We’re thrilled to invite you to one of our favorite annual events—Chef Rival, happening Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 5–6 PM at the Rocky Mount Mills! This is more than simply a culinary competition; it's a celebration of creativity, community, and a shared goal of Reviving Communities by Food.

If you’ve never experienced Chef Rival before, this is the year to dive in. This event unites people through a love of food and a desire for positive change, featuring everything from delicious BBQ and chef competitions to music, locally sourced beverages, and a whole lot of mission-driven impact.

The heart of Chef Rival is straightforward but profound: food has the potential to bring people together, feed them, and boost them up as a community.

As the impact of Ripe for Revival continues to grow through programs like the Mobile Market and other food access initiatives, it’s clear that local chefs are not only culinary leaders, but also powerful advocates for equity and community change. Chef Rival was launched to celebrate this connection—giving chefs a platform to showcase their talents while supporting a larger mission of food access and empowerment.

 Many of the chefs competing this year have a personal connection to that mission. They recognize that food is more than a meal—it’s a bridge between abundance and need, between community and opportunity. Their participation in Chef Rival reflects a deeper commitment to creating change, using their craft to nourish both people and progress.

BBQ with a twist is the focus of this year's theme, "Flamin' Flavor." Using premium cuts from protein sponsor Wilders, chefs will create their best slow-cooked, smoked, and sauced dishes.

Mobile Markets are truly open to everyone—when you shop on the bus and pay full price, you’re not just getting fresh produce, you’re helping support the mission of the organization, paying it forward to those who need it most. To further highlight this spirit of community, each team will prepare a side meal using the fresh produce available at the market, demonstrating how everyone can benefit from and contribute to this shared resource.

From farm to table, from excess to access, this competition is about celebrating our food system.

Chef Rival is a significant and unforgettable experience rather than just a fun night out:

• Local favorites Craig Saxy, Stuart Stroud, and Will West will perform live.

• Chef Showcases: Watch the chefs in action as they create their recipes, and feel   free to ask questions or get some advice!

• Savor carefully chosen wine from LilyAnn's, beer from Tarboro Brewing Company and Koi Pond Brewery, and rich sweets provided by Coastal Credit Union at the Local Sips & Bites event.

• The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission is sponsoring the VIP Experience, where guests will savor special bites made with local vegetables and NC sweet potatoes by chefs Luke Owens and Matt Register.

• Silent Auction: Place a bid on thrilling bundles while contributing to the cause

• Although the winner receives the trophy, all of the competitors are actually on Team Ripe for Revival.

By bridging the gap between farm excess and food access, Chef Rival's profits directly support Ripe for Revival's aim to revitalize communities through food. Whether you purchase a ticket, spread the word about the event, or bring a friend, your involvement supports local farmers, funds initiatives like the Mobile Markets, and gives families in Eastern North Carolina access to wholesome, reasonably priced food.

Come have dinner, have fun, and make an impact with us at Rocky Mount Mills. Chef Rival is the place to be whether you're a foodie, a community activist, or just looking for a good time.

Get your ticket, invite a friend, and join the revolution. Both your heart and your taste buds will appreciate it.

Note: This event is 21 and over.