Middleburg, Virginia

The Family Reunion, the immersive experience celebrating diversity in the hospitality community, returned for a fourth year this past August at Salamander Middleburg in Middleburg, VA.

Last year's enriching programming was highlighted by some of the industry’s top talent including Carla Hall, Rodney Scott, Bryan Furman, Gregory Gourdet, Mashama Bailey and Tavel Bristol-Joseph and several surprise guests.

Presented by Chef and Author Kwame Onwuachi in collaboration with Dotdash Meredith’s FOOD & WINE and Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Collection, the multi-day event crosses culinary boundaries and combines thought-provoking panel discussions, topical cooking demonstrations, inspiring recreational activities and daily “family” meals where attendees and celebrity participants can interact. The annual event was lauded by guests and talent for its energetic and unique approach.

The mission of The Family Reunion is to nurture, develop and celebrate racial and ethnic diversity within the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Appleton Estate
Eggplant
Cucumber Avocado
Uni
Salad
Jerk Chicken
/

For 2024 Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact [email protected]

FOR 2024 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE SEE OUR FAQ SECTION BELOW
Sheila and Kwame
house

Sign Up For More Information

#TheFamilyReunion
@salamanderresort
| @salamanderhotels


Photo: Storm Santos

Kwame Onwuachi

Kwame Onwuachi is a James Beard Award-winning chef, restauranteur, and author of the critically acclaimed memoir “Notes from a Young Black Chef,” which is being turned into a feature film by A24. Kwame's resume is incomparable: he has been named one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs, Esquire Magazine's 2019 Chef of the Year, and is a 30 Under 30 honoree by both Zagat and Forbes. He's also been featured on Time's 100 Next List and has been named the most important Chef in America by the San Francisco Chronicle.

“The reception to this event has been incredible, and there really is nothing else like it in the entire country. We look forward to throwing one heck of a party again.”

Kwame Onwuachi
Kwame plating
kwame
kwame
kwame
kwame
/

2024 Featured Talent

Adrienne Cheatham

Chef & Author

Alexander Smalls

James Beard Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur and The Family Reunion’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Andre Fowles

Chef, 3X Food Network "Chopped" Champion Miss Lily's

Brian Jupiter

Chef and Owner of Frontier, Ina Mae Tavern, Jup's Soup, and Jup's Chicken Coop

Bryan Furman

Pitmaster-Chef-Owner, Bryan Furman BBQ

Camari Mick

Executive Pastry Chef, The Musket Room & Raf's

Carla Hall

Chef, Restaurateur, Author

Charlie Mitchell

Executive Chef & Partner at Clover Hill

Damarr Brown

Chef de Cuisine Virtue Restaurant & Bar and Top This Mac N' Cheese

David Morrison

Deputy Master Blender, Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum

David Thomas

Executive Chef & Partner, H3irloom Food Group

Douglass Williams

Chef/Owner, MIDA South End, MIDA Newton, APIZZA Boston

Dr. Jessica B. Harris

Food Historian, Award-Winning Author, Journalist

Erick Williams

Chef & Owner of Virtue Restaurant, Mustard Seed Kitchen, Daisy's Po-Boy & Tavern, and Top This Mac N' Cheese

Georgiana Viou

Chef at ROUGE restaurant in Nîmes

Ghetto Gastro

Culinary Collection

Gregory Gourdet

Chef and Founder - Kann and Sousòl | Author, Everyone’s Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health | 2022 James Beard Award Winner and 2023 James Beard Award Winner for Best New Restaurant

Jamila Robinson

Food Media Leader and Food Editor, Philadelphia Inquirer

JR Robinson

Chef & Owner, Kitchencray

Kamat Newman

Chef de Cuisine, Tatiana

Ken Pettus

Founder, Unwine101

Kevin Bludso

James Beard Award Winning Chef, Restaurateur, TV Personality, Author

Kwame Onwuachi

James Beard Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, and Author

Lamar Moore

Executive Chef Bronzeville Winery

Martel Stone

Chef de Cuisine, Dōgon

Mashama Bailey

Co-Founder & Exec Chef, Grey Spaces

Matthew Lyons

Yoga, Meditation, and Sound Healing Guide

Mawa McQueen

Chef and Owner McQueen Hospitality, Mawa's Kitchen, Mawita, The Crepe Shack, Mawa's GrainFreeNola

Maya-Camille Broussard

Chef and Owner, Justice of the Pies

Melba Wilson

Chef, Restaurateur & Author

Nina Oduro

Co-founder, Dine Diaspora and Black Women in Food Initiative

Nancy Giles

Actor, Podcast Host, and Emmy Award-Winning Contributor to CBS News Sunday Morning

Nyesha Joyce Arrington

Chef and TV Personality, Next Level Chef

Osei Blackett

Owner of Picky Eaters Restaurant, Ariapita Restaurant and Chef Picky Events and Catering

Pierre Serrao

Chef + Entrepreneur

Preston Clark

Executive Chef and Culinary Director of Lure Fishbar

Rasheed Philips

Pitmaster, TV Personality, Philanthropist, Owner of Philips Barbeque Co.

