Popular North Fork Chef Launches New Farm Stand With Family

SOUTHOLD, NY — Jess Dunne, a well-known North Fork chef, opened the door to her next chapter Friday as she launched a new farm stand in Southold with a front-and-center focus on family.

On Friday, Dunne — a co-founder of the North Fork Roasting Co. who was a contestant on Chopped — and her mother-in-law Candice Schott marked the opening of North Fork Provisions, their new farm stand, located on Main Bayview Road at Dart's Tree Farm.

Schott, Dunne said, ran North Fork Provisions as a delivery business first; the farm stand is the first place to find all the offerings in one place. When the farm stand was first listed for rent, Schott and her mother both texted Dunne at the same.

"'Let's go look at it!'" Dunne told them.

Dunne, who grew up literally across the street from where the new business is located, said the farm stand epitomizes not just a new chapter but a celebration of family.

Dunne's baby Nova Rae was born premature and her journey — including the many months filled with uncertainty and fear she and Christian Schott, Nova Rae's father, spent in the neonatal intensive care unit— opened her eyes to the things that truly matter in life, she said.

The time was right for the new venture, Dunne said. "I wanted to get back into something. I love being home with my daughter but I thrive off of staying busy. I wanted to choose something where she could be with me."

The farm stand, Dunne said, will be filled to the proverbial brim with North Fork goodness, including vegetables from the Jamesport Farmstand, flower bouquets made by Betsy Liegey of the Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. — down the line, Dunne hopes to host a bouquet-making workshop — and basically, everything a person would need to make a meal for dinner that night. Choices include an array of cheeses, Peconic Gold Oysters, and snails by Taylor Knapp — a "fun gift" idea that comes with recipe cards — as well as pastries, iced tea, and cold-brewed coffee.

Dunne rented a kitchen on Cox Lane where she'll prepare to-go options including hummus, pesto, and sandwiches; she's also planning picnic baskets to go, for people to bring to the beach or to wineries on quintessential North Fork summer days.

Future offerings will be based on customer feedback and needs, she said. "I think we're off to a nice start," Dunne said.

Reflecting on her new path, Dunne said: "I honestly feel as though the universe knew I needed a reset. I was abusing my body with the amount I was working in the past; it became not enjoyable."

And, she added, the joy of simple pleasures with her family changed everything: "I'm so lucky that I found Christian, and that our baby Nova Rae is here. I just have different priorities now — and that includes enjoying what I do, and not trying to please everyone. I want to be happy and not stressed all the time."

Her baby wrapped in her arms, Dunne said after the NICU, "I want to be with her constantly."

The farm stand will be a wonderful place for her daughter to grow up, she said.

Both her family's and Christian's have deep roots on the North Fork, she said, and the farm stand is a reflection of all that they love about the area.

Down the line, dinners set out on long farm tables are an idea, Dunne said.

With tables and umbrellas outside, Dunne said: "We want to create a space for people to come and hang out. Creating a community space, that's one of the things I love to do."

North Fork Provisions will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Memorial Day and daily all summer.