Chef Holding Tomatoes

PARTNERS and the 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.

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.

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

Apply Here

Fellows will rotate through key areas of Blackberry Farm’s operations, including:

  1. The Kitchen
    • Training alongside award-winning chefs to refine culinary techniques.
  2. The Wine Cellar
    • Assisting expert sommeliers and learning about one of the largest wine collections in the country.
  1. The Farm and Gardens
    • Gaining first-hand experience in sustainable farming, gardening, and artisanal cheesemaking.
  2. Dining and Hospitality
    • Learning the art of fine dining service and luxury guest experience.