Local chef earns James Beard Award nod with unique farm-to-table model

Executive Chef Taylor Montgomery, who operates Montgomery Sky Farm in Leicester, North Carolina, has been nominated for the James Beard Award in the Best Chef: Southeast category. The 50-acre regenerative farm, located about 20 minutes northwest of Asheville, blends diversified farming with culinary experiences, offering diners a connection to heritage crops and sustainable agriculture. Since 2018, Montgomery and his wife, Fran, have expanded the farm into a hub for farm-to-table dining, including harvest-driven barn dinners. The farm grows produce and sources ingredients on-site, emphasizing rare livestock and crops lost to industrial farming. Taylor Montgomery left traditional restaurant work in 2024 to focus on the farm, which also supports Final Run Rescue, a nonprofit rehabilitating livestock. Montgomery Sky Farm’s work extends beyond dining, as documented in *The Soil Remembers*, a James Beard-nominated film showcasing the farm’s operations and its role in serving 15,000 meals after Tropical Storm Helene devastated Western North Carolina in late 2024. The Montgomerys described the relief effort as challenging but meaningful, highlighting the farm’s commitment to community support. The farm’s nomination reflects its innovative approach to food and sustainability, blending agriculture, education, and hospitality. The James Beard Awards ceremony, where Montgomery will be recognized, will take place on June 15 in Chicago. Alongside the Montgomerys, Asheville’s Chai Pani founders, Chef Meherwan and Molly Irani, are also nominated in the Outstanding Restaurateur category.