About Taste of Blue Ridge

About The Community

The Root to Table movement was founded in 2017 by Nancy Craun under the umbrella community of Taste of Blue Ridge. Root to Table’s goal is to build a culinary & agricultural platform that embraces its community. This community aims to support all things local by creating a network of passionate people supporting real food and healthy lifestyles. Nancy started with a focus group of 12 local chefs, restaurant owners, and farmers to determine if this journey was worth taking. Fast forward almost seven years, and our community has grown to include over 30 chefs, 15 restaurants, and 24 farms which cover the northern Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and West Virginia.

“I wanted to give local chefs a larger voice and allow them to share their passions. This would allow them to support their communities and the locally grown food scene.” – Nancy Craun

We showcase the Best Culinary Experiences for locals and visitors alike. 

Our Mission Is To Serve The Blue Ridge Region of VA & WV

Chef Marcus Repp speaking with other chefs at a Root to Table dinnerMost importantly, Root to Table’s mission is twofold. We are building a culinary professional association of cuisine experts and food enthusiasts who are looking to brand this region as a culinary destination. We also use these professionals to try and find solutions to issues faced by our local communities which include:

  • Food Security
  • Quality culinary employee base
  • Food distribution issues that will allow this region to support a healthy real food lifestyle.  

“Four times a year, the Root to Table Culinary Series offer food experiences where we take the food from its origin and create amazing cuisine to be savored among friends. It is the conversations with the event attendees, chefs, and farmers that make this series so unique.” – Nancy Craun

Root to Table Excellence logo

What Is The “Taste of Excellence”?

The Root to Table Brand of Excellence identifies specifically chefs and their restaurants that serve excellent cuisine, support their locally sourced farmers, and are committed to building a robust and sustainable community. Plus, an invitation to participate in an event series that helps you network with a food movement committed to excellence!

Nothing is more disappointing with the price of enjoying a meal at a restaurant than to be served mediocre food. But when you are not a locale, how do you find a great food experience driven not by price but by the brand of excellence!”- Nancy Craun, Founder of the Root to Table Movement.

Experience Root to Table

Know your Farmer and Chef

Meet The Community

Chef Mike and Marcus at Hillbrook Inn Top Chefs and Locally Sourced Farms

Whether you have lived in the valley all your life and remember the apple and peach orchards or a new comer to the region, you will be surprised by the extraordinary chefs that are taking our locally sourced food and creating cuisine to rival anywhere in the world. To match the cuisine, vineyards, breweries, and distilleries are growing grapes, hops, and barley creating award-winning wines, craft beer, and spirits here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Awards

Root to Table has received multiple grants, including Virginia Tourism, Visit Loudoun, American Evolution, Charlottesville – Albemarle County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and West Virginia’s Jefferson County Convention and Visitor Bureau for our Root to Table Culinary Series.  Moving into its eighth year, the program highlights unique food happenings that will turn dining into storytelling. These experiences emphasize and highlight our passionate partners. The series has expanded to supporting full weekend culinary itinerary-based programs.

To learn more complete the form below!

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