Our Story

How it Started

Co-Owners Joe Scully and Kevin Westmoreland

A Restaurant is Born

When Joe Scully moved to Asheville in the year 2000, he was happy to be in such a beautiful place. Kevin Westmoreland was born here, and he never took the beauty the uniqueness of his hometown for granted.

Kevin and Joe met when their sons, both named Matthew, joined a local YMCA program. Their friendship blossomed into a business partnership when Joe proposed opening a restaurant. Kevin, with 15 years in management, prepared diligently, studying various restaurant management resources.

In February 2004, they launched Corner Kitchen in Historic Biltmore Village. The restaurant quickly became a local favorite, known for Joe’s handcrafted food and Kevin’s warm management style. As their success grew, realtors frequently approached them with new locations. They remained cautious, only expanding when the perfect opportunity at 48 Biltmore Ave presented itself, leading to the opening of their second restaurant, Chestnut.

What Makes Chestnut Special?

We are truly handcrafting our food.

All the desserts, even the sorbet and ice-cream are made right here. We produce our own Demi-Glace (amazing sauce), we cut our own French Fries, make our own pickled vegetables and do a lot of smoking fish and meats, as well as simple charcuterie. We purchase products from a host of local growers, ranchers, cheese makers and dairies. We don’t make a big deal out of it but it is kind of a big deal!

What makes Chestnut different?

Every month we change our dinner menu. Sure, a handful of items stay on such as the Calamari & Kale Salad, Charcuterie and Scratch-Made Lobster Bisque. But the majority rotate off and this keeps us on our toes. It allows Chef to foster a creative kitchen and keeps it exciting for the front of house staff who sell our food to YOU. A couple of days before the end of the month we host all of our staff for a “tasting” of the following month’s menu. It’s awesome!

We are delighted to have you here and hope your experience at Chestnut will be as good as ours has been.

Craft Food & Cocktails. That’s Chestnut in a nutshell.

Our Commitment

Giving Back

At Westmoreland & Scully (W&S), we believe that any company, regardless of size, positively impacts their community by being socially responsible.

Community

We are deeply connected to our community’s welfare, and support organizations that fund projects and nonprofits related to food, children, the local economy, and the environment.

Some of the organizations we commit time and funds to include Manna FoodBank, Eliada Homes, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, and ABCCM.

Employees

In addition to the community at large, ensuring that W&S employees make a living wage and have access to health plans, dental, vision, supplemental insurance, PTO, Sick Days, EAN, 401K (with matching contributions) and employee appreciation programs and celebrations.

Sweets for a Cause

Every quarter, Chestnut and Corner Kitchen donate a portion of dessert sales to a local non-profit. Previous SFAC Recipients (2018 - 2024): ABCCM’s Women’s Transformation Village, North Carolina Outward Bound, Asheville Greenworks, Our VOICE, Verner, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Mama Maisha, Pisgah Legal Services, ACS Foundation, Literacy Council of Buncombe County, True Ridge, BeLoved Asheville, Homeward Bound, SPARC Foundation, Community Action Opportunity, and The Hope Chest for Women.

Environment

Our dedication to the environment began in 2004 with a comprehensive recycling program. W&S’s composting program, implemented in 2005, became the inspiration and model for many other high-end independent restaurants in Asheville. We are also proud to say that Corner Kitchen is green certified. Last but not least, we always strive to partner with local farmers, makers, and producers to contribute to a circular economy.

Victims of Gun Violence

On April 30th, 2019, one of our former employees and member of our “family” was tragically killed. Riley Howell, the 21-year-old hero who courageously stood up against a gunman at the University of North Carolina—Charlotte campus, was the long-time boyfriend of Co-owner Kevin Westmoreland’s daughter, Lauren. We support the Riley Howell Foundation Fund which supports families affected by gun violence.

Partners

Chestnut is proud to partner with many local farms and businesses in Asheville and throughout Western North Carolina.

We believe in spending our money in the local community of farmers, makers, artists, and other business ventures. We know that energy and capital infused in the local community creates a healthy economy.