MT. AIRY, Ga. (Jan. 13, 2015) – Executive Chef Chris Coleman of The Asbury has won the prestigious Springer Mountain Farms Celebrate the Chef Award. Coleman exemplifies everything that makes a chef reputable – an established culinary background, community involvement and a passion for creating the most innovative dishes.

Springer Mountain Farms, known for its flavorful chicken raised without antibiotics, presents the Celebrate the Chef Award each quarter to one Charlotte-area chef who represents a high-end restaurant, provides top-notch service and features Springer Mountain Farms chicken on the menu. The award is part of Springer Mountain Farms’ commitment to supporting the Charlotte community.

A Charlotte native, Coleman supports and celebrates local cuisine with his flavorful menus inspired by his southern roots and the culturally diverse modern south. His locally sourced fare is crafted with produce, seafood and meats from 40 local farmers and artisans.

"We use only the freshest, highest quality ingredients to create our flavorful menu selections," said Coleman. "The chicken we serve from Springer Mountain Farms not only provides our guests with the healthiest on the market, but the most tender, flavorful and juiciest product that keeps our guests ordering entrees like our Springer Mountain Chicken + Dumplings time and time again.”

Coleman’s career began at Charlotte’s McNinch House as a kitchen assistant. After attending culinary school at Central Piedmont Community College, he was named executive chef in 2005. He has made appearances at the Atlanta Food + Wine Festival, TerraVITA in Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Restaurant Association’s “Manteo to Murphy” fundraiser. Coleman is a board member of the Piedmont Culinary Guild, a group joining Charlotte’s chefs and farmers, competed in the Got To Be NC Competition Dining Series’ Fire in the City and participates in monthly charitable fundraising events. In addition to his role at The Asbury, Coleman currently serves as Culinary Director for The Dunhill Hotel.

Coleman joins a select group of esteemed previous award recipients in Charlotte including Chef Jon Fortes of Mimosa Grill. Atlanta and Nashville-area chefs including Chef Edgar Pendley of Urban Grub, Chef Chip Ulbrich of South City Kitchen, Chef Linda Harrell of Cibo E Beve, Chef Ron Eyester of Rosebud and Chef Trey Cioccia of The Farm House have also received the Celebrate the Chef Award.

Celebrate the Chef Award winners receive promotional assistance and a set of television appearances to showcase their restaurant, menu selections and talent. View Coleman’s award video here to learn more about his work with The Asbury. If you are interested in learning more about the award program and how to get involved, please contact Dale Faunce at dalefaunce@springermountainfarms.com or 706-778-5100.

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About Springer Mountain Farms

Built on strong family values, Springer Mountain Farms is a Mt. Airy, Ga. - based poultry producer that promises the healthiest, most flavorful and top quality chickens on the market. The family-owned business was the first poultry company in America to be certified by the American Humane Association for the humane treatment of chickens. Springer Mountain Farms’ chickens are raised on a pesticide-free vegetarian diet without the use of antibiotics, steroids, growth stimulants or hormones. To learn more about Springer Mountain Farms, visit www.SpringerMountainFarms.com or mobile at m.springermountainfarms.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter @springermtnfarm and Pinterest.