Rodney Scott

James Beard Award-Winning Chef and Pitmaster, Founder & Owner, Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ

Serigne Mbaye

Chef

Shorne Benjamin

Culinary Artist, Owner of Fat Fowl NYC

Tavel Bristol-Joseph

Pastry Chef and Partner at Emmer & Rye, Hestia, Kalimotxo, Henbit, TLV and Canje

Tiffany Derry

Chef/Owner at Roots Southern Table, Roots Chicken Shak, Radici and Shef Spice

Tonya Thomas

Executive Pastry Chef & Partner, H3irloom Food Group

Vallery Lomas

Baker, Author and Winner of Great American Baking Show

Virginia Ali

Chef and Founder, Ben’s Chili Bowl

Our 2024 Partners

Amazon
Food & Wine
Wells Fargo
Lexus
Zigma World
Inspire
Select Event Group
Culinary Institute of America
United
Food
Ama Waterways
toast
Visit Loudoun

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Kristi Naeris at [email protected]

The Family Reunion enjoys sponsorship support from FOOD & WINE, Wells Fargo, Appleton Estate, Amazon, Virginia Tourism Corp, United Airlines, Coca-Cola, AmaWaterways, Zigma World, Inspire, Lexus, Toast, Visit Loudoun and Select Event Group who all support the Onwuachi '13 scholarship fund at The Culinary Institute of America.

Featured Wineries

McBride Sisters

McBride Sisters

Wade Cellars

Wade Cellars

chosen family

Chosen Family

The Winery at Bull Run

The Winery at Bull Run

Michael Lavelle

Michael Lavelle

Our Supporters

Ecolab
Empower Adventures
Nubian Hueman
Keany
Tilit
Oishii
Middleton Made Knives
Osborne Events
Perfect Fourth
Le Pralineur
The Game of Spades
VerTerra

2024 Event Schedule


Day 15 Thurs

August 15, 2024

5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Middleburg Terrace Tent

Welcome Reception: The Cookout

Presented by United Airlines & Virginia Tourism Corporation

Join us as we kick off the weekend Family Reunion Style. There’s nothing like a BBQ, especially a Family BBQ featuring some of the best pitmasters and legendary half smokes you can find.

Featured Chefs: Bryan Furman, Rodney Scott, Virginia Ali, Kevin Bludso, Rasheed Philips, Salamander Culinary Team

9:00 pm - 12:00 am
Salamander Middleburg

Afterglows

Presented By Appleton Estate

Join us inside to keep the party going with live music and late-night libations.

  • Harrimans - Late Night Snacks
  • Library - The Wine Down
  • The Distillery at Gold Cup - Craft Cocktails by Appleton Estate
10:00 pm - 12:00 am
Middleburg Ballroom

Rhythm in Mint

Join us for a special R&B Night with a surprise guest.
Attire: Mint Green
*Only available to All Access Passholders

Day 16 Fri

August 16, 2024

7:00 am - 10:00 am
Gold Cup & Harrimans

“Rise and Dine” Breakfast


Featured Chefs: Mawa McQueen and Salamander Culinary Team

10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Middleburg Ballroom

Panel Discussions 

Presented by Toast

10:15 am - 11:15 am
pointerMiddleburg Ballroom

Make It Make Cents


The food industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving sector offering numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs, chefs, restaurateurs, and food product innovators. Whether you're looking to start a food truck, launch a new restaurant concept, develop a food product, or leverage digital platforms for culinary content, let’s explore the diverse pathways to financial success.

Panelist: Mawa McQueen, Carla Hall, Erick Williams
Moderator: Nancy Giles

11:30 am - 12:30 pm
pointerMiddleburg Ballroom

Building a Legacy with Your Partner


A conversation with Adrian Holmes and Caroline Chikezie Holmes led by Jamila Robinson. 

12:30 pm-3:00 pm
Middleburg Terrace Tent

Family Style Lunch

Enjoy a family style lunch under the tent by some of the hardest restaurant reservations to snag.

