ABOUT US
Posana® is a contemporary American restaurant in the heart of downtown Asheville on Historic Pack Square. Our company culture is founded upon our desire to nurture the well-being of our staff, customers, and community. Since our inception, the philosophy at Posana has been to offer a seasonal menu that draws inspiration from local ingredients.
Founders, Peter and Martha Pollay are avid travelers. When landing in a new city or town, they always seek out the restaurants loved most by locals. They have learned that locally-owned restaurants are the best way to experience good food and authentic connection between customers and staff. Quality cuisine and authentic connection are woven into the ethos of these local gems. It is no surprise that Posana has earned both the love of Asheville locals as well as national recognition. Our commitment to offering a thoughtful menu made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients, coupled with the care we’ve taken to establish meaningful connections with Appalachia’s growers and purveyors, has been the foundation of Posana’s standards since opening in 2009. We are fortunate to have strong relationships with local growers and producers that enable us to offer the freshest ingredients available in every season. Moreover, we continue our support of the Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project (ASAP) and the wider Western North Carolina growing and food-producing industry to emphasize the importance of operating in an ecologically-conscious manner.
Posana’s company culture is founded upon our desire to nurture the well-being of our staff, customers, and community. We are committed to supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace and are actively working against racism in all its forms.
Feed Your Well-Being®
MEET THE TEAM
A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Executive Chef Peter Pollay has over 20 years of experience working in kitchens for Wolfgang Puck at Granita and Spago Chicago, David Burke at Park Avenue Cafe, Waldy Malouf’s Hudson River Club, and Larry Levy. His philosophy of sourcing premium ingredients, working with the local farming community, and never taking shortcuts can be sampled at any of our restaurants. When he’s not in the kitchen, Peter enjoys gathering for a family meal, cheering his kids on at soccer games, and traveling with his family.
- Asheville Independent Air President (2010 – 2013)
- First Certified Green Restaurant® in North Carolina.
Martha is a Co-Founder of Mandara Hospitality Group and a certified leadership coach. Her desire to maximize wellbeing and resilience has guided how she runs her personal and professional endeavors.
From the launch of their first restaurant in 2009, Martha’s vision has been to elevate the employee culture, leadership style and guest experience within the hospitality industry. Mandara’s mantra, Feed Your Well-Being®, was inspired by this ambition.
“Not only do we want to feed the well-being of our guests and our community, but we also want to behave and treat each other in a manner that does so as well.”
Knowing there is a ripple effect to every interaction, Martha is passionate about coaching her team to embody the social and emotional intelligence skills necessary to maximize the quality of their connections with others.
Meet Posana’s General Manager, Peter Lawson! Peter started his impressive career at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario for Hotel Hospitality Management. After graduating, he went on to build an impressive resume with 17 years of hospitality experience with well-known and Michelin rated restaurants from cities such as Maui, Vancouver, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
Peter arrived in Asheville with an aspiration to lay down roots and take part in our thriving food and hospitality scene. He spends his days-off cooking, hanging out by the water and checking out local breweries. His love of travel has taken him to over 29 countries… so far!
Meet David Van Tassel, our new Chef de Cuisine at Posana! A true Asheville native, he was raised in Haw Creek and proudly graduated from AC Reynolds. David’s culinary journey took root while delivering produce to a chef in Columbia, SC, ultimately leading him to an American cuisine restaurant named Terra, where he delved into a world of culinary wonders. With AB Tech as his training ground, he honed his craft and garnered nearly two decades of invaluable experience.
Beyond the kitchen, he finds joy in kayak fishing alongside his girlfriend, spending cherished moments with their mischievous dogs Boone and Delilah, and relishing the melodies of vintage records.
Now, as Posana’s Chef de Cuisine, David artfully weaves seasonal excitement and serious execution into his culinary creations. His greatest reward is being a part of people’s celebrations, now matter how big or small.
With an extensive background in fine dining restaurants, hotel operations, and event planning, Maddy has been a hospitality professional since 2011. Her numerous positions have ranged from restaurant management to convention services and she cherishes the connections she makes with people from all over the world through her work.
Maddy has recently returned to Asheville to continue her career with Mandara Hospitality Group as the event sales manager. An explorer at heart, Maddy enjoys yoga, nature walks, and road trips to new places.
Meet Cara De Lavallade, Posana’s Assistant General Manager and Advanced Sommelier. Originally from Seattle, she has recently moved to Asheville from Sedona and holds over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She has lived and worked in some amazing places such as Argentina, Silversea Cruiselines in the Mediterranean, and Seattle.
Her many accolades include a Level 3 Wine & Spirits Education Trust Award, Advanced Sommelier from Court of Master Sommeliers, French Wine Scholar Award and Lustau Certified Sherry Specialist.
When not at Posana, you can find Cara hiking with her pups, Nebbiolo and Reggiano, or practicing a new interest in Archery!
“Wine is for everyone! I love speaking with curious guests who are excited to learn about the wine world.”
Originally from NJ, he grew up cooking with his Babcia at a young age and it inspired him to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. He went on to study at a culinary school for college in Pittsburgh and has been working in the industry ever since.
After spending 7 years working for Omni Hotels and Hilton Hotels, Chef Mike moved to Asheville because of having a reputation of being a foodie town. He now carries with him over 14 years of experience working in the industry.
He enjoys working at Posana due to the creative liberties of having to think outside the box with gluten-free and other dietary restrictions.
He has a dog named Walter, the cutest dog on the planet, and spends his time golfing and collecting cards.
“The easiest way to make someone’s day is with food” – Chef Mike
Get to know Mitchell, our new Lead Bartender here at Posana! With nearly a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, he gained valuable skills through hands-on learning, insightful reading and the mentorship of outstanding colleagues. His first role in the industry was at the age of 18 as a busboy, allowing him to work his way up through multiple facets of the industry.
From California to Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon and now North Carolina, he grew up in a nomadic lifestyle. His journey eventually led him here to Asheville to pursue his passion for aviation at WNCA’s flight school, where he currently holds a private pilot certificate.
Outside of work, you’ll find him hitting the gym, playing basketball, cooking or hanging out with loved ones. Mitch is all about striving to be better and giving top-notch service!
He was drawn to work with our team at Posana due to our mindful and socially responsible approach to food and beverage service. We hope you all get a chance to meet him!
APPALACHIAN GROWN INGREDIENTS
Before Posana even opened its doors, Executive Chef Peter Pollay built relationships with local farmers and the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. His mentor, Wolfgang Puck, enlivened a deep appreciation for farmers and the food they grow and instilled a commitment to bringing in fresh, local ingredients whenever possible. Peter and the entire Posana team are grateful to be a part of a community that fosters the development of local growers and makers through that is experienced through Posana’s commitment to serving you an ever-changing local, seasonal and sustainable menu. Sit back, and enjoy one of downtown Asheville’s best restaurants.
CERTIFIED GREEN DINING RESTAURANT
Posana Restaurant has been blazing the trail as a certified green restaurant since 2012, when we became the first 3-Star Green Dining Certified Restaurant in North Carolina. Our passion for sustainability and commitment to the environment is stronger than ever as we continue to implement eco-friendly practices to reduce our carbon footprint and preserve our planet.
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