After recently closing a community survey, Virginia Tech’s Reynolds Homestead in Critz, Virginia, is moving into the next phase of planning as it undertakes an expansion project to build a 1,500-square-foot community kitchen.  

“The community kitchen has a three-pronged mission. It will serve as a teaching kitchen, a certified kitchen utilized by entrepreneurs interested in developing a food-based business, and as a catering kitchen for events held at the Reynolds Homestead,” said Julie Walters Steele, director of the Reynolds Homestead. “Food truck owners and caterers may also be interested in using the kitchen.”

Artist's rendering of the interior of the kitchen includes the view from the front station looking out toward a wall of windows and several other work stations.

The Richard S. Reynolds and Virginia S. Reynolds foundations have donated $800,000 to help fund the project. The Reynolds Homestead is seeking local donations to provide additional funds needed for the construction costs.

Dewberry architects and engineers have completed a design that includes a food preparation area with commercial kitchen equipment, a demonstration cooking station and eight teaching stations. Each station features a range, refrigerated cabinet, handwash and rinsing sinks and kitchen wares.

Patrick & Henry Community College plans to offer culinary classes in the kitchen, and the Reynolds Homestead, which hosts more than 40 food events annually, will use the space for catering on-site and off-site programs. With the expansion off the Community Engagement Centernter, the homestead hopes to host larger events, offering in-house catering as well as place settings, linens and other items for those renting the facility. 

The demonstration station will allow students to gather around an instructor for presentations of different cooking and preserving methods. The Patrick County Virginia Cooperative Extension staff will use this area for conducting classes to teach patrons how to prepare and preserve food from their gardens and local farmers markets.

The Reynolds Homestead will also use the demonstration table to raise revenue to support the culinary program. In an intimate 12-seat arrangement, patrons will have an opportunity to observe a local chef preparing and serving them a delectable meal.

Entrepreneurs interested in starting a food-based business will have access to the commercial equipment as well as storage space for their supplies as they work to prototype a product and test its marketability. This provides an opportunity for individuals to establish their product in the market before investing in a production kitchen of their own. The kitchen will also be available for catering and food truck operations.

The expanded kitchen will house industrial equipment and storage space for food, tables, place settings and other items used in food preparation. The kitchen expansion will benefit those planning weddings and other celebration events and civic groups preparing food for fundraising events or community meals. 

Donations may be made online on the Reynolds Homestead website (www.reynoldshomestead.vt.edu) or by mail to Reynolds Homestead, 864 Homestead Lane, Critz, VA 24082. For additional information on how to contribute to this exciting project, please call 276-694-7181.

The Reynolds Homestead serves as a Virginia Tech engagement center in the division of Outreach and International Affairs.