Going Big with Hospitality: How Neal Wavra Built a Culinary Experience Rooted in Passion & Purpose

Going Big isn’t just about taking risks—it’s about turning your passion into something that impacts others. In this episode of the Going Big! Podcast, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Neal Wavra, a hospitality visionary who took a bold leap to create something extraordinary.

From growing up in Chicago, where family meals were the heartbeat of connection, to working in world-class restaurants like Charlie Trotter’s and Blackberry Farm, Neal always believed that food was more than just sustenance—it was an experience. That belief led him and his wife to open Field & Main, a restaurant dedicated to farm-to-table excellence and fostering community through hospitality.

When COVID threatened the restaurant industry, Neal didn’t retreat—he went bigger, finding new ways to serve guests and sustain his team. Now, he’s shaping the future of Virginia’s wine industry and expanding his impact through Fable Hospitality Group.

This conversation is all about taking risks, following your passion, and going big—in business, in service, and in life.