Ember & Earth
From First Soil to Shared Table
A Live-Fire Culinary Experience
Sunday, July 19, 2026
2PM – 6PM
Fieldstone at Hillbrook Inn & Spa
Charles Town, West Virginia
Celebrate 250 Years of History, Hospitality & Community at Fieldstone
Set against the backdrop of the first property purchased by George Washington, Ember & Earth is an immersive open-air culinary experience celebrating food, agriculture, craftsmanship, and community.
Hosted at Fieldstone, an extension of Hillbrook Inn & Spa, guests will gather beneath the open sky for an unforgettable afternoon featuring live-fire cooking, seasonal ingredients, regional beverages, local artisans, and some of the area’s most talented culinary professionals.
Inspired by the simple act of gathering around a fire, Ember & Earth brings together chefs, farmers, artisans, students, businesses, and visitors to celebrate the richness of our region through food, storytelling, and connection.
Featured Experiences
Guests will enjoy:
- Welcome reception with chef-crafted hors d’oeuvres and a communal grazing table upon arrival
- Live-fire chef stations where guests watch each chef transform local ingredients into signature tasting bites
- Fire-roasted local vegetables
- Seasonal salad featuring a dressing curated from Edgewood Apiaries Fire Cider and handcrafted herbal vinegars
- Opportunities to meet chefs, farmers, and artisans
- Open-air dining, community tables, and gathering spaces
- Featured vendors including Mountaineer Popcorn and Edgewood Apiaries
- Live music with Trea Sheehan
- Meet the chefs, farmers, and producers while experiencing the journey from field to fire to table
The Culinary Experience
Ember & Earth is more than a tasting event—it’s a live culinary showcase where every chef tells a different story through fire, flavor, and locally sourced ingredients.
Throughout the afternoon, featured chefs will prepare dishes over open fire using thoughtfully sourced ingredients from regional farms and producers. Each chef brings their own cooking style, techniques, and creativity to seasonal products, giving guests the opportunity to experience how simple ingredients can be transformed into something truly memorable.
Move from chef station to chef station, meet the culinary talent behind each creation, watch the cooking process unfold, and enjoy chef-crafted tasting bites inspired by the journey from field to fire to table.
As you explore the event, you’ll gain a behind-the-scenes look at open-fire cooking, learn the inspiration behind each chef’s creations, and discover the stories connecting local farms, ingredients, and the people who bring them to the table.
Your Culinary Journey Includes
- Welcome Grazing Table featuring artisan cheeses, charcuterie, fresh breads, local jams, jellies, dips, and spreads from regional makers
- Fire-Roasted Seasonal Vegetables from Mackintosh Fruit Farm
- Open-Fire Grilled Meats including locally sourced beef, pork, and Long Stone Farm chicken
- Chef Tasting Stations featuring four chef-crafted tasting bites at each station, including three savory creations and one sweet finale
- Seasonal Ingredients sourced from regional farms and artisan food producers, celebrating the best of the local harvest
Chef Kashif Browne
Hillbrook Inn & Spa | Fieldstone
Chef Mary Ellen Diaz
Alma Bea
Chef Clem Tamasang
Bavarian Inn
Chef Colby Janowitz
Mycelia
Chef Julien Vanderlynden
Cuisine Solutions
Chef Steven Ferrell
Firebox 55
Farmer Lorie Macintosh
Mackintosh Fruit Farm
Farmer Kat Zajac
Villacaro Farm
Farmers Justin and Casey Wisch
Long Stone Farm
Farmer Shepherds Whey Creamery
Food Artisan Wilder Bakehouse
Farmer David Klauer
Prime Hydroponic
Artisan Market
Shop a thoughtfully curated selection of local farms, food artisans, and makers offering handcrafted foods, beverages, and specialty goods. Bring a cooler to safely transport fresh and perishable purchases home after the event.
Meet the Hosts
“Ember & Earth was created to bring people together through food, fire, agriculture, and hospitality. This event celebrates the incredible chefs, farmers, artisans, students, businesses, and visitors who make our region so special. We believe the most meaningful experiences happen when people gather around a table, share stories, and create lasting connections. It is our honor to welcome guests to Fieldstone and celebrate the people, products, and traditions that continue to shape our community.”
– Carissa Zanella | Owner, Hillbrook Inn & Spa
“Cooking over fire is one of the oldest forms of gathering and hospitality. Ember & Earth honors that tradition while showcasing the remarkable ingredients, farmers, and culinary talent found throughout our region. Every dish tells a story, and every ingredient reflects the dedication of the people who cultivate it. We look forward to sharing that story with our guests through an unforgettable afternoon of food, fellowship, and craftsmanship.”
– Chef Kashif Browne | Executive Chef & Owner, Hillbrook Inn & Spa | Fieldstone
Gather Around the Fire.
Celebrate the Land.
Share the Table.
Sponsors
We are grateful for the support of:
A Summer Escape That’s
Closer Than You Think
Escape the city and experience Ember & Earth at Fieldstone at Hillbrook Inn & Spa in Charles Town, West Virginia—just over an hour from much of Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.
Spend the afternoon enjoying live-fire cooking, local chefs, regional farms, artisan vendors, live music, and beautiful countryside before heading home or extending your stay.
Perfect for a Day Trip
- Just over 1 hour from Washington, DC
- Easy drive from Northern Virginia, Loudoun County & Shenandoah Valley
- Free parking at Fieldstone at Hillbrook Inn & Spa
- Nearby lodging options available
Make It a Weekend
Why not extend your visit? Discover charming inns, boutique hotels, and unique lodging experiences throughout the region, then spend more time exploring nearby wineries, breweries, historic sites, hiking trails, and small-town charm before or after the event.
Planning to stay overnight? Explore our recommended lodging partners and book early, as summer weekends are popular throughout the region.
Explore Lodging ExperiencesFieldstone at Hillbrook Inn
Nestled within the historic grounds of Hillbrook Inn and Spa, Fieldstone at Cool Springs Farm is a newly unveiled culinary destination rooted in heritage and renewed for gathering. Surrounded by rolling landscape and deep history, it offers a setting that feels both intimate and timeless.
4490 Summit Point Road
Charles Town, West Virginia