Chef Shemecka McNeil, founder of the nonprofit SLICE 325, will lead five live cooking demonstrations at the Warren County Farmers Market starting Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 8am-12pm. These engaging sessions aim to empower local families with practical skills to prepare nutritious, budget-friendly meals using fresh, seasonal ingredients available at the market.

McNeil, a trained chef, healthcare professional, and farmer, brings over a decade of experience in health and nutrition education. Her work focuses on health equity and sustainable practices, making her a catalyst for change in community wellness. Through SLICE 325, she has led numerous cooking classes and workshops, emphasizing the importance of accessible, healthy eating habits.

As an additional incentive, children participating will earn POP (Power of Produce) bucks to spend on fruits and veggies at the market.

After this weekend’s program, she will be present on June 14, July 19, August 16, and September 20.

The events are free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged (LINK).

For more information, contact Tamara Small (Market Manager) at (252) 213-7246.

NOTE: The Warren County Farmers Market will coincide with the Warren County Annual Health Fair on Saturday, May 17, and will be located at the Warrenton Lion’s Den (429 W. Ridgeway St. Warrenton, NC).

Something special is cooking in Warren County, and it’s not just what’s on the menu.

Starting this May and running through November, the Front Porch Grocery Co-Op will launch the “Sunday Supper Club” series.

Held once a month on Sunday afternoons, this new gathering promises more than just a delicious meal—it’s an invitation to connect with neighbors and build a stronger, more united community.

The Supper Club kicks off on May 18th and will take place at 307 E Macon Street in Warrenton. It includes seating at 3:00pm and 5:00pm. Local caterers and food trucks will prepare meals for up to 200 guests. Diners also have the option to take their meals to go.

Guests can purchase a punch card for $25, which covers five meals, offering an affordable way to dine while supporting local businesses. Punch card holders get priority seating, but if you don’t have one, no worries — $10 standby tickets are available at the door, with seating beginning 30 minutes after the start time (if space allows).

Organized by the Front Porch Grocery Co-Op, it is a community-led initiative working to open a member-owned grocery store in Warren County. Volunteers and board members will be present to answer questions and help guests become members.

The goal is to reach 1,200 members, a milestone to help turn the dream of a local, affordable, community-focused grocery store into a reality.

So whether you are looking to grab a good meal, meet new faces, or join a meaningful cause— the Front Porch Supper Club has a seat waiting for you.

For more information and to reserve your seat: https://warrenist.com/calendar/events/the-front-porch-sunday-supper-club-warrenton-nc-2025.

Pastry chef Gerald Hawkins, Jr. is so close to winning the NCRLA Chef Showdown, he can taste it!

A native of Norlina, Hawkins has made a name for himself in the dessert world, particularly in the southern part of North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. Currently, he’s making tastebuds swoon at the Beach Shop and Grill in Topsail Beach, NC and The Country Club of Landfall in Wilmington, NC.

At 31, his overall cooking experience in traditional and New American cuisine spans over a decade while his focus on pastries has been about eight years.

His take on desserts shows his love and admiration for local ingredients and is steeped in Southern tradition and African-American heritage while elevated with modern techniques and savory elements.

Some of his favorite ingredients to work with include pawpaws, muscadines, Ocracoke figs, Bogue Sound watermelons, and he does not shy away from experimenting with nontraditional flavors, like country ham or sunchokes and turning them into your new favorite dessert.

Gerald Hawkins, Jr. at work / Credit: Robert Fitz

“My Aunt Lib would create treat bags for everyone in the family including favorite candies, fruits, pecans from her tree, and more,” Hawkins reflects. “As we grew older, she would include more of the things you liked and less of those you didn’t like. I try to consider that tailored-for-you feeling in my dessert offerings. I truly just want to create what the community likes and enjoys with a little spin on it to encourage people to think outside the box.”

As a finalist in the NCRLA (North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Assocation) Chef Showdown, he is no stranger to this competition. This is his fifth time competing, and as always, Hawkins stands out among North Carolina’s most talented culinary professionals. This recognition is not only a testament to his skill and creativity but also a nod to the rich culinary heritage of the Carolinas that he so passionately represents.

With the competition underway, the community is rallying behind Hawkins, hoping to see him take home top honors. Regardless of the outcome, his work continues to elevate the art of pastry and be the cream of the crop.

One of Hawkins’s creations / Credit: Robert Fitz

The 2024 NCRLA Chef Showdown Grand Finale is Monday, August 26, 2024, 6-8:30 pm at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham NC. For more information, click here.

To enjoy the visuals of his creations, follow Gerald Hawkins Jr. on Instagram: @geraldhawkinsjr.