Katie Button is a five-time James Beard Foundation award nominated chef, cookbook author, media personality, and founder of Asheville-based Cúrate, a collection of restaurants, online marketplace, wine club and culinary journeys designed to connect people with the Spanish experience.
Katie earned a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, but her passion for food and travel ultimately guided her towards a career in the food world after being immersed in the industry at a young age. She honed her craft in the kitchens of some of the world’s best chefs, most notably Ferran Adrià and José Andrés, before finding her own success with her restaurant group, Button Meana Group, and Cúrate lifestyle brands.
Today, Button Meana Group houses Katie Button Media and Magnolia Network’s From The Source, a series exploring the origins and stories behind different ingredients, as well as the Cúrate brands – Katie’s bread and butter. This includes Cúrate Trips, Cúrate at Home and Cúrate Wine Club, as well as two restaurants, La Bodega by Cúrate and Cúrate Bar de Tapas, which won the James Beard Foundation Outstanding Hospitality award in 2022. In 2016, Katie extended the Cúrate brand to a new medium, releasing her first cookbook, Cúrate: Authentic Spanish Food from an American Kitchen.
Katie continues to challenge the industry standard, steadily building comprehensive benefits to create a sustainable work environment for her living wage-certified restaurant group.
I don`t know why, but lately I have been craving steak. Many people think about steak as a summer grilling activity, but for me when the days get shorter and colder it seems I crave it most of all.
... And apparently I`m not the only one with steak on the brain these days! Sharing a couple articles with you that came out recently where I contributed some info about one of my favorite hearty winter proteins.
Food & Wine shared a great compilation of steak recipes from a variety of accomplished chefs in their article highlighting “34 Steak Dinner Recipes from Filet Mignon to Rib-Eye” this week. I was happy to share a recipe for a great Hanger Steak, which includes a few secrets to preparing one of my favorite Cúrate sauces at home: our delicious seasonal romesco. (You can also find a variation on this romesco in the Cúrate cookbook.)
Additionally, Southern Living came out with a piece this week all about Flank Steak, which is conveniently one of my favorite steak cuts when prepared correctly. This lean cut is great when grilled or braised, the latter of which is a comforting option to enjoy with your favorite starch on a chilly day.
I have linked these two articles in my bio if you want to check them out!
I don`t know why, but lately I have been craving steak. Many people think about steak as a summer grilling activity, but for me when the days get shorter and colder it seems I crave it most of all.
... And apparently I`m not the only one with steak on the brain these days! Sharing a couple articles with you that came out recently where I contributed some info about one of my favorite hearty winter proteins.
Food & Wine shared a great compilation of steak recipes from a variety of accomplished chefs in their article highlighting “34 Steak Dinner Recipes from Filet Mignon to Rib-Eye” this week. I was happy to share a recipe for a great Hanger Steak, which includes a few secrets to preparing one of my favorite Cúrate sauces at home: our delicious seasonal romesco. (You can also find a variation on this romesco in the Cúrate cookbook.)
Additionally, Southern Living came out with a piece this week all about Flank Steak, which is conveniently one of my favorite steak cuts when prepared correctly. This lean cut is great when grilled or braised, the latter of which is a comforting option to enjoy with your favorite starch on a chilly day.
I have linked these two articles in my bio if you want to check them out!
Watching the news and articles roll in about the devastation in California hits a little differently for me now. I can feel the fear, uncertainty, and grief that they are going through and my heart aches. I read this @latimes article and then the @eater one about how restaurants are stepping up to help out their communities and yes it is inspiring, and it’s why I love this industry so deeply and am also so fearful for its future. Restaurants are often one of the first to respond in a disaster, you don’t get into the hospitality industry as a career unless you love the feeling of feeding people. And making meals for the community gives you a sense of purpose, something to do to take your mind off of the future uncertain and tough decisions to come. But after the fires are extinguished after the breadth of the disaster has been realized, when it’s time to begin the rebuild, who will be there to support these businesses and ensure that their fate doesn’t become permanent closure? The biggest lesson I have learned after Helene is that our country our government does not have a support system set up for these small independent restaurant businesses. When the insurance companies come back with the inevitable denials, there is no economic support for these businesses, and this I find to be completely outrageous. The economic ripple effect of losing one restaurant is enormous. Because they are low profit margin businesses, every dollar that typically comes in their front door, goes right back out into their communities, to pay their local workers, farmers, and suppliers. When there is no money coming in the door, the downstream losses that the hospitality workforce and local farmers and suppliers of these restaurants feel is catastrophic and it becomes a giant snowball of economic struggles and business closures. We as a country NEED to solve this failure. The fate of our communities depends upon it.
