EP# 209: From Harvard to the Hearth: How Ofri Hirsch Built Asheville Mountain Kitchen
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What makes Ofri Hirsch with Asheville Mountain Kitchen a good neighbor?
Skip Mauney welcomes Ofri Hirsch to the Good Neighbor Podcast, where she shares her fascinating journey from Harvard-trained architect to the passionate owner of Asheville Mountain Kitchen. Her recreational cooking school has become a local favorite for team-building events, cooking competitions, and summer day camps for children throughout Western North Carolina.
With warmth and enthusiasm, Ofri reveals how cooking was always her side passion before becoming her full-time calling. Her mission? Dispelling the myth that cooking is complicated and restoring confidence to those who've been discouraged by bad recipes. "I've met a lot of people who are scared of cooking," she explains, highlighting how her classes create a supportive environment where culinary fears transform into kitchen confidence.
The conversation takes a powerful turn when Ofri opens up about her personal health journey. Diagnosed with three autoimmune diseases as a teenager, she made a life-changing decision not to be victimized by her condition. This determination led her to extensive research and eventually helping others overcome similar health challenges through nutrition and cooking. Her philosophy is straightforward yet profound: "If you're eating out, you're not just wasting your money, you're wasting your health." Specializing in Mediterranean and Southeast Asian cuisines, Ofri teaches that using real, unprocessed ingredients is the foundation of healthy home cooking.
Whether you're looking to improve your culinary skills, seeking a meaningful team-building experience, or wanting to enroll your child in a cooking camp, Asheville Mountain Kitchen offers something for everyone. Visit their website to book your spot and discover why Ofri describes her work as "a labor of love." Ready to transform your relationship with food and cooking? Ofri and her team are waiting to welcome you.
To learn more about Asheville Mountain Kitchen go to:
https://ashevillemountainkitchen.com/
Asheville Mountain Kitchen
917-566 5238
Chapters
1. Introduction to Ofri Hirsch (00:00:00)
2. From Architecture to Cooking School (00:02:22)
3. Marketing a Culinary Business (00:04:20)
4. Overcoming Autoimmune Challenges (00:06:03)
5. Healthy Home Cooking Philosophy (00:08:20)
6. Connect with Asheville Mountain Kitchen (00:10:40)
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