Unpacked by AFAR · Friday, July 24, 2026
Raj, owner of Mehfil Indian restaurant, believes Asheville's rise as a culinary destination is not due to chefs moving there, but rather to people who chose to stay because of the city's accepting nature. He states that the community's support allows people to live peacefully, regardless of their background.
“I think Asheville became a good culinary place. Not because of good chefs moved here. It is the people who came never left.”
“Because this place is so accepting. This is the place to move where because I can at least live in peace and people will let me be and don't make a difference in my skin color, my hair color, my, you know, my clothes.”
“Raj now donates food every month. His whole staff insists on it.”