Food + Beverage

Made for Gathering

From weeknight dinners to events and milestone celebrations, Mona Lisa Pasta makes coming together around good food easier. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Courtesy of Mona Lisa Pasta When Jim Winecoff opened Mona Lisa Pasta in 2001, his résumé had little to do with ravioli, sauces, or catering. A self-taught cook, Winecoff had spent about nine years as a cabinetmaker before seeing an opportunity to enter the food business without committing to the late nights of running a...

Life + Culture

Charting a New Course

Former chef Brice Cunningham trades the kitchen for a transatlantic challenge Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Courtesy of Brice Cunningham For years, Brice Cunningham’s demanding days were spent in restaurant kitchens, building a culinary career and becoming part of Charlottesville’s food scene at restaurants including le Fleurie, le Petit Pois, and Tempo. Now, the former chef is facing an entirely different kind of pressure as he trains in Brittany, France, to sail solo across...

Travel

Pour and Explore

Sip, savor, and explore your way through Madison County. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Contributing Photographers In Madison County, the Blue Ridge Mountains are the beautifully pervasive backdrop. They rise beyond vineyards, frame tasting-room patios, and beckon from winding country roads, making the scenery as much a part of a wine-country trip as what’s poured into the glass. You can begin a wine getaway in Madison in any part of the county, but DuCard Vineyards is an...

Food + Beverage

A Sweet Sisterhood

A childhood dream brings two sisters and a Dutch tradition together. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Courtesy of Stroopwafel Sisters Long before sisters Judith and Ada Goedbloed began selling fresh stroopwafels in Charlottesville, they imagined going into business together. Growing up in Heerlen, the Netherlands, the sisters talked about someday running a candy store, inspired by two somewhat mysterious sisters who owned one in their hometown. Decades later, that childhood idea...

Food + Beverage

Taking Charlottesville to New Heights

Conference Center General Manager Gregg Hilker and Executive Chef Joseph Madzia Ponte share the vision behind The Perch. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Courtesy of Virginia Guesthouse Rooftop gathering spaces naturally invite people to linger. At The Perch, panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain views provide the backdrop, but the rooftop at The Virginia Guesthouse was also designed to offer more than scenery. Conceived as the hotel’s “crown jewel,” The Perch combines indoor and outdoor...

Food + Beverage

Pairing with a View

Chef Sarah Lamb finds inspiration in food, wine, and scenery. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Cindy Schornberg When Sarah Lamb joined Keswick Vineyards in June, she traded restaurant walls for a food truck with a view. After years spent working in kitchens, she now looks out at the vineyard while creating a menu designed to complement what guests are sipping. Originally from Kansas City, Lamb built her culinary career from the ground up, working her way from fast food to fine...

Wellness

A Fresh Style of Care

Rivanna Concierge Physicians brings a more personal approach to modern healthcare. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Contributing Photographers For Drs. Paige and Mike McClincy, opening Rivanna Concierge Physicians wasn't simply about launching a new medical practice. It was about creating the kind of healthcare experience they believed had become increasingly difficult to find: one centered on relationships, accessibility, and prevention. After years of practicing medicine within...

Local Services

Driven by Lifestyle

Travis Saunders shares how Piedmont Power helps homeowners blend style, function, and outdoor living. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Contributing Photographers What inspired you to start Piedmont Power? Piedmont Power was built on the idea that buying equipment should be a relationship, not just a transaction. From the beginning, our goal has been to provide quality products backed by knowledgeable people who genuinely care about our customers' success. Whether someone is...

Arts + Culture

Art with Heart

Sigrid Eilertson blends art, education, and therapy to inspire creativity throughout the Charlottesville community and beyond. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Courtesy of Sigrid Eilertson For Sigrid Eilertson, art has never simply been something to hang on a wall. It has been a refuge, a form of expression, a way to build community, and ultimately, a life's calling. "I've been making art since I could hold a crayon," Eilertson said. Growing up, she struggled with anxiety and...

Food + Beverage

Steeped in Connection

C-ville Bites founder MJ Padilla reimagines the classic tea party with Tea, Please! Article by MJ Padilla and Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Courtesy of MJ Padilla What inspired you to start your new tea events? After hosting a tea party for my birthday a few years ago, I knew I wanted to create a public version -- a gathering centered on connection, conversation, and good food and drink. Some of my favorite memories growing up in Honduras were watching the ladies sipping tea, playing...