RootsTable opened on July 28, 2026, on the second floor of Ferleman Gallery in downtown Cumberland. We have reached our funding goals, but because restaurants don't generally do well when they open over the holidays and winter, we're waiting until early spring.
RootsTable is a modern American restaurant rooted in Appalachia and oriented toward what comes next. We cook from tradition, not nostalgia—using regional ingredients and time-honored techniques to create contemporary, restrained dishes. Our food reflects stewardship, seasonality, and transformation, shaped by a living landscape and modern producers. This is not revival. It is continuation.
Dr. Thomas Ferleman is the Chef and Visionaries behind RootsTable, and along with his wife Rebecca Ferleman, they also run the Ferleman Gallery and Gallery Stage, where they integrate the arts, live music, and refined dining to strengthen cultural and economic vitality in Western Maryland. Their leadership is recognized for creating sustainable ventures that elevate the region’s profile and attract new opportunities.
We pride ourselves on being self-funded. In fact, neither Ferleman Gallery, Gallery Stage, or RootsTable have never taken any grants, gifts, or donations from any outside source.
At RootsTable, Chef Ferleman and his team draw inspiration from the rich food culture of the Potomac Highlands. Each menu celebrates the region's farms, forests, and traditions through seasonal produce, thoughtfully raised meats, and artisan ingredients, creating a dining experience that is deeply rooted in place while thoughtfully reimagined for today.
Yes. The menu evolves with the seasons to reflect what’s freshest from our farm partners, ensuring every dish is timely, flavorful, and sustainable.
As seasons will allow, we plan to source fresh ingredients from regional farms. We are building partnerships with farms and producers throughout the Potomac Highlands, including fruit orchards, family farms, creameries, breweries, and wineries.
Yes. We are committed to offering thoughtful options for different dietary needs while keeping flavor and authenticity at the center.
At RootsTable, stewardship is our commitment to the land, the people, and the traditions of the Potomac Highlands. Chef Ferleman honors the region's heritage by sourcing from local farmers, ranchers, artisans, and foragers whenever possible, embracing whole-animal butchery and traditional preservation techniques, reducing waste through thoughtful ingredient utilization, and limiting single-use plastics where practical. Our goal is simple: to protect the landscapes that sustain us, strengthen the local economy, and help define a modern cuisine of the region through responsible, regenerative practices.
RootsTable welcome guests into a setting that echoes the gallery’s contemporary-authentic design. On the second floor, dedicated four-top tables and casual lounge seating are surrounded by immersive art exhibits, blending comfort with creativity. Guests can expect warm hospitality, thoughtfully curated décor, a cocktail bar featuring regional craft beverages, and menus that follow the rhythm of the seasons.
Yes. Our space is designed to accommodate private gatherings, receptions, and special dinners. Working alongside Ferleman Gallery and Gallery Stage, we can create custom experiences that unite food, art, and music.
All staff and management live and work locally; we are in-and-of the community creating steady markets for regional farmers and producers. By welcoming both neighbors and visitors, RootsTable enriches the cultural life while strengthening the region’s economy. Beyond the table, our reforestation work has restored thousands of trees on former coal mines in Georges Creek, and through the Right Brain Foundation we support artists and cultural organizations with resources to thrive. Together, these efforts advance sustainability, creativity, and community well-being, ensuring RootsTable stands as both a restaurant and a catalyst for positive change.
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