The Family Reunion Unveils Fifth-Year Schedule: A Celebration of Culinary Excellence

The Family Reunion, a culinary celebration of color and excellence, has announced its fifth anniversary schedule of events. The August 14-17 event at the Five-Star Salamander Middleburg resort features top culinary talent, discussions, demonstrations, wine tastings, family lunches, and evening celebrations. The event supports the Onwuachi '13 scholarship fund at The Culinary Institute of America and has partnerships with Wells Fargo, Amazon, Lexus, and more.

The Family Reunion, a highly anticipated culinary event, has unveiled its fifth anniversary schedule of events. Taking place from August 14 to 17 at the Five-Star Salamander Middleburg resort, the event features top culinary talent, thought-provoking discussions, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, family lunches, and evening celebrations. This year's event supports the Onwuachi '13 scholarship fund at The Culinary Institute of America and boasts partnerships with notable companies such as Wells Fargo, Amazon, Lexus, and Google [1].

The event is helmed by renowned chefs and restaurateurs including Erick Williams, Nyesha Arrington, Gregory Gourdet, Mashama Bailey, Rodney Scott, Carla Hall, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, and Alexander Smalls. The multi-day event combines various activities, such as panel discussions on the legacy of Edna Lewis, cooking demonstrations, recreational activities, and vibrant evening parties. Since its inception in 2021, The Family Reunion has quickly become one of the nation's premier culinary events, selling out with approximately 1,000 attendees each day [1].

The opening night of the event will feature a cookout presented by United Airlines and Virginia Tourism Corporation, showcasing legendary pitmaster chefs. New for 2025, the event will include rotating "Breakthrough" sessions, a Food & Wine-curated panel on Edna Lewis, and popular breakouts such as "Jerk: The Dish That Freed a Nation" and a Chopped-style competition. Additionally, attendees will be divided into teams to compete in various interactive games throughout the weekend [1].

The Family Reunion's mission is to nurture, develop, and celebrate racial and ethnic diversity within the next generation of hospitality professionals. The celebration takes place at Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Middleburg resort, one of only five properties in the USA to hold separate Forbes Five-Star ratings for accommodations, spa, and dining. Experiences will occur throughout the resort's 340 acres, including its Culinary Garden and Library [1].

Sheila Johnson, the owner of Salamander Collection, is renowned for co-founding Black Entertainment Television and collaborating with Kwame Onwuachi to create the highly acclaimed restaurant Dōgon at Salamander Washington DC hotel. Onwuachi, who owns Tatiana in New York City, recently announced two new dining projects: Maroon in Las Vegas and Las’ Lap Miami [1].

The 2025 Family Reunion's full list of partners includes Salamander Collection, Food & Wine, Wells Fargo, Virginia Tourism Corporation, United Airlines, Sheila Johnson Collection, National Restaurant Association, Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), Amazon, Google, Lexus, OpenTable, Toast, Select Events, Coca-Cola, Inspire, Zigma World, AmaWaterways, Ecolab, Glad, Tilit, Visit Loudoun, La Colombe, and Nubian Hueman [1].

For more information on the event schedule, visit www.salamanderhotels.com/familyreunion or follow along on Instagram at @salamanderresort, @salamanderhotels, @foodandwine, and @chefkwameonwuachi [1].

References:
[1] https://www.streetinsider.com/Globe+Newswire/The+Family+Reunion+Unveils+Fifth-Year+Schedule+of+Events/25093993.html