<div>Alicia joined Tavola in 2015 as a line cook, worked her way up to the
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<div>position of sous chef and became the executive chef in 2021. Her talent
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<div>and dedication in the kitchen have not only won her recognition in the
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<div>community but also made her a beloved and integral leader at Tavola.
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<div>She was voted Best Chef in C-VILLE Weekly’s 2022 reader’s poll, an
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<div>honor that speaks to both her culinary skills and her generous spirit of community.
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<div><br />
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<div>In early December, Alicia lost her peripheral vision and went straight to UVA
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<div>for treatment where she was diagnosed with a demyelinating disease, a
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<div>condition where the protective covering around nerves in the brain is
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<div>damaged. She is currently in a period of ongoing treatment and testing as
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<div>she has not yet received an official diagnosis. In the coming months, Alicia will be seeking a second opinion at John Hopkins University Hospital and continue to look for 
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<div>strategies to address her condition.
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<div>Alicia is grateful for the incredible support and care from her family, friends, and the
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<div>Tavola community. Your concern and kindness is deeply felt and appreciated. 
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Rachel Mackie

Nima Rezaie

Marilyn Smith

Mary Joy Scala

Philip Smith

Alice Brown

Molly Boylan

Anonymous

Shannon Roadcap

Todd Hunter

Steven Foeppel

Paul Freedman

Lynn Dikolli

Barry & Debbie Bennett

John Shields

Michael Bronez

Raymond Kinder

David Pillar

Medical support for Chef Alicia Simmons

Medical support for Chef Alicia Simmons

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