FOOD + WINE Event Returns to Middleburg

Five years ago, only a few people really understood what was missing in the culinary festival landscape. Fortunately, among those few were Chef and Restaurateur Kwame Onwuachi, Salamander Collection Founder & CEO Sheila Johnson and FOOD & WINE Editor-in-Chief Hunter Lewis. 

“We should be doing everything in our power to celebrate diversity in our industry,” said Onwuachi at the time. “For too long we have gone unnoticed and under-appreciated. This is our time.”

The three joined together and The Family Reunion was born with the goal of celebrating diversity within the hospitality community. That “time” to which Onwuachi referred had come. And it stayed.

Fast forward five years of crossing culinary boundaries and The Family Reunion returns to the heart of Virginia’s wine country for a fifth time from August 14-17, with a program highlighted by some of the industry’s top talent. Overnight packages and multi-event passes are now available at www.salamanderhotels.com/familyreunion or by calling 844-505-9235. 

The celebration is held at Johnson’s Salamander Middleburg resort, which enjoys separate Forbes Five-Star ratings for accommodations, spa and dining. Think five is a theme for 2025? You’d be right – the resort is also one of only five properties in the country with this rarefied designation.

Since it was launched, The Family Reunion has become one of the nation’s premier and most-popular culinary events – quickly selling out with more than 1,000 people attending each day. It combines thought-provoking panel discussions, topical cooking demonstrations, inspiring recreational activities, daily “family” meals and vibrant evening parties.

Although a full schedule will be announced in the coming months, this year’s event will feature a FOOD & WINE-curated panel on renowned chef, author and teacher Edna Lewis, and the legacy of black women chefs.

Additionally, there will be three nightly Legacy Dinners hosted at Harrimans Grill, the resort’s Five-Star-rated restaurant, by chefs who have participated at each previous Family Reunion.

• Thursday’s dinner will feature Mashama Bailey and Erick Williams;

• Friday’s dinner will showcase Gregory Gourdet and Nyesha Arrington;

• Saturday’s will be presented by Tiffany Derry and Tavel Bristol-Joseph.

There will also be a Golf Excursion at nearby Creighton Farms hosted by Kwame Onwuachi. Both the Legacy Dinner and Golf Excursion opportunities can be purchased by those holding an All Access or Evening Only pass.

“Since our inception, we have always offered an incredible roster of talent to celebrate Black and Brown excellence, and 2025 will be our best yet,” said Onwuachi. “Every year I tell attendees that they have a seat at the best restaurant in America for the weekend. This year will be no exception, and we will have a blast doing it.” 

The mission of The Family Reunion is to nurture, develop and celebrate racial and ethnic diversity within the next generation of hospitality professionals and for 2025, the event’s charitable partner remains the Culinary Institute of America. Experiences take place throughout Salamander’s 340 acres, including its Culinary Garden and Library. There is also a sweeping outdoor Grand Stage venue hosting a rotating lineup of meals and events. 

“Five years of planning, executing and celebrating – it’s quite an achievement,” said Johnson, who is the only Black woman to wholly own a Forbes Five-Star resort and renowned for co-founding Black Entertainment Television. “This event is so important, and so much fun at the same time. Every year, we have striven to be larger, bolder and brighter, and there’s no doubt we have succeeded. We look forward to yet another inspiring weekend in the Virginia countryside.”

The confirmed talent roster features: Virginia Ali, Nyesha Arrington, Mashama Bailey, Shorne Benjamin, Osei “Chef Picky” Blackett, Nicola Blaque, Kevin Bludso, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Maya-Camille Broussard, Damarr Brown, Adrienne Cheatham, Preston Clark, Erika Council, Tiffany Derry, Andre Fowles, Bryan Furman, Charles Gabriel, Gregory Gourdet, Carla Hall, Dr. Jessica B. Harris, Brian Jupiter, Vallery Lomas, Matthew Lyons, Serigne Mbaye, Mawa McQueen, Lamar Moore, Nina Oduro, Kwame Onwuachi, Ken Pettus, Rasheed Philips, Jamila Robinson, JR Robinson, Pierre Serrao, Rodney Scott, Alexander Smalls, David Thomas, Tonya Thomas, Georgiana Viou, Erick Williams, Douglass Williams, and Melba Wilson.