Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen wins James Beard award

Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen wins James Beard award, The State, May 5, 2014. Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen took home an Oscar of the culinary world Monday night by winning best chef in the Southeast from the James Beard Foundation. Christensen, 37, grew up in Kernersville and attended NC State, where dinner parties for friends turned into a catering business.