Featuring: Kwame Onwuachi & Kamat Newman with Tatiana, Gregory Gourdet with Kann and Maya-Camille Broussard

3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

Please note that Breakout Sessions are only open to All Access Pass Holders.

3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
pointerEquestrian Lawn

BBQ 101

Have you ever wanted to learn about how to make BBQ from the pros? Well, you’re in luck. We have the best in the game to walk you through it and feed your soul.

Featured Chefs: Bryan Furman and Rasheed Philips 


3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
pointerAcross from the Harrimans Fire Pit

Jerk: The Dish that Freed a Nation Presented by Appleton Estate

Jerk is a dish of freedom and resilience. Join us in a masterclass on traditional jerk and how that dish came to be, along with the importance of rum to the Jamaican people and its special connection to Jerk.

Featured Talent: Andre Fowles, Chef Picky and Master Blender, David Morrison


3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
pointerEquestrian Center

Chopped  

Compete on Chopped! Four teams of up to four will work together to turn mystery ingredients into an incredible dish. Work as a team to mix, chop and cook up a special dish for our chefs to judge.

Judges: Carla Hall, Vallery Lomas, Tiffany Derry


3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
pointerMiddleburg Ballroom 2

Discover the Secret Ingredients: Strategies and Resources for Scaling Your Business

Join Wells Fargo’s Kristy Fercho for a panel discussion with entrepreneurs Kerri Harper-Howie and Nicole Harper-Rawlins (McDonalds mega-franchise owners) as well as Dee Robinson (CEO, Good Trouble Spirits Company), as the four successful Black businesswomen unpack how they scaled their business, amassed wealth, developed a social media following, and are building a legacy for the next generation.


3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
pointerLibrary

High on the Hog Discussion

Join us as we learn the history and origins of African American cuisine and glean from the acclaimed food historian Dr. Jessica B Harris and knowledge of the culinary diaspora.

Moderator: Jamila Robinson


3:30 pm to 6:00 pm
pointerHarrimans

Spades Tournament

Presented by Amazon

It’s not a family reunion without Spades. Choose your partner wisely.

Featured chefs: JR Robinson, Mashama Bailey, Tavel Bristol-Joseph


3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
pointerMiddleburg Ballroom 3

Blind and Unwined 

Join Sommelier Ken Pettus to test your palette's savoir faire with a blind taste test of reds and whites that may save your wallet or break the bank. Learn which you like best.


3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
pointerThe Grand Lawn

Family Field Day

Let the games begin. Join the different Family Reunion teams to compete in a series of field games to see which family will reign. Earn bonus points for your Family Team!

Team Captains: Camari Mick, Georgiana Viou, Pierre Serrao, Shorne Benjamin


3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
pointerSalamander Middleburg

Zip Lining with Charlie Mitchell 


3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
pointerSalamander Movement Studio

Body, Breath & Mind

Reset for the evening activities with yoga lead by Matthew Lyons.

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Middelburg Terrace Tent

Southern Juke Joint

Presented By Appleton Estate

Take a trip to the dirty south. Taste soul food and feel the funk!

Featured Chefs: Adrienne Cheatham, Brian Jupiter, Damarr Brown, David Thomas, Douglass Williams, Lamar Moore, Melba Wilson, Millie Peartree, Nyesha Arrington, Tonya Thomas, Preston Clark, Salamander Pastry

10:00 pm-12:00 am
Salamander Middleburg

Afterglows

Presented By Appleton Estate

  • Harrimans - Late Night Snacks
  • Library - The Wine Down
  • The Distillery at Gold Cup - Craft Cocktails by Appleton Estate
Day 17 Sat

August 17, 2024

7:00 am -10:00 am
Harrimans & Gold Cup

“Rise and Dine” Breakfast


Featured Chefs: Mawa McQueen and Salamander Culinary Team

10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Middleburg Ballroom

Panel Discussions

Presented by Wells Fargo

10:15 am - 11:15 am
pointerMiddleburg Ballroom

Own Your Legacy: The Cost of Value and Identity

Our legacies impact and encourage the path taken by future generations, but at what cost to us?
Panelists: Jamila Robinson, Preston Clark, Alexander Smalls
Moderator: Nina Oduro

11:30 am - 12:30 pm
pointerMiddleburg Ballroom

A Lifetime of Achievements

A conversation with Sheila Johnson led by Nancy Giles

12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Middleburg Terrace Tent

Family Style Lunch

Enjoy a family style lunch under the tent by some of the hardest restaurant reservations to snag.

