Ben Sullivan
Director of Culinary Operations, Cranford Hospitality
Benjamin Sullivan has over twenty years as a chef and restaurateur in North Carolina. He graduated summa cum laude from the inaugural class of Johnson & Wales Charlotte campus. Ben is currently the director of culinary operations for Cranford Hospitality in Hickory, North Carolina. He sits on the board of the Hickory Farmers’ Market working to promote local sustainable food systems and showcase the unique bounty of western North Carolina.
Rick Doherr
Owner/Chef Table Nomad Catering
Education:
Graduate Fred T. Foard 2003
Graduate of The Culinary Institute of America 2008 in Hyde Park, NY
Graduate of the Sichuan School of Higher Learning in Chengdu, China
Member of the Piedmont Culinary Guild
Farmers Market Board of directors, 2019 until 2021
Charity events:
March of Dimes, 8 years, Kids Cook, American Heart Association 5 years, Hickory Soup Kitchen, Dining on a Dime, American Heart Association
Hickory Farmers Market and CCM farm to table dinner, Foothills Conservancy, Flavors of foothills, Pig in the Park, Taste of Hickory, Girl scouts of America, Marine Ball Dinner, Least of these , Alfa, Outright Youth
Calvin Reyes
North Hickory Market Restaurant
Calvin Reyes is a storyteller with a passion for building and creating lasting memories. Whether restoring historic buildings, capturing moments through photography and videography, or expressing his culinary skills, Calvin thrives on sharing his life and passions with others. A lifelong cook, he excels in both intimate, multi-course dinners and fast-paced restaurant environments, embodying a deep love for the restaurant scene. Always engaged in multiple projects, Calvin is now focused on bringing North Hickory Market to life. His vision is to create a space where culinary artists can share their stories, passions, and creativity with the world through their food. At North Hickory Market, we will keep things fresh, and that’s not just talking about ingredients. Our menu will be dynamic and grounded in what we can source from our incredible local farmers. Everything is designed to show how farm-to-table can be approachable, fun and delicious without the need to be too fancy. We will be a fast-casual, family friendly restaurant in the heart of the OLLE Arts District that helps bring the community closer together and bridge the gap between the people that grow our food, prepare our food, and eat our food.
Jason Trivette
Owner Chef Trivettes Creations Catering
Born and raised in the foothills of western North Carolina Chef Jason Trivette grew up always wanting to cook thanks to his mother & grandmothers. Starting humbly in the industry as a dishwasher, his drive to learn and make the best food of his ability guided him through the ranks into running his first kitchen only 5 years later. Leaving there to work under many great chefs has helped him to hone his skills and passion into the ability to not only feed people but to deliver an experience as well. When feeding clients Chef Jason hopes they will have a moment of bliss and be taken to a special time or place in their lives that means something to them.
Tucker Bell
Owner/Chef of Home Fare Catering
Home Fare offers private catering and cooking classes for dinner parties and corporate events.
Hatch Sandwich Bar
Rilke is a Northern California native. She settled in NC after cooking chef-driven menus in San Francisco and NYC. She works at Hatch in downtown hickory, where she continues her passion to weave elevated, seasonal and local food with the community.
Bart Weber
Smolder and Smoke Foodtruck and Cranford Brothers BBQ
Bart Weber started cooking from a young age working in his family’s restaurants during the summers. He went on to attend culinary school in Charlotte and after worked as an Executive Chef for numerous kitchens such as bakeries, pubs, entertainment centers/catering, Asian fusion, pizza, fine dining, and resorts, culminating in over 20 years of experience. He is currently part owner of a BBQ food truck in Hickory, Smolder n' Smoke. Outside of work he spends his time fishing, gardening, playing disc golf, hiking, and foraging.
