Cooking Channel spotlights Richmond - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Central Virginia hits the big time. With so much variety, it's no surprise that Richmond restaurants are being featured in a segment on the Cooking Channel.

Chef and author G. Garvin emphasizes cooking with fresh herbs, and he's now in the second season of his road trip TV show.

He's visiting cities around the nation to show people how to cook fresh food with the right ingredients. What better way than to spotlight an organic herb farm in the Richmond metro area.

Chickens, and organic honey bee hives give Lavender Fields its charm.

It's the rows of organic herbs that have attracted Chef Garvin to the 40 acre farm in Glen Allen. He cooked outside using a variety of herbs, spices, and honey for a skirt steak salad.

"It was exciting because he has a lot of enthusiasm as a professional chef," Lavender Fields Co-Owner, Nicole Schermerhorn. "That fact that he wanted me to cook, I was like oh my gosh you're the chef, but that's what they're doing for this road trip."

During Garvin's stop this summer, he even cooked with chefs at Lamaire in the Jefferson Hotel and Comfort. Whether he's cooking veggies or beef, he learns something new on his journey.

"I go in and my mentality is to ask the questions my viewers want answered," Garvin noted. "So in really I put my chef hat aside. Each experience was different but unique in their own way."

It's the experience and education of using fresh ingredients that inspired Schermerhorn to make her living.

"That's great that someone like him is out there educating the public along with us then telling other people where to go to get your things," Schermerhorn added. "Go to the local farmer. Not even the local farmer's market. Come to the farm."

The inviting nature of Lavender Fields attracted Garvin and his crew here. Most of all, the owner hopes the "Road Trip With G. Garvin" special will inspire others to cook with fresh ingredients.

Garvin would like to take his show all around the county and even the world. He has sights set on D.C., Philly, and even Peru.  

The Richmond segment will air on the Cooking Channel Tuesday August 14 at 9:00 p.m.

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