Small City, Big Stories

Chef Xavier Jones is a culinary entrepreneur, educator, and private chef whose journey from the inner city of Philadelphia to the Berkshires’ vibrant food scene is a testament to the power of resilience, craft, and purpose. Xavier’s introduction to cooking didn’t come through family tradition or gourmet kitchens—it began with survival. Raised in a working-class household, food was often functional. That changed during his senior year of high school, when a teacher in a hospitality program saw promise in his hands and offered a path toward something more. Xavier took the leap, earning a culinary degree from the Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts in Pittsburgh and becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. What followed was a career forged in some of New England’s most respected kitchens, from the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge to executive chef positions across Massachusetts and New York. Along the way, Xavier developed a distinct culinary voice—one that blends classical technique with soulful inventiveness, rooted in seasonal ingredients and inspired by global traditions. Today, Chef Xavier operates several ventures, including BiggDaddy’s Philly Steakhouse and a highly sought-after private chef and catering business serving clients throughout the Berkshires and New York’s Capital Region. His work spans intimate dinners, immersive cooking classes, and large-scale events—each infused with thoughtfulness and precision. Beyond the plate, Xavier is also a mentor, youth advocate, and founder of the XCELL Mentorship Program, which empowers young people through culinary education and life skills training. His leadership style is adaptive and compassionate, shaped by both faith and lived experience and guided by a personal mission: to break generational cycles and build lasting legacies through food, service, and community.

Andrew Fitch is a community leader, entrepreneur, and North Adams evangelist. Through his work as Vice President of the North Adams City Council and co-owner of Steeple City Social, a bakery/bar/community space in Downtown North Adams, Andrew enjoys advocating for the Northern Berkshires and identifying ways to bring the community together and prepare the region for a bright and successful future. In his spare time, Andrew works on his house, helps organize First Friday events, produces public art programs, and fundraises for local non-profits.