Watching the news and articles roll in about the devastation in California hits a little differently for me now. I can feel the fear, uncertainty, and grief that they are going through and my heart aches. I read this @latimes article and then the @eater one about how restaurants are stepping up to help out their communities and yes it is inspiring, and it’s why I love this industry so deeply and am also so fearful for its future. Restaurants are often one of the first to respond in a disaster, you don’t get into the hospitality industry as a career unless you love the feeling of feeding people. And making meals for the community gives you a sense of purpose, something to do to take your mind off of the future uncertain and tough decisions to come. But after the fires are extinguished after the breadth of the disaster has been realized, when it’s time to begin the rebuild, who will be there to support these businesses and ensure that their fate doesn’t become permanent closure? The biggest lesson I have learned after Helene is that our country our government does not have a support system set up for these small independent restaurant businesses. When the insurance companies come back with the inevitable denials, there is no economic support for these businesses, and this I find to be completely outrageous. The economic ripple effect of losing one restaurant is enormous. Because they are low profit margin businesses, every dollar that typically comes in their front door, goes right back out into their communities, to pay their local workers, farmers, and suppliers. When there is no money coming in the door, the downstream losses that the hospitality workforce and local farmers and suppliers of these restaurants feel is catastrophic and it becomes a giant snowball of economic struggles and business closures. We as a country NEED to solve this failure. The fate of our communities depends upon it.
To Our Friends, Family and Community Members:
Thanksgiving is one of our absolute favorite holidays because it signifies togetherness, community, and gratitude. This year, more than ever, giving thanks feels extra heavy and beautiful. There is so much to be thankful for.
As you all know, Asheville and Western North Carolina are still recovering from the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and it is so hard to wrap our heads around the devastation. It still feels surreal. Lives were lost, families and friends displaced, neighborhoods destroyed, and we as a community are still grieving it all.
Despite this darkness, however, over the past two months we have witnessed beauty, resilience, community, love and care in a way that we have never experienced before. While our hearts still ache for what has happened here, we are grateful for these glittering moments that have filled our hearts with joy and hope.
We are so thankful for Asheville and Western North Carolina, our home: a place of endless natural beauty and rolling mountains and rivers - a vibrant hub of creative makers and artisans. We are grieving the change, loss and devastation that we are facing and still have yet to fully realize, but are so grateful that our collective identities here are firmly rooted in a shared appreciation for nature, and pursuit of a life full of love and passion. There is no doubt that Asheville and WNC will persevere.
It is truly impossible to put together an inclusive list of all the individuals and organizations that we are thankful for, today, simply because of the sheer volume of people that have taken action following the storm. Therefore, we want to send a gigantic thank you to our entire community - thank you for stepping up to help your neighbors and for being a part of this wonderful place we get to call home.
We can and will rebuild together.
With Gratitude,
Katie, Felix and the Cúrate Team
To Our Friends, Family and Community Members:
Thanksgiving is one of our absolute favorite holidays because it signifies togetherness, community, and gratitude. This year, more than ever, giving thanks feels extra heavy and beautiful. There is so much to be thankful for.
As you all know, Asheville and Western North Carolina are still recovering from the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and it is so hard to wrap our heads around the devastation. It still feels surreal. Lives were lost, families and friends displaced, neighborhoods destroyed, and we as a community are still grieving it all.
Despite this darkness, however, over the past two months we have witnessed beauty, resilience, community, love and care in a way that we have never experienced before. While our hearts still ache for what has happened here, we are grateful for these glittering moments that have filled our hearts with joy and hope.
We are so thankful for Asheville and Western North Carolina, our home: a place of endless natural beauty and rolling mountains and rivers - a vibrant hub of creative makers and artisans. We are grieving the change, loss and devastation that we are facing and still have yet to fully realize, but are so grateful that our collective identities here are firmly rooted in a shared appreciation for nature, and pursuit of a life full of love and passion. There is no doubt that Asheville and WNC will persevere.