Featured: Erick Williams & Damarr Brown, Virtue, and Martel Stone, Dōgon, and Camari Mick

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

Please note that Breakout Sessions are only open to All Access Pass Holders.

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
pointerEquestrian Lawn

BBQ 101

Have you ever wanted to learn about how to make BBQ from the pros? Well, you’re in luck. We have got the best in the game here to walk you through it and feed your soul.

Featured Chefs: Rodney Scott and Kevin Bludso


3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
pointerAcross from the Harrimans Fire Pit 

Jerk: The Dish that Freed a Nation Presented by Appleton Estate

Jerk is a dish of freedom and resilience. Join us in a masterclass on traditional jerk and how that dish came to be, along with the importance of rum to the Jamaican people and its special connection to Jerk.

Featured Chefs: Andre Fowles, Gregory Gourdet and Master Blender David Morrison


3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
pointerEquestrian Center 

Chopped  

Compete on Chopped! Four teams of up to four will work together to turn mystery ingredients into an incredible dish. Work as a team to mix, chop and cook up a special dish for our chefs to judge.

Judges: Carla Hall and Melba Wilson


3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
pointerCulinary Garden Tent

A Noble Grain: The Legacy of Rice in America Presented by Food & Wine

Join us for a conversation with Alexander Smalls, George McCalman and Serigne Mbaye led by Hunter Lewis, Editor in Chief, Food & Wine on the Origins of Rice in America.


3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
pointerHarrimans

Spades Tournament

Presented by Amazon

It’s not a family reunion without Spades. Choose your partner wisely.

Featured Chefs: Lamar Moore, Nyesha Arrington


3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
pointerMiddleburg Ballroom 2

Investing In You: Women’s Empowerment with Sheila Johnson & Gigi Dixon

Following a 2025 financial forecast presentation to help you shield your business from economic headwinds, join Salamander Collection founder & CEO, Sheila Johnson, and Wells Fargo executive, Gigi Dixon for a fireside chat on the importance of women’s financial independence and preparedness. Be there as they launch a new Women’s Empowerment Initiative designed to equip women with the resources and knowledge to bet on themselves, overcome imposter syndrome and accomplish their goals.


3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
pointerMiddleburg Ballroom 1

Sip & Shake: Appleton Creation Station with Master Blender David Morrison

Embrace the island flavors and participate in a competitive, creative cocktail-making session with one of Appleton's master blenders for a chance to win Appleton Estate’s Signature Rum.


3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
pointerMiddleburg Ballroom 3 

Liquid to Lips

Meet the winemakers behind some of the best Black-owned wines from the region. Listen to their stories, bring their incredible liquid to your lips, and cast your vote to help us crown the Family Reunion's Favorite wine this year.


3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
pointerThe Grand Lawn

Family Field Day

Let the games begin. Are you a Jackson or an Obama? Join the different Family Reunion teams to compete in a series of field games to see which family will reign. Earn bonus points for your Family Team!

Team Captains: Adrienne Cheatham, Brian Jupiter, Douglass Williams, Maya-Camille Broussard


3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
pointerSalamander Middleburg

Zip Lining

Team Captains: David & Tonya Thomas


2:00 pm - 3:30 pm | 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
pointerSalamander Movement Studio

Sound Bath Experience 

Find balance and reset for the evening activities with the healing effects of a sound bath lead by Matthew Lyons.

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Middleburg Terrace Tent

90’s Block Party

Presented by Wells Fargo

It’s not The Family Reunion without our signature block party. Great food, a special Lifetime Achievement Award presentation, and the DJ spinning all night. Come dressed in nostalgic 90’s gear, and party like it's 1999.

Featured Chefs: Charlie Mitchell, Georgiana Viou, JR Robinson, Mashama Bailey, Chef Picky, Pierre Serrao, Serigne Mbaye, Shorne Benjamin, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Tiffany Derry, Vallery Lomas, Salamander Pastry

10:00 pm - 12:00 am
Salamander Middleburg

Afterglow 

Late Night Brunch With Ghetto Gastro

Day 18 Sun

August 18, 2024

10:00 am - 10:30 am
Middleburg Terrace Tent

Sunday Service

Let’s all gather in gratitude as we have made it through another year. It’s time to say our farewells and be thankful for what we have.

*Event schedule and talent subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • WHAT ARE THE DATES OF THE 2024 FAMILY REUNION IN MIDDLEBURG, VA?

    AUGUST 15-18, 2024.

  • How can I volunteer at the Family Reunion?

