Eric Scheffer has been a pioneer and key member of the Asheville food scene for over 23 years.

Originally from Brooklyn and raised on Long Island, Mr. Scheffer left behind a successful television and advertising career in L.A. to chase his true passions: food, wine, and people. After completely revamping The Savoy in 2000 to become one of the country’s preeminent fine dining restaurants—as well as put Asheville on the map as a restaurant destination—he went on to co-found AIR, the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association.

Among Mr. Scheffer’s numerous hospitality ventures are the creation of Dining Innovations, Asheville’s premiere catering & corporate events company, Bodega Gratia, a boutique Argentinian winery, and Victus World Imports, where he imported wines from Argentina, Spain, and France. He currently owns Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian (voted best Italian restaurant in Asheville for 12 years in a row) and Jettie Rae’s Oyster House. With a slew of other concepts in the works, Mr. Scheffer is only just getting started.

“Relentless generosity brings us closer together,” he often says, and the spirit of that sentiment is easy to see in every project he tackles.