Justin Burke-Samson, left, appeared on ‘Beat Bobby Flay’

April 2. Justin Burke-Samson, the former executive pastry chef at Kindred Restaurant in Davidson and Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, has been named market manager at the Davidson Farmer’s Market, which opens for its 11th season this Saturday.

He replaces Abby Wyatt who moved on to a job with Mecklenburg County.

Burke-Samson got his start in professional cooking in Boston a decade ago, landing on national TV shows and managing the Copley Square Farmer’s Market before making a splash in Davidson at Kindred which opened in 2015. He credits owners Joe and Katy Kindred with having a fresh new approach from food to culture both in the front of the house and in the kitchen.

“I am thrilled to continue working in Davidson and with the farmer’s market, I love this town and have loved being a part of it for the past four years,” says Burke-Samson.

The Davidson market is a local, growers-only market which means all items sold are grown and produced within 100 miles of Davidson by the vendor. Burke-Samson will work with vendors in a new capacity and work closely with the Town of Davidson.

As well as a new market manager, several new produce and bakery vendors will also be joining the market this season with a variety of produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, organic and specialty food items.