    Thank you for your interest in supporting the 2024 Family Reunion. Please complete our Volunteer Application by Monday, July 1, 2024 for consideration. Please note that space is limited. You will be notified via email by Friday, July 19, 2024. 

  • Are FR events suitable for those who are on restrictive diets (e.g. vegan, keto, vegetarian?)

    The events at The Family Reunion feature a wide variety of foods and beverages from all categories. We cannot guarantee that participating chefs and restaurants will prepare dishes without common allergens, including nuts, dairy, gluten, etc. It's important to always ask the chef, server or vendor whether or not allergens or ingredients are in the dishes you are going to consume. We will have vegetarian and plant-based options available.

  • WHAT MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THE HEALTH & SAFETY OF ATTENDEES?

    The safety and comfort of our attendees, staff and community remain our top priority as we plan and prepare for the 2024 Family Reunion. The event regulations, policies and protocols are under constant review, fully subject to change and will be continually updated and revised in accordance with the most current public health (CDC, State of Virginia, Loudoun County) information, direction and official guidelines.

  • WHAT EVENTS ARE INCLUDED WITH AN ALL-ACCESS PROGRAM PASS?

    The All-Access Program Pass gives guest access to the Thursday Cook Out and Afterglow, breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday, evening dinner events and Afterglows on Friday and Saturday, access to all panels and speakers and breakout activity sessions on Friday and Saturday.

  • How do I register for breakout sessions included in my All-Access Program Pass?

    We will notify you via email to register for breakout sessions closer to the event date.

  • HOW CAN MY COMPANY BECOME A SPONSOR AT THE FAMILY REUNION?

    For more information about becoming a sponsor please contact [email protected].

  • WHERE DO THE EVENTS TAKE PLACE?

    All events take place at Salamander Middleburg.

  • IS THE FAMILY REUNION KID-FRIENDLY?

    Guests must be 21 years or older to attend The Family Reunion. While we love kids, the weekend schedule does not include any kid-focused activities, and some of Salamander's usual kid-friendly features may not be accessible due to the event schedule and locations.

  • WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?
    Tickets and room packages are non-refundable.
     
    Neither party will be liable or responsible to the other party, nor be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement for any failure or delay in fulfilling or performing any obligation under this Agreement, when such failure or delay is due to any of the following causes (which causes are hereinafter referred to as "Force Majeure"), to the extent beyond its reasonable control: acts of God, fire, floods, earthquakes, embargoes, accident, riots, war, sabotage, terrorist acts, mob violence, epidemic, pandemic, quarantine, civil insurrections, breakdown of communication facilities, breakdown of web host, breakdown of internet service provider, natural catastrophes, governmental acts or omissions, actions of military or naval authorities, changes in laws or regulations, strikes, lockouts or labor disturbances, explosions, or generalized lack of availability of raw materials or energy; provided that the Parties stipulate that Force Majeure does not include the novel coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.
     
    Each party so prevented or hindered thereby must use reasonable commercial efforts to avoid or remove such causes of nonperformance, and must continue performance hereunder with reasonable dispatch whenever such causes are removed. Either party must provide the other party with prompt written notice of any delay or failure to perform that occurs by reason of Force Majeure.
     
    To avoid any doubt, Force Majeure does not include any of the following: (a) financial distress nor the inability of either party to make a profit or avoid a financial loss; (b) changes in market prices or conditions; or (c) a party's financial inability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

Press Contact

To register your interest in a media credential for the 2024 Family Reunion, please click here. For further assistance, please contact Matt Owen, Vice President of Communications for Salamander Collection, at [email protected].

Content Library

CBS Sunday Morning: Sheila Johnson on Walking Through Fire
CBS Sunday Morning: Sheila Johnson on Walking Through Fire
Sweet July: Kwame Onwuachi’s Family Reunion Is A Chance For Top Black Food Professionals To Commune, Connect And Create
Sweet July: Kwame Onwuachi’s Family Reunion Is A Chance For Top Black Food Professionals To Commune, Connect And Create
Fox5 DC: “The Family Reunion
Fox5 DC: “The Family Reunion" returns for its third year at Salamander Middleburg
WTOP News: Black chefs chop it up at Family Reunion food festival in Middleburg
WTOP News: Black chefs chop it up at Family Reunion food festival in Middleburg
Chef Kwame Onwuachi's Presents 'The Family  Reunion' — Here's How to Get Tickets
Food & Wine: Chef Kwame Onwuachi's Presents 'The Family Reunion' — Here's How to Get Tickets