ASHEVILLE (May 6, 2020) — Hatteras Sky, a commercial real estate development firm headquartered in Atlanta, has partnered with Asheville chef Jacob Sessoms for future projects within the city. Best known for culinary destinations including Table, The Imperial Life, Cultura – recently named a 2020 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant – and All Day Darling, Sessoms has shifted focus to takeout and grocery sales during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the COVID-19 crisis, we have seen the hospitality industry take a devastating hit and Jacob has shown tremendous leadership by pivoting his business strategy to support his staff and community,” said Amy Kelly, Chief Operations Officer of Hatteras Sky. “He has been able to keep the doors open and most staff employed, while serving a full menu for daily pickup and delivery, and we are proud to have someone of his character, professionalism, and skill join our team at Hatteras Sky.”

As Director of Operations, Food and Beverage, for Hatteras Sky, Sessoms will work directly with local talent to re-employ industry workers who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. As an immediate result of the partnership, restaurants Table and The Imperial Life will reopen in new, centrally located downtown sites alongside two additional concepts anticipated to bring 50-60 jobs back to Asheville as soon as safely possible. Both Sessoms and Hatteras Sky are hopeful for a 2020 reopening.

In addition, Hatteras Sky estimates the creation of another 130-150 food and beverage job openings in 2021 and 2022 given anticipated developments in their pipeline for Asheville. Sessoms will also work closely with Hatteras Sky’s interior designers, architects and operators to ensure the re-development projects remain true to the heart and soul of Asheville. He will have a hand in the direction of onsite restaurants, cocktail bars, special event catering and menu conceptualization for forthcoming Asheville projects.

“In this time, it’s important to continue looking to the future, and I’m excited to be doing so with the Hatteras Sky team. We have a joint focus on uplifting and supporting our neighbors, in addition to developing new projects and destinations,” said Sessoms. “In the last month, our community has transformed and taken on new measures to survive. I’m proud to be a part of this industry and look forward to bringing new culinary experiences to Asheville.”

Most recently in the wake of COVID-19, Sessoms has turned his focus to a takeout menu and grocery sales out of his neighborhood cafe, All Day Darling. In addition to takeout, All Day Darling launched a grocery market where guests can purchase fresh produce, meats, coffee and more from local purveyors such as Joyce Farm, Olivette Farms and local dairy providers four days a week.

Sessoms has been a staple within the Asheville community since opening his first concept Table, a highly creative, seasonal, chef-driven concept in 2005. Lovingly known as the “grandfather of creative cooking” within the culinary community, his restaurants have received high praise throughout the years including being named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast in 2010, Rising Star Chef and 2013 Star Chef’s gala host. His seasoned resume includes formal training at French Culinary Institute in New York City and working alongside Jonathan Waxman at Washington Park and Peter Hoffman at Savoy.

 

For more information on Hatteras Sky, click here. To support Sessoms and learn more about his efforts, please visit All Day Darling’s website.

Read the full Citizen Times coverage HERE.