The Charlottesville 29

If there were just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29?

Tag: Jen Naylor

02/27/2020

Charlottesville 2020 Best Food Truck/Stand: Sussex Farm

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In the food world, standards matter. That may explain why the food from Sussex Farm is so darned good. If it doesn’t meet the high standards of owner Jen Naylor’s discerning palate, you will not find it at the Sussex Farm food stand, which Naylor operates at area farmers’ markets, while selling kimchi and produce from her farm.

Korea native Naylor learned from the best cook she has ever known: her mother, and Naylor insists that her own cooking pales in comparison. That seems hard to imagine after tasting creations like Naylor’s bulgogi slider and her kimchi pancake wrap – a pancake studded with kimchi, folded around bulgogi and greens from her farm, with a drizzle of gochujang sauce.

A hug-addict, Naylor is beloved in the food industry. Top chefs have been known to make cameos in Sussex Farm’s portable kitchen at City Market. Brian Helleberg, owner of Fleurie and Petit Pois, called her food the best thing he ate all year. And, when Prime 109 hosted a food court of our area’s best artisans to celebrate The Charlottesville 29 Restaurant Auctions, they asked Sussex Farm to preside over the grill.

Charlottesville is blessed with many great food trucks and stands. Among them, the winner of the 2020 Best Food Truck/Stand is Sussex Farm.

Through March, you may find Sussex Farm Saturdays at IX Art Park, from 9 am – 1 pm, before resuming at City Market in April.

mamabird

06/01/2018

Five Finds on Friday: Jen Naylor

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Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Jen Naylor, the Korean food wizard of Sussex Farm. Find Sussex Farm’s booth Wednesday afternoons at Farmers in the Park and Saturday mornings at Charlottesville City Market, where Naylor sells produce from the farm, a wide variety of kimchi and Korean sauces, and a cooked-to-order menu of items like bulgogi sliders, kimchi pancake wraps, and japchae. As a longtime market vendor, Naylor made all of her selections from the market. Naylor’s picks:

1) Strawberry Jam by Jam According to Daniel. “I have to say that this jam is simplicity at it’s best! One spoonful brings me back to my childhood, where things were made with simple ingredients and nothing more. It’s great on toast of course or as a pastry filling but my favorite thing to do is to eat it right out of the jar.”

2) Yeast Rolls by Ant On Cottage Creations. “I eat one and can’t stop. It’s soft, light and the smell of the rolls are truly addicting. I love the smell of these rolls so much that I just want to put my face in them! They make perfect breakfast sliders for my Today’s Menu at City Market as well.”

3) Brioche by MarieBette. “I have a very hard time resisting this buttery, melt-in-your-mouth brioche loaf from MarieBette. I get one every Saturday morning at City Market. If I haven’t eaten the whole loaf by Sunday, this brioche makes the most amazing french toast for Sunday breakfast!”

4) Kettle Corn by Freckles ’N’ Friends. “By far the best kettle corn ever! I love kettle corn but after tasting Freckles ’N’ Friends, I became a kettle corn snob. Light, crispy and a perfect touch of flavors and sweetness! An opened bag is soon an empty bag.”

5) LG’s Elixir by Lesly Gourdet. “This amazing juice made with turmeric, fresh ginger, garlic, lemon, lime, black pepper, apple cider vinegar, honey, onion and habanero peppers taste great! It works great as a marinade as well. One shot and you feel healthy already!”

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