DOSWELL—A discriminating palate is not a prerequisite for a new tasting event during the State Fair of Virginia. Just bring your appetite.

Celebrity chefs, regional brewers and Virginia vintners will present a delectable farm-sourced menu at Taste of Virginia. The event benefits Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom, the fair’s youth scholarship program and the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability. The tasting event will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, in Meadow Hall at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.

Tickets include premium parking and entry to the State Fair, which will be held Sept. 22 through Oct. 1. Proceeds benefit the foundation that brings agricultural concepts and projects to classrooms statewide.

“Taste of Virginia tells the story of Virginia agriculture and its impact on our daily lives,” said Christy Murphy, AITC fundraising coordinator. “We are excited to showcase growers, chefs and spirits found across the commonwealth. AITC’s mission is to connect children to agriculture, and this event will help us raise funds to continue providing free resources to educators and volunteers to help us ensure children know where their food, fuel and fiber originate.”

Farm-fresh ingredients sourced from 14 partner farms will be incorporated into every dish, coordinated through VA FAIRS.

“Virginia boasts such a robust number of farms and agricultural products that can be grown here,” said Whitney Perkins, VA FAIRS assistant director. “You can’t beat the freshness, quality, and having that relationship—know your farmer, know your food.”

Chef Tammy Brawley of The Green Kitchen and host of Heart of the Home on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program, will serve up the show’s most-clicked recipe—tomato pie.

“Tomato pie is the epitome of summer,” she said. “My daughter requests it every year when tomatoes come in. You can look up a thousand different recipes, and this is my version, which is bite-sized for this event.”

She’ll also serve corn salsa with chips. Brawley described it as having a great flavor with fresh, seasonal vegetables. “Vegetables are your stars that really shine when they’re in season.”

Six other celebrity chefs from notable restaurants and televised competitions will prepare signature dishes, including Leah Branch, Antwon Brinson, Kaniyah Carey, Steve Glenn, Mike Lindsey and Kip Poole. Pairings include tastings from Cirrus vodka, The Estate at Whitehall Vineyard, Hardywood Brewery, Patch Brewing Co., Wind Vineyards and Woodbine Vineyards.

Tickets are still available at $100 each or $150 per couple. Visit shorturl.at/fuUW9 to purchase tickets or call Murphy at 804-290-1030 with questions.

Media: Contact Murphy at 804-290-1030, Perkins at 804-290-1155 or Brawley at 804-687-7099.