Interview with Chef Jose Rosario

Owner, TrailBlazers Bar & Grill

interviewed by Dennis Ray

Rapid River Magazine: Tell us a little about TrailBlazers.

Chef Jose Rosario: We are a family restaurant located in Pisgah Forest. The food we serve is prepared by skilled Chefs in house so you will taste the difference in freshness. Quality food is very important to us and so is affordability. We want people to enjoy healthy and delicious options that all can afford to enjoy together.

One of the greatest compliments to a wonderful meal is simply the people you enjoy and share the experience with. We have an amazing staff who not only care about the guests experience, but truly love what they do and the people they work with. We are all great friends and family here.

RRM: Why did you change the name to TrailBlazers Bar & Grill?

JR: We fell in love with the area we live in and the culture of the people that reside in Pisgah Forest. The locals were so supportive of us as new business owners. They became the focal point of our vision for the restaurant. We had a contest to rename the restaurant and so many entries came, all of which highlighted aspects of the Pisgah Forest and the type of things people do out here for recreation. TrailBlazers seemed to speak to everyone and ended up being the perfect choice.

RRM: Tell us about your new interior decor.

JR: The decor of the restaurant features a cave/mountain theme. We are bringing the ouside… inside. It’s alot of fun and is becoming more popular. The warm tones on the walls give a comforting, cozy feel against the cave’s cold rockwork and stalagtites which surround you. We also love lighting candles at the tables and bar at night, it adds a sort of camping inside effect.

RRM: What made you decide to be an activist for Cystic Fibrosis?

JR: There wasn’t a question in my mind as to whether we would support it or not. I was never personally confronted with this illness, but my family has seen many others, and it took the support of great people to get through it. This event is a great opportunity to for us to give back in the same way.

Being that we live in an amazing community, many businesses jumped at the chance to donate for this event. At the event we’ll have giftcards and prizes from local stores such as Brighter Day Coffee, Belk, Looking Glass Outfitters, The Hub, Elements Spa, Healthy Harvest, and Sycamore Cycles just to name a few. It’s going to be so much fun!

If You Go: Help to Blaze a Trail for the Cure of Cystic Fibrosis, Thursday, October 25, 5-9 p.m. at TrailBlazers Bar & Grill. Join us for fun and food! Live music by Moon Shine Babies. Win great raffle prizes. Silent auction benefitting Cystic Fibrosis. Food and drink specials. Beer specials. Introducing the brand new local brewery “Oskar Blues.”

Please help us find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Contact us for donations or to volunteer. Call Ray Byram, Cystic Fibrosis Activist (828) 877-6509, or Barbara Kreager, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Member (828) 553-1327.

TrailBlazers Bar & Grill
Formally the Gate Keeper’s Table
BiLo/WalMart Plaza, 83 Forest Gate Drive, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Phone: (828) 877-2200
Open Everyday! Serving Breakfast 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Lunch & Dinner menu 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.