Image courtesy of Inn at Little Washington
Patty O's Cafe in Washington, Va., is the site for a special evening honoring culinary icons.
The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Va., will hold a special evening Aug. 18 honoring four of the most influential American culinary pioneers of all time: James Beard, Julia Child, Craig Claiborne and Edna Lewis.
The event is about an hour-and-a-half drive from Alexandria.
The event includes a cocktail reception beginning at 6 p.m. in the colonial ballroom with canapes inspired by the pioneers and remarks from Chef Patrick O'Connell. Afterwards, you will be invited to an intimate 4+ course dinner beginning at 7 p.m. at Patty O’s Café as Chef O'Connell channels the cuisine of the honorees.
Chef O’Connell and his acclaimed culinary team have crafted a menu that pays homage to these trailblazers, weaving their unique journeys into every dish. The 4+ course meal accompanied by select wines, and a Lilliputian quartet of desserts. This is a rare opportunity to taste history and honor the chefs who shaped the way we eat.
Here's more about the evening's honorees:
James Beard
James Beard was a chef, cookbook author, teacher and television personality. He pioneered television cooking shows, taught at The James Beard Cooking School in New York City and Seaside, Oregon, and lectured widely. He emphasized American cooking, prepared with fresh and wholesome American ingredients, to a country just becoming aware of its own culinary heritage. Beard taught and mentored generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts. He published more than twenty books, and his memory is honored by his foundation's annual James Beard Awards.
Julia Child
Julia Child was an American chef, author, and television personality. She is recognized for having brought French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her subsequent television programs, the most notable of which was The French Chef, which premiered in 1963.
Julia celebrated her 80th Birthday at The Inn. Most recently, an exhibit in her honor was featured at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, also featuring Patrick O'Connell. Room #1 in the Main Inn was named in her honor.
Craig Claiborne
Craig Claiborne was an American restaurant critic, food journalist and book author. A long-time food editor and restaurant critic for The New York Times, he was also the author of numerous cookbooks and an autobiography. Over the course of his career, he made many contributions to gastronomy and food writing in the United States.
Craig Claiborne visited the Inn at Little Washington numerous times and its presidential cottage "The Craig Claiborne House" was named in his honor.
Edna Lewis
Edna Lewis was a renowned American chef, teacher, and author who helped refine the American view of Southern cooking. She championed the use of fresh, in season ingredients and characterized Southern food as fried chicken (pan-, not deep-fried), pork, and fresh vegetables – most especially greens. She wrote and co-wrote four books which covered Southern cooking and life in a small community of freed slaves and their descendants.
The Fried Chicken served during the summer months at Patty O's Café was inspired by her iconic recipe and Room #3 in the Main Inn was named in her honor.
Seating is limited for this intimate evening. Reservations for the dinner and reception will sell quickly. As a reminder, all overnight guests are guaranteed reservations to the event. Should reservations for the dinner become fully committed, please join a waitlist online or call the reservations team to explore your options to attend.
To reserve, call 540-675-3800 or reserve online.
