 2008, The News & Observer named Poole's "Best New Restaurant." Ashley was named one of the "Female Chefs of the Next Generation" by Bon Appétit in their 2008 annual restaurant issue and holds the title of The Independent Weekly's “Best Local Chef” four years running.

For more information on culinary weekends and to book your weekend package, please call 866.451.6750 or 662.451.6750.