Eric Scheffer and Dining Out For Life
Every spring the Asheville community comes together to support the local nonprofit, Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP), during their annual fundraising event, Dining Out For Life.
During the event, which supports local restaurants and public health in Western North Carolina, residents are encouraged to visit participating restaurants who then donate 20% of sales back to WNCAP. Support from the day allows the nonprofit to provide case management, care, and prevention services to local neighbors impacted by HIV.
Now in its 22nd year, Dining Out For Life has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for those affected by HIV/AIDS in our community and beyond. Harry Brown, longtime supporter of WNCAP and the volunteer responsible for bringing Dining Out For Life to Asheville in 2002, attributes this success to thousands of people but also notes the instrumental role that Eric Scheffer played in getting the event off the ground and running, and how impactful his support would be for years to come.
Scheffer, along with Michel Baudouin of Bouchon, had recently created the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) when approached by Harry Brown as he was trying to implement Dining Out For Life in this area. Brown, who had just moved to Asheville and was impressed by the great dining options like Savoy, Scheffer’s first restaurant, could see the potential for a successful event here in Western North Carolina. Thanks to Eric Scheffer’s encouragement and influence, this became the case, and the fundraiser was able to come to fruition.
Harry Brown, left, and Eric Scheffer.
Scheffer became involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, along with the gay rights movement, while living in Los Angeles with his cousin, Brice, in the 80s. While HIV affects Americans from all walks of life, according to the Human Rights Campaign, the epidemic continues to disproportionately impact certain members of the gay community. Brice, a gay man, and Scheffer were activists together who fought for gay rights in West Hollywood and Los Angeles. They attended fundraisers and marched for equality at Santa Monica Boulevard. Scheffer describes Brice as the closest person to him, someone who was more like a brother than a cousin. Sadly, Brice contracted HIV which developed into AIDS, and passed away in the late 80s. Scheffer has continued to champion the cause in his name ever since.
The first year that Dining Out For Life came to Asheville, there were 40-50 restaurants signed up thanks to the passionate support of Scheffer who had reached out to friends and fellow restaurant owners from AIR to encourage their participation. Brown describes Scheffer as the “lead guy” who most certainly helped get the event started. Later, Scheffer continued his support of WNCAP by hosting several galas for the nonprofit and auctioning himself off as a chef to provide classic Argentinian Asado in people’s homes with much success.
Today, Eric Scheffer still supports WNCAP and Dining Out For Life through his four restaurants in The Scheffer Group, including Jettie Rae’s Oyster House, Gan Shan West, and both Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian locations. AIR is also actively involved and has over 30 restaurants participating in the 2024 event, which will be held on Thursday, April 25th.
You can learn more about Dining Out For Life and WNCAP by visiting their website at WNCAP.ORG.