It is truly impossible to put together an inclusive list of all the individuals and organizations that we are thankful for, today, simply because of the sheer volume of people that have taken action following the storm. Therefore, we want to send a gigantic thank you to our entire community - thank you for stepping up to help your neighbors and for being a part of this wonderful place we get to call home.
We can and will rebuild together.
With Gratitude,
Katie, Felix and the Cúrate Team
Almost exactly a year ago, I was at the White House cooking the State Dinner for @flotus and on Friday she came to Asheville to better understand the situation and how the people of Western North Carolina are coming together in support of one another. It was so wonderful and surreal to see her in our community…our community is hurting and in need and the road to recovery will take longer than I can even wrap my head around.
@flotus thank you for the visit, please take what you learned to advocate for continued support of Western North Carolina, the people here, our small businesses and incredible makers need you!
Almost exactly a year ago, I was at the White House cooking the State Dinner for @flotus and on Friday she came to Asheville to better understand the situation and how the people of Western North Carolina are coming together in support of one another. It was so wonderful and surreal to see her in our community…our community is hurting and in need and the road to recovery will take longer than I can even wrap my head around.
@flotus thank you for the visit, please take what you learned to advocate for continued support of Western North Carolina, the people here, our small businesses and incredible makers need you!
The catastrophe and devastation in our area is beyond words. And even that is an understatement. I took a moment, yesterday - between strongly worded discussions with my insurance company - to reflect on where we are and my concern for how this situation will impact our food and beverage community, which makes up roughly 12.2% of Asheville’s workforce.
If you have the means to donate, I have included links in my bio for the @NCRLA NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund , @southernsmokefoundation donation page, and the @wckitchen Hurricane Helene donation link.
We have been told it will be weeks until water is restored, which will continue to affect all aspects of everyone’s lives. And a consequence of this is that there is no way for restaurants to operate without access to water, both potable and nonpotable. Restaurants and the hospitality workforce are uniquely impacted by this situation, in additional to already suffering these same difficulties at home.
We are grateful that World Central Kitchen stepped in so quickly to help Cúrate and La Bodega by Cúrate operate in some capacity. WCK began shipping water and supplies to us to be used for meal distribution through their organization. These meals have been passed out to members of our community, air dropped into locations that are completely isolated, and delivered despite terrain barriers to those without the means to seek food and water.
It feels good and is a relief to at least be productive and have the means to do something for my community. Thanks for listening and keeping our community in our thoughts, and PLEASE donate if you are able.
The catastrophe and devastation in our area is beyond words. And even that is an understatement. I took a moment, yesterday - between strongly worded discussions with my insurance company - to reflect on where we are and my concern for how this situation will impact our food and beverage community, which makes up roughly 12.2% of Asheville’s workforce.
If you have the means to donate, I have included links in my bio for the @NCRLA NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund , @southernsmokefoundation donation page, and the @wckitchen Hurricane Helene donation link.
We have been told it will be weeks until water is restored, which will continue to affect all aspects of everyone’s lives. And a consequence of this is that there is no way for restaurants to operate without access to water, both potable and nonpotable. Restaurants and the hospitality workforce are uniquely impacted by this situation, in additional to already suffering these same difficulties at home.
We are grateful that World Central Kitchen stepped in so quickly to help Cúrate and La Bodega by Cúrate operate in some capacity. WCK began shipping water and supplies to us to be used for meal distribution through their organization. These meals have been passed out to members of our community, air dropped into locations that are completely isolated, and delivered despite terrain barriers to those without the means to seek food and water.
It feels good and is a relief to at least be productive and have the means to do something for my community. Thanks for listening and keeping our community in our thoughts, and PLEASE donate if you are able.
I was super honored when the @meetingyoupodcast contacted me to talk about my journey as a female chef and entrepreneur. If you haven’t given this great podcast from Host @richardjuke and Producer @abbeyjuke a listen – especially if you’re currently dreaming up a business plan and looking to hear from other women about how they made their own business dreams a reality – queue it up!
