It’s always fun to find a new spot to grab a taste. Judging by the people entering, I was not the great explorer I like to be. Others knew, and for good reason.

I’m talking about the Gordonsville Deli run by CIA (Culinary Insittute of America)- trained chef, Jonathan Hayward. He has some impressive kitchens in his resume including Charlottesville’s C&O Restaurant and most recently, The Toliver House in Gordonsville. Hayward decided it was time to be on his own, and the Deli concept was born. It’s the go-to place for great soups, salads, and sandwiches, all at reasonable prices.

Hayward believes in sourcing products as locally as possible including pork from Orange’s Papa Weaver, herbs from L’Orange Gardens, and a bounty of microgreens from Planet Earth Diversified. Besides the emphasis on finding local purveyors, Hayward is committed to following the ethos of sustainability with forks made from corn and coffee cups, lids, and holders without wax coating, making them all 100% compostable.

Here’s your chance to support a Virginia-raised chef who believes in finding the most humane products and creating a lunch you”ll be happy to savor. Plenty of outdoor seating to help you relax in the middle of historic downtown Gordonsville.