ASHEVILLE, N.C. —  “This is my domain,” Tyler Holt said as he walked into the Asheville Tourists concessions area.

Holt, the team's chief operating officer of concessions, sees this corner of McCormick Field as a studio because he feels he’s guiding a team of artists. 

“You really gotta be an artist,” Holt said. “Each item is different.”

As deep-fried Moon Pies come fresh out of the fryer left and right, whipped cream, caramel sauce and chocolate await their turn on this double-decker. 

“It's like a s’more, graham cracker, marshmallow, chocolate dessert. And deep-frying is one of the most extreme ways to eat it,” Holt said.

Holt helps make this magic happen — showing one of this minor league franchise’s most unique desserts. 

“You want something that’s gonna have the fans talking," Holt said.

The franchise also wanted a special dessert that would align with their theme, and Holt is confident this one is the right fit. 

“The stars, the mountain backdrop, Mr. Moon, and it being made right here in the Appalachian mountains, just right over the mountains right here in Chattanooga, it’s a local treat too,” Holt said. 

Holt didn’t know his passion for sports management would lead him to run the concessions business, but interning here after college, he fell in love with meeting fans and shaping their baseball experience in a way different than he expected.  

“That’s why we do this,” Holt said, smiling. “Seeing the reaction on the kids' faces when this thing comes out and how big it is!” 

He gets to see live action beyond the bases.

“We have a little over 100 staff members over here in the concession world,” Holt said. “It is a little bit of a madhouse!”

According to Holt, putting some extra time, thought and love into the food goes a long way. 

“Close to $6, we want to make sure they’re getting their money's worth,” Holt said.