a farm-to-table experience that will HELP TO fuel our growth
If you still would like to be a part of this event, consider sponsoring or volunteering.
Farm-to-Table Chef Throwdown | A Celebration of Food, Farmers, and Community
Monday, September 21, 2026
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Staunton High School | 1301 North Coalter St, Staunton, Virginia
Monday, September 21, 2026
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Staunton High School | 1301 North Coalter St, Staunton, Virginia
Contact with questions or inquiries: Sarah Jones (540) 480-0573 or [email protected]
An Evening with Purpose
Join Jones Gardens for our Inaugural Farm-to-Table Chef Throwdown, a one-of-a-kind culinary experience that brings together local chefs, regional farmers, and our community for an unforgettable evening—all in support of a more equitable and sustainable food system.
This event is more than a dinner. It’s a celebration of the people who grow our food, the chefs who transform it, and the community that makes it all meaningful. It's also an event that will help to launch ZÜKA Café & Grocery by Jones Gardens, our latest initiative. Scroll down to learn more!
Join Jones Gardens for our Inaugural Farm-to-Table Chef Throwdown, a one-of-a-kind culinary experience that brings together local chefs, regional farmers, and our community for an unforgettable evening—all in support of a more equitable and sustainable food system.
This event is more than a dinner. It’s a celebration of the people who grow our food, the chefs who transform it, and the community that makes it all meaningful. It's also an event that will help to launch ZÜKA Café & Grocery by Jones Gardens, our latest initiative. Scroll down to learn more!
it's time to throwdown!
appetizer round:
Aaron Bellizzi
The Clifton, Charlottesville |
|
ENTRÉE round:
Ryan Becklund
Botanical, Charlottesville & Crozet |
Franz Pelny
Sama Sama International Cuisine, Staunton |
Aaron Gardener
Gardener's Harvest, Swoope |
dessert round:
Giancarlo Gnali
Giancarlo's Fine European Pastries, Staunton |
Alba Wright
Magdalena's Bakery, Staunton |
Shara McGee
Sweet McGee, Harrisonburg, VA |
If you still would like to be a part of this event, consider sponsoring or volunteering.
What to Expect: A Multi-Course Culinary Experience
Talented chefs will go head-to-head in a friendly competition, creating three courses: appetizer, entrée, and dessert using locally sourced ingredients donated by regional farms.
Live Chef Throwdown
Watch the action unfold as chefs collaborate, compete, and showcase their creativity in real time.
Guest Judges Panel
A panel of judges will taste, evaluate, and offer commentary on each dish.
Sarah Morton (Owner of the highly-acclaimed Cattle Run Farm), Tassie Pippert (Emmy Award-winning creator, host, and producer of Un-Wine'd on PBS), & Ian Boden (Also an event sponsor through his highly-acclaimed restaurant, Maude & the Bear)
Awards & Audience Participation
Special Guest Speaker: Sarah Morton
Sarah Morton is a third-generation farmer in Central Virginia who, alongside her siblings, stewards land and feeds communities, blending tradition with innovation. Rooted in agriculture, she has dedicated her career to advancing food equity, workforce development, and community resilience.
Her agricultural leadership includes guiding the Minority and Veteran Farmers of the Piedmont (MVFP), advancing initiatives such as Harvest to Heal that connect 4‑H youth and veteran farmers with local food pantries, and collaborating with Virginia State University’s Small Farms Outreach Program to establish experiential learning labs for new and beginning farmers. She also founded a local agricultural coalition to support 4‑H livestock projects, ensuring youth-led efforts provide food to local pantries while fostering entrepreneurship. Additionally, she designed and developed “Growing 4‑H Science” in urban communities, utilizing agriculture as a platform to teach STEM skills and expand career pathways for youth. Sarah also helped launch a local food hub in partnership with Lulu Food Hub, strengthening regional distribution networks and expanding market access for small producers.
Building on her agricultural roots, Sarah serves as Regional Workforce Executive Director with Virginia Career Works – Piedmont, where she partners with schools, employers, and cross-sector organizations to build inclusive talent pipelines and convene communities of practice.
She has been recognized nationally and regionally for her impact, including being named an American Farmland Trust “Women in the Land” Award Recipient, receiving the Woman of Excellence Award from Virginia Career Works Piedmont Region (2024), and serving as a panelist at the Women in Agribusiness Summit in Denver. She also serves on the University of Virginia’s President’s Council, contributing her expertise to advance equity, innovation, and community resilience at the institutional level.
With deep agricultural roots and a vision for resilient communities and thriving food systems, Sarah brings clarity, warmth, and strategic intent to every conversation, empowering others to effect change.
Meet the Farmers
Learn more about the farms behind your meal and the importance of supporting local agriculture.
Live Auction
Bid on unique items and experiences, with all proceeds going directly toward Jones Gardens’ community initiatives.
You May Have Already Heard The News...
At the end of 2025, Laurie Berman (Staunton resident and founder of The Village- Allegheny Mountain Institute) approached us with a bombshell of an offer. She wanted to donate the old Newtown Baking building to our organization, fully equipped with no strings attached. Her hope was that we'd use it to further our mission of increasing access to wholesome food. We are overwhelmed in the best kind of way to receive it, but most importantly, honored for the opportunity to be good stewards of this incredible gift. Through this fundraising dinner, we seek to raise funds to transform this beloved piece of Staunton into a community food hub.
Why This Event Matters
Across the country, communities are facing a growing disconnect from fresh, healthy food while small farms struggle to stay viable. Jones Gardens wants to help bridge that gap. Proceeds from this event will directly support the development of ZÜKA Café & Grocery, a mission-driven community food hub in Staunton that will:
Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for a wide and welcoming audience, including:
Talented chefs will go head-to-head in a friendly competition, creating three courses: appetizer, entrée, and dessert using locally sourced ingredients donated by regional farms.
