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Tysons Corner Center shoppers can meet award-winning Baltimore chefs David and Tonya Thomas while sampling their food at a special Black History Month event Sunday, Feb. 23.

The married chefs, who founded H3irloom Food Group, will appear at Nordstrom’s Marketplace Cafe from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Guests can learn about their culinary influences and receive complimentary samples of featured dishes.

Nordstrom selected H3irloom to offer distinctive dishes at stores nationwide for Black History Month, according to a Tysons Corner Center spokesperson.

Through March 1, Marketplace Cafe will serve David Thomas’ berbere steak and African fried rice with collard tzatziki. At Nordstrom’s specialty coffee shops and eBars, customers can order Tonya Thomas’ Southern goulash, a dish created as a tribute to her grandmother, Reesie.

David and Tonya Thomas, who have been married for nearly 30 years, established H3irloom in 2020. The catering company highlights the Black food experience and its historical connections to African culture and religious traditions.

The couple also organizes events and recently launched Nostalgia Diner at the Light House Pavilion in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The soul food concept currently operates as a weekend pop-up and is expected to become permanent.

Their previous Baltimore restaurants include Ida B’s Table and Herb & Soul Gastro Café & Lounge. David Thomas won an episode of the Food Network competition series “Chopped” in 2018 before earning the title of “Chopped Grand Champion” and a $50,000 prize in 2020.

More Black History Month events

Fairfax County’s annual Black History Month celebration will be held Friday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, with entertainment and refreshments.

The Fairfax County NAACP will hold a free public celebration Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harvest Assembly Baptist Church, 8008 Fordson Road in Hybla Valley. Fairfax Education Association President Leslie Houston will serve as a guest speaker. The program will also include a gospel concert and light lunch.

Reston Museum will explore Reston’s history as an integrated community founded in 1964, when much of Virginia was still resisting desegregation. The free program, “Reston At The Forefront Of Community Desegregation,” is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center’s Lake Anne facility, 1609-A Washington Plaza North.