Our History and Our Mission

Seasonal Cook is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and has been Outfitting the Gourmet since 1999. Our original store opened at 218 W. Water Street on April 17, 1999 by owners Jean Knorr and Roger Rust. Jean and Roger worked in the corporate world for over 25 years and upon retiring they decided to start a second and fun career. As Seasonal Cook's ever popular cooking classes and useful kitchen items, advice, friendly owners and staff became more in demand, it was apparent Seasonal Cook would outgrow our first location. In early 2000 we moved to our present address 416 W. Main Street in the front of The Main Street Market in Midtown Charlottesville with almost 2,000 square feet of space. Classes continued to grow in popularity along with our ever changing seasonal gourmet products.

In 2008 Jean and Roger decided they were finally ready to retire, again, and sold the store in 2009 to their one and only manager of 2 ½ years Eleanor VonAchen. She and her husband Doug VonAchen co-own the store and go all out to continue what Jean and Roger have started. Eleanor, originally from New Orleans, was in the culinary industry for more than 12 years before going into the retail business when she relocated to Charlottesville after evacuating for hurricane Katrina. Doug, born and raised in Charlottesville, has been studying the culinary arts for more than 20 years. Together they bring not only their combined 30 plus years of culinary experience, but their small town southern charm.

 

Our mission is to help uncover the Chef in everyone, because everyone has a Chef in them just waiting to emerge. Doug, Eleanor, their knowledgeable staff and in house chefs are always happy to answer your cooking questions and help you through any cooking dilemma. Seasonal Cook has always kept up with the trends to bring our customers the newest and hottest products and cooking techniques available. Seasonal Cook is a family owned and operated business and we take pride in knowing our customers and our products to better serve them. So stop on in and say hello. We're always glad to see you and always happy to help.