Deep Roots, and a New Chapter

Cabin Ridge began as a return to land that had long been in founder Andy Owensby's family.

She built the barn with salvaged wood and the help of friends and neighbors. Little by little the gardens grew, and Andy continued developing the property into the first and only off-grid venue in the area, adding fresh water cisterns, solar power, and the pavilion.

For nearly a decade, Cabin Ridge hosted celebrations of all kinds. Then, in 2022, Andy stepped away. She let the land rest, unsure what would come next.

But one thing had always been clear:

“I always said, if I was ever going to do this again, I’d only want to do it with Tony.”

Tony Franco, founder of Food Experience Catering, had catered many of the venue’s events and become a close collaborator and friend.

In 2025, he and the team at Food Experience reopened Cabin Ridge. They now oversee venue operations, including an in-house food and beverage program rooted in their two decades of experience catering events throughout Western North Carolina.

Nurturing both land and people had always been Tony’s dream. “I grew up in an Italian household, so I grew up with this amazing food, and it was always the focus of my life,” he says. “And I love gardening!”

“Over time, I found out I could actually do what I really love with my life. What a gift to get to do this with Andy!”

Andy remains involved as a consultant, land steward, and ever-enthusiastic gardener, continuing to nurture the space she built from the ground up.

Cabin Ridge today is much like it was at the beginning—intentional, grounded, and shaped by the people who gather here. It’s not about trends or a glossy finish. It’s a place that invites celebration without pretense, built on the same values that brought it to life in the first place.