For nearly two decades, there has been a quiet but powerful force for good on an assuming block in downtown Birmingham. Much ahead of its time in many ways, Jones Valley Teaching Farm has become a staple of service in the South. 

“JVTF uses food as a foundation so young people can lead, create, and grow a healthy future for themselves and their community. Food is our foundation; people grow here,” shares the team.

Originally imagined as a community garden and farm center, JVTF has expanded its programming, making clear the heartfelt

passion they hold for cultivating a culture of knowledge and compassion.

This Friday, they will host their annual Twilight Supper, offering community members a way to support the deeply important work they have dedicated themselves to. In their own words, “Twilight Supper supports the growth of our nationally-recognized food-based education and community work across Birmingham and the state of Alabama.”

The exciting evening will begin with a cocktail hour featuring talented contemporary jazz artist and lifelong local Eric Essix. A welcome from the JVTF team will lead to the main event, the Dinner in the Fields, brought to life in part by the impactful food organization La Cocina. 

Each La Cocina chef will bring their unique story and cultural influences to the table through thoughtfully prepared dishes. The menu is a playful mix of cuisines, flavor profiles, and textures that speak to each chef’s background and highlight their strengths. 

Fernay McPherson | United States

Fernay McPherson of Minnie Bells Soul Movement will be starting the night off right with a fried chicken wing with caviar and crème fraiche h’ors d’oeuvre followed by roasted winter squash, okra, crispy shallots, and tomato jam plate. 

Luz Dayana Blaquera | Mexico

Luz Dayana Blaquera of El Huarache Loco will prepare a late summer vegetable aguachile h’ors d’oevure followed by charcoal roasted sweet potatoes with mole ahumado. 

Alicia Villanueva | United States

Alicia Villanueva of Alicia’s Tamales Los Mayas will offer a gorgeous grilled sweet corn tamale as a starter with barbeque chicken chipotle adobado as the main.

Reyna Maldonado | Mexico

Reyna Maldonado of Las Guerreras will have two main dishes, smoked beef cheek and brisket barbacoa with local corn tortillas

and salsa and a humble harvest salad. 

Mariko Grady | Japan

Mariko Grady of the beloved Aedan Koji Kitchen will provide three sure-to-be-showstopping dishes: amazake japanese milk bread rolls with aged chickpea miso butter to start, shio koji pork belly, pepper, and onion kushiyaki, and sautéed eggplant with sauce of nostalgia. 

Victoria Lozano | Venezeula

Victoria Lozano of Andina will finish off the night strong with a lemon olive oil cake, red wine poached pears, citrus jam, smoked sour cream whip, and olive oil crumble. 

JVTF and La Cocina have partnered with the shared goal of “lifting up the community through culturally significant cuisine.” The duo hopes to help build something lasting by providing the city’s youth with the access needed to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in the food industry. The Twilight Supper is the perfect culmination of this commitment and a true opportunity to see, touch, and taste the future of Birmingham.