Live Chef Throwdown
Watch the action unfold as chefs collaborate, compete, and showcase their creativity in real time.
Guest Judges Panel
A panel of judges will taste, evaluate, and offer commentary on each dish.
Sarah Morton (Owner of the highly-acclaimed Cattle Run Farm), Tassie Pippert (Emmy Award-winning creator, host, and producer of Un-Wine'd on PBS), & Ian Boden (Also an event sponsor through his highly-acclaimed restaurant, Maude & the Bear)
Awards & Audience Participation
- Judge’s Choice Award
- People’s Choice Award (you get to vote for your favorite dish!)
Special Guest Speaker: Sarah Morton
Sarah Morton is a third-generation farmer in Central Virginia who, alongside her siblings, stewards land and feeds communities, blending tradition with innovation. Rooted in agriculture, she has dedicated her career to advancing food equity, workforce development, and community resilience.
Her agricultural leadership includes guiding the Minority and Veteran Farmers of the Piedmont (MVFP), advancing initiatives such as Harvest to Heal that connect 4‑H youth and veteran farmers with local food pantries, and collaborating with Virginia State University’s Small Farms Outreach Program to establish experiential learning labs for new and beginning farmers. She also founded a local agricultural coalition to support 4‑H livestock projects, ensuring youth-led efforts provide food to local pantries while fostering entrepreneurship. Additionally, she designed and developed “Growing 4‑H Science” in urban communities, utilizing agriculture as a platform to teach STEM skills and expand career pathways for youth. Sarah also helped launch a local food hub in partnership with Lulu Food Hub, strengthening regional distribution networks and expanding market access for small producers.
Building on her agricultural roots, Sarah serves as Regional Workforce Executive Director with Virginia Career Works – Piedmont, where she partners with schools, employers, and cross-sector organizations to build inclusive talent pipelines and convene communities of practice.
She has been recognized nationally and regionally for her impact, including being named an American Farmland Trust “Women in the Land” Award Recipient, receiving the Woman of Excellence Award from Virginia Career Works Piedmont Region (2024), and serving as a panelist at the Women in Agribusiness Summit in Denver. She also serves on the University of Virginia’s President’s Council, contributing her expertise to advance equity, innovation, and community resilience at the institutional level.
With deep agricultural roots and a vision for resilient communities and thriving food systems, Sarah brings clarity, warmth, and strategic intent to every conversation, empowering others to effect change.
Meet the Farmers
Learn more about the farms behind your meal and the importance of supporting local agriculture.
Live Auction
Bid on unique items and experiences, with all proceeds going directly toward Jones Gardens’ community initiatives.
You May Have Already Heard The News...
At the end of 2025, Laurie Berman (Staunton resident and founder of The Village- Allegheny Mountain Institute) approached us with a bombshell of an offer. She wanted to donate the old Newtown Baking building to our organization, fully equipped with no strings attached. Her hope was that we'd use it to further our mission of increasing access to wholesome food. We are overwhelmed in the best kind of way to receive it, but most importantly, honored for the opportunity to be good stewards of this incredible gift. Through this fundraising dinner, we seek to raise funds to transform this beloved piece of Staunton into a community food hub.
Why This Event Matters
Across the country, communities are facing a growing disconnect from fresh, healthy food while small farms struggle to stay viable. Jones Gardens wants to help bridge that gap. Proceeds from this event will directly support the development of ZÜKA Café & Grocery, a mission-driven community food hub in Staunton that will:
- Provide access to fresh, locally sourced foods
- Support regional farmers
- Offer hands-on food education and cooking programs
- Launch a culinary apprenticeship program for aspiring food leaders
Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for a wide and welcoming audience, including:
- Food lovers and culinary enthusiasts
- Supporters of local farms and small businesses
- Advocates for food access and sustainability
- Community members who want to make a meaningful impact
Why We’re Doing This
At Jones Gardens, we believe food is more than nourishment. It’s connection, dignity, and community.
We grow fresh produce free of chemicals within the neighborhoods we serve, making healthy food accessible while teaching sustainability, stewardship, and self-reliance. This Chef Throwdown brings together farmers, chefs, and neighbors to celebrate what’s possible when local food systems thrive.
By participating, chefs are helping tell a story about where food comes from, who it serves, and how powerful community-rooted agriculture can be. This event is about joy, creativity, and shared purpose, and we’re looking for people who want to be part of that impact!
We grow fresh produce free of chemicals within the neighborhoods we serve, making healthy food accessible while teaching sustainability, stewardship, and self-reliance. This Chef Throwdown brings together farmers, chefs, and neighbors to celebrate what’s possible when local food systems thrive.
By participating, chefs are helping tell a story about where food comes from, who it serves, and how powerful community-rooted agriculture can be. This event is about joy, creativity, and shared purpose, and we’re looking for people who want to be part of that impact!
Contact with questions or inquiries: Sarah Jones (540) 480-0573 or [email protected]
Be Part of Something Bigger
The Farm-to-Table Chef Throwdown is more than an event—it’s the beginning of something meaningful. Together, we can celebrate food, uplift farmers, and create lasting change in our community.
We hope you’ll join us!
The Farm-to-Table Chef Throwdown is more than an event—it’s the beginning of something meaningful. Together, we can celebrate food, uplift farmers, and create lasting change in our community.
We hope you’ll join us!
🌱 Support the Mission
Can’t attend? You can still make a difference.
Can’t attend? You can still make a difference.
