Local chefs are coming together for a Caribbean-inspired Cook-Off benefiting the Ford Haitian Foundation!
Join us for an afternoon of incredible food, live music, and community - all in support of a meaningful cause
3 local Chefs are competing in this flavor-filled day:
Chef Racquel White of Rum Punch
Chef Sober Pierre of Pearl Island
Chef Ian Rubenoff, North Gardenprivate chef
Purchase a wristband to sample delicious dishes created exclusively for this event by chefs generously donating their time and talent. All proceeds directly benefit the Institute Marantha of Grison-Garde, Haiti, which provides:
• Free education for more than 1,900 students
• Housing and care for orphans and the elderly
• Vocational training for 75 adults
• Essential healthcare clinics and community support
Date | Saturday, September 5
- 12:00 – 2:00pm |Eat amazing food, vote for your favorite chef
- 12:00 - 2:00pm | Live Music by Byron Massie
- 2:30 – 4:30pm | Live Music by LUA Project
Reserve your wristband in advance to pick it up at Will Call here
Are you a Chef interested in competing, or a business interested in sponsoring? We'd love to chat! Contact us at Events@AlbemarleCiderWorks.com
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About the Ford Haitian Foundation:
Founded in North Garden, Virginia, more than 24 years ago, the Ford Haitian Foundation is dedicated to supporting underserved communities in rural northern Haiti, specifically Grison-Garde. Through educational initiatives, housing programs, nutrition support, and vocational training, the organization currently serves more than 1,900 students through four free primary and secondary schools, as well as adult vocational programs in carpentry, tailoring, welding, and electrical/solar training, and medical clinics
You can donate to this organization here
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About the musicians:
Byron Massie is both a singer and songwriter, born and raised in Nelson County. Byron was born into a family whose musical traditions go back generations and have helped shape the musician he is today. He is almost always accompanied by his Dad, Billy, on the dobro. Together they provide a true instrumental harmony which allows you to melt into the stories created by the songs Byron has written.
Lua Project is a cultural pollinator, bridging musical styles from different continents and different centuries. They write about contemporary themes, but draw on the musical traditions of their own families' past. The music is inspired by Mexican Son, Appalachian song forms, Jewish and Eastern European tonalities, baroque melodic ideas, and Scotch-Irish narrative storytelling approaches. They strive to create a repertoire that constitutes new traditional music that they will be able to pass down to their children to experience, transform, and pass on
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About the Chefs!
About Sober Pierre | Pearl Island
Sober Pierre is the son of Haitian immigrants and the founder of Charlottesville's Pearl Island Foods, which he established in 2013 to share the diverse cultures and flavors of the Caribbean through authentic food and drink. In 2018, Pearl Island was the winner of Tom Tom Festival's Iron Chef Competition.
Learn more at:https://pearlislandcatering.com/
About Racquel White | Rum Punch
Originally from Jamaica, Chef Racquel White has become an integral part of Charlottesville's food community. Alongside her husband, she has introduced local diners to authentic Caribbean cuisine through beloved dishes such as oxtail, jerk chicken, curry goat, and her unforgettable mac and cheese.
You can find Racquel sharing her food at local farmers markets, art events, pop-ups, and restaurant takeovers throughout Charlottesville's Downtown Mall.
With more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, her recipes are the product of passion, experience, and tradition. Every dish is packed with bold, authentic flavors that have earned Rum Punch a loyal following.
Follow Rum Punch on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rum_punch_jamaican_restaurant/
About Ian Rubenoff | North Garden Chef & Culinary Services
Ian Rubenoff is a private chef with 20 years experience, specializing in elevated gatherings throughout the Charlottesville region. A passionate locavore, Rubenoff creates garden-to-table meals using seasonal ingredients, many of which he grows from seed in his own backyard
Although generally available by private hire, opportunities to experience his cooking are also available through pop-up wine and cider dinners, including the annual North Garden Dinner hosted at Albemarle CiderWorks
Contact Ian.Rubenoff@gmail.com to learn more
