Giving Back

Sam Beall Fellows Program

The Blackberry Farm Foundation is proud to relaunch the Sam Beall Fellows Program in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America. This immersive, semester-long paid fellowship honors the legacy of Sam Beall, our late proprietor whose vision, passion and commitment to hospitality continue to inspire the Blackberry Farm experience.

Originally launched in 2018, the Sam Beall Fellows Program was created to provide life-changing, hands-on learning opportunities to young professionals pursuing careers in the culinary and hospitality industries – just as Sam experienced early in his career. After a pause during the pandemic and industry shifts, the program is being reintroduced in collaboration with the CIA to help cultivate the next generation of leaders in food and hospitality.

Interested CIA students should consult the CIA internal student portal for eligibility details and application information.

Apply Here

Mission

Through immersive work and real-world learning, the Sam Beall Fellows Program offers participants an unparalleled opportunity to gain experience in every aspect of farm-driven fine dining and luxury hospitality at Blackberry Farm – one of the world’s most celebrated Relais & Châteaux properties, known for its award-winning cuisine, sustainable farming practices and world-class guest experience.

Until his passing in 2016, Sam honored and expanded the vision of his parents, who founded Blackberry in 1976.

About Sam

Sam Beall Fellows: 2018 – 2020

In its original form, the Sam Beall Fellows Program celebrated Sam’s belief in mentorship and the life-changing power of hospitality by awarding fellowships to individuals already working in the culinary and hospitality industries. These fellowships supported immersive learning opportunities at some of the world’s most respected restaurants, hotels, vineyards and artisan producers – mirroring the experiences that shaped Sam’s own career. The program proudly supported and recognized an exceptional group of Fellows who each embodied Sam’s passion for excellence, curiosity and hospitality leadership. The newly reimagined program continues that legacy, now focused on providing emerging CIA students with the same kind of transformative, real-world learning opportunities.

Meet the Sam Beall Fellows classes from 2018 – 2020 below: