a farm-to-table experience that will HELP TO fuel our growth
Chef Throwdown Benefiting Jones Gardens- September 7, 2026 @ 5:30pm (Location TBD)
Jones Gardens invites Virginia chefs to apply for a friendly Farm-to-Table Chef Throwdown, featured as part of a lively, ticketed fundraising dinner celebrating local food, farms, and community.
Each selected chef will be paired with a Virginia farm and challenged to create a dish that highlights the farm’s ingredients and a thoughtful farm-to-table approach. Guests will enjoy the event as both entertainment and dining, tasting inspired dishes while cheering on chef–farm teams.
All proceeds benefit Jones Gardens, and help fuel our operations, particularly a new and exciting venture that will break soon break ground, which will bring more programming and education to the community.
What Chefs Receive
- Stipend for participation
- Volunteer assistance during prep and service (if needed)
- Exposure to a broad, food-loving community audience through our social media and website, as well as potential to be featured in local news broadcastings
- Collaboration with a Virginia farm
- A fun, high-energy competition for a meaningful cause
Chef Requirements (Seeking 2-3 chefs)
- Must apply via the Jones Gardens website
- Must Prepare at least one dish that contributes to the full course meal (either an appetizer, entree or desert)
- Submit a short video clip showing yourself preparing a dish and explaining your process
- Be genuinely passionate about Jones Gardens’ mission and local food systems
Contact with questions or inquiries: Sarah Jones (540) 480-0573 or [email protected]
Why We’re Doing This
At Jones Gardens, we believe food is more than nourishment—it’s connection, dignity, and community.
We grow fresh, organic produce 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 aren’t just cooking a dish—they’re 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 chefs who want to be part of that impact.
We grow fresh, organic produce 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 aren’t just cooking a dish—they’re 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 chefs who want to be part of that impact.