Farm-to-Table Restaurant, Humble Spirit Welcomes Portland Chef Sarah Schafer The accomplished Portland chef brings her community and expertise to the team

McMinnville, Ore. (December 14, 2023) Yamhill County’s regenerative agriculture and hospitality group The Ground, which includes restaurant Humble Spirit and venue Stillwater, is thrilled to announce the addition of Chef Sarah Schafer to the team. As culinary partner and development chef at The Ground, Chef Schafer aims to propel and expand the experiences at Stillwater, catering and events for the organization. 

Chef Schafer—the force behind Portland’s now-closed Irving Street Kitchen and Italian marketplace Cooperativa—brings her unique perspective and experience to Humble Spirit, working with culinary director Brett Uniss and the team to build upon and diversify the culinary program. As a member of The Ground Culinary Crew, Chef Schafer is helping to expand catering, develop more partnerships with producers, and build additional culinary experiences and offerings throughout The Ground. 

“The Ground was developed to welcome new ideas and attract culinary talent with shared values of gracious hospitality and service to all species,” says Culinary Director Uniss. “Chefs like Sarah are crucial for furthering this vision — with her, our voice has grown and we hope to attract others who believe in our story and want to join us on this journey.” 

The Ground and Humble Spirit benefit from Chef Schafer’s intimate connection with the Portland market and culinary scene; her restaurant Irving Street Kitchen, named after Julia Child’s kitchen in Cambridge, was not only an integral part of the Pearl District’s culinary offerings but it's exceptional reputation also contributed to the up and coming Portland food scene for over 10 years. Then, her pandemic-era pivot to the Italian marketplace Cooperativa was a much-needed boon for producers and shoppers alike. And while Chef Schafer helps connect Humble Spirit to the Portland market and community, her move to the Willamette Valley restaurant gives her the opportunity to explore the wine and food that serves the entire region in an intimate and up-close manner. 

“Humble Spirit’s proximity to the source of food and wine allows  me to be tapped-in in a much more invigorating way,” says Chef Schafer. “During the  pandemic, I stepped away. Now I’m back because of this unique and special opportunity to reconnect with agriculture and cook food close to the source. Come visit me in the Valley, Portland!”

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