“Meeting You Where You’re At” spotlights the inspiring stories of female business owners and change-makers in order to empower other female entrepreneurs, founders and future thought leaders to GO FOR IT. I really respect and resonate with their central goal of helping women learn from other women about how to make a positive social impact and become a pillar in their community through their business ventures.
Give it a listen via the link in my bio if you want to know more about my story and what my continued goals are as the Cúrate brands grow.
I was super honored when the @meetingyoupodcast contacted me to talk about my journey as a female chef and entrepreneur. If you haven’t given this great podcast from Host @richardjuke and Producer @abbeyjuke a listen – especially if you’re currently dreaming up a business plan and looking to hear from other women about how they made their own business dreams a reality – queue it up!
“Meeting You Where You’re At” spotlights the inspiring stories of female business owners and change-makers in order to empower other female entrepreneurs, founders and future thought leaders to GO FOR IT. I really respect and resonate with their central goal of helping women learn from other women about how to make a positive social impact and become a pillar in their community through their business ventures.
Give it a listen via the link in my bio if you want to know more about my story and what my continued goals are as the Cúrate brands grow.
One of my most favorite days of the year is the day of the @welcomeconference It’s a day to connect with old industry friends and make new ones, but most importantly it’s a day to sit and listen to incredible speakers from all kinds of different backgrounds talk about what hospitality means to them. Hospitality in the end is about relationships and people, working to see, hear and feel what the person in front of you needs. I can’t think of anything more fulfilling in life than spending a life working on getting better at making others feel seen and understood. This year was extra special because my personal parenting north star @drbeckyatgoodinside spoke, along with the mindblowingly talented @officialjadesimmons , and my dear friend and incredible restauranteur @stevepalmer12 ...there were so many others, each speaker bringing their personal story and connection to the idea of hospitality. I’m already counting down the days to next year.
One of my most favorite days of the year is the day of the @welcomeconference It’s a day to connect with old industry friends and make new ones, but most importantly it’s a day to sit and listen to incredible speakers from all kinds of different backgrounds talk about what hospitality means to them. Hospitality in the end is about relationships and people, working to see, hear and feel what the person in front of you needs. I can’t think of anything more fulfilling in life than spending a life working on getting better at making others feel seen and understood. This year was extra special because my personal parenting north star @drbeckyatgoodinside spoke, along with the mindblowingly talented @officialjadesimmons , and my dear friend and incredible restauranteur @stevepalmer12 ...there were so many others, each speaker bringing their personal story and connection to the idea of hospitality. I’m already counting down the days to next year.
I finally made it back to La Rue du Croissant aka Paris!!! It had been almost 20 years since the last time I was there, a student studying for a masters degree in biomedical engineering while stuffing myself with pastries and attempting to teach myself how to cook complicated professional French recipes in a tiny apartment in the 7th arrondissement. Walking the streets of the Rue Mouffetard market and lounging at the Luxembourg gardens reminded me of what a difficult time in my life that was. Pushing ahead studying something I didn’t enjoy, cooking to keep myself sane, but mostly living alone in a foreign country. It also was one of the most important turning points in my life and without that experience I do not think I would have had the courage to make the career change I ultimately did. Now, years later, it is so nice to return as a tourist. To soak up the pastries, listen to French music with the windows open in the hotel room, and visit the most incredible kitchen tool shop in the world E.Dehillerin. I will not let another 20 years go by before returning again. Paris, I am forever grateful. ❤️
I finally made it back to La Rue du Croissant aka Paris!!! It had been almost 20 years since the last time I was there, a student studying for a masters degree in biomedical engineering while stuffing myself with pastries and attempting to teach myself how to cook complicated professional French recipes in a tiny apartment in the 7th arrondissement. Walking the streets of the Rue Mouffetard market and lounging at the Luxembourg gardens reminded me of what a difficult time in my life that was. Pushing ahead studying something I didn’t enjoy, cooking to keep myself sane, but mostly living alone in a foreign country. It also was one of the most important turning points in my life and without that experience I do not think I would have had the courage to make the career change I ultimately did. Now, years later, it is so nice to return as a tourist. To soak up the pastries, listen to French music with the windows open in the hotel room, and visit the most incredible kitchen tool shop in the world E.Dehillerin. I will not let another 20 years go by before returning again. Paris, I am forever grateful. ❤️
