Community Calendar

A farm-to-table experience that will 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

Chefs of all backgrounds and culinary styles are encouraged to apply.

Come to Garden Lover's Day in support of the Hill & Valley Garden Club's local scholarship funds. Enjoy artisan vendors, food trucks, raffles, music, and of course, garden tours and plant sales. Find more information here

At 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, the Piedmont Master Gardeners will present “Attracting Birds to Your Garden,” a free Garden Basics class. The class is open to all and will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1118 Preston Ave. in Charlottesville. Participants will learn how a mixture of native trees, shrubs and perennials in the garden can provide birds with year-round food, winter shelter and nesting areas. They will also discover how water features in the yard, especially moving water, act as magnets for birds. Space is limited. To register for the class, visit https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/. Registration closes at 5 p.m. May 15 or when the class is full.

A farm-to-table experience that will 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

Chefs of all backgrounds and culinary styles are encouraged to apply.

A farm-to-table experience that will 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

Chefs of all backgrounds and culinary styles are encouraged to apply.

Join us at this free lecture by Scott Jost to learn more about native bees while surrounded by his astounding photography. Scott’s native bees photography is on display at the Frances Plecker Education Center through May.

A farm-to-table experience that will 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

Chefs of all backgrounds and culinary styles are encouraged to apply.

A farm-to-table experience that will 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

Chefs of all backgrounds and culinary styles are encouraged to apply.

A farm-to-table experience that will 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

Chefs of all backgrounds and culinary styles are encouraged to apply.

A farm-to-table experience that will 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

Chefs of all backgrounds and culinary styles are encouraged to apply.