Celebrity Chef Tour 2014…Eggleston, Virginia

I think it’s kind of the running joke with the folks that head up the annual Celebrity Chef Tour.  You see, this tour crosses the country, from places like San Francisco, to Maui, to New York City, Chicago…and Eggleston, Virginia.  That’s right, Eggleston, Virginia.  The tiniest town you’ve never heard of, and yet, this town sells out of tickets not just ONE night, but TWO.

Take that, Chicago.

How a town, devoid of any real business other than the Post Office and a charming, top notch restaurant can garner such attendance speaks volumes.  Especially about the restaurant.

The Palisades is a wonderful, quaint, incredibly well received restaurant, with an equally fantastic owner.  Shaena Muldoon has taken an old hardware store, and despite the bizarre idea to put such a restaurant MILES from potential diners, has succeeded, and succeeded, and well, just succeeded.

We are such fans that when I am home, we eat there at least once per week, and I’d likely eat there more often if I thought I could get away with it.  I just love the atmosphere, Shaena’s friendship, the chefs, the menu…it’s all perfection.

So why NOT have the Celebrity Chef Tour here?  It works.  It totally works.

This was my first year attending, and let me tell you kids…it was a game changer for me. 

Imagine seven of the best culinary geniuses in one location, each preparing their own creation, and yet behind the scenes?  They were working like a team.  Lending hands to other chefs when it came time to plate.  Chopping for one another. Sautéing for others if they thought it would help.  It was incredible, seeing the way ALL of them worked as a unit.  There were no egos, no one was any better than anyone else.  They had fun, they laughed.  They succeeded in pulling off a delectable feast, full of smiles and new friendships.

I am so honored I was invited behind the scenes.  These are the moments I treasure most in this line of work…seeing what it takes to make things happen.  And this time?

Humbled.  Humbled beyond words.

Okay, deep breath.

The chefs.  The chefs came from far and wide.  Chefs Kevin and Devin both hail from The Palisades, Kevin as the Executive Chef, and Devin as the Pastry Chef.  Never once did I see either of them being anything but gracious hosts, all the while sharing THEIR kitchen with a huge group of chefs who are used to their own space.  Chef Emmanuel Delcour came from the farthest away – California.  He’s a private chef there, and focuses on healthy eating, fresh and flavorful.  The man can cook, for sure…and isn’t one bit bad to look at, either.  Chefs Ed Bloodworth, Blake Hartwick, and Jay Pierce all made the trek from North Carolina, and Aaron Deal joined us from Roanoke.

Seven amazing chefs, all in one place.  All on their own time, all with a mission.  The joint effort to knock our socks off with a locally inspired menu the likes of which we weren’t soon to repeat.

So the menu.  Like I said – inventive and delicious.  But I have to choose a couple of favorites, and choose I will.

First up – I loved Chef (don’t call him Chef, he says, I am a cook) Aaron Deal and his Crispy Chicken Skin topped with Chicken Liver Mousse and Pickled Spring Onion.  Believe it or not, I even helped plate these appetizers…so I feel sure that made them all the better.

His main course was my favorite of the night as well…this time a goat kielbasa with mushrooms and softly poached egg, topped with a wonderful crispy faro.  The flavor on the plate was out of this world, and the combination of smooth and crunchy set it apart in my mind as the dish of the night.

That, and Aaron is just about as charming a man as you’ll ever meet.

If you are local, or ever have the chance to visit Roanoke, Virginia, you need to visit his restaurant there.  It’s called The River & Rail, and I guarantee you’ll be hard pressed to find a better meal or better environment than in his establishment.

Let’s see…what else made high marks for me?

Oooh, yes. The lamb loin with miso-glazed sweet potatoes, stilton and arugula by Jay Pierce.  Lamb BACON happened here, people. Lamb. Bacon.  The peppery arugula paired like a dream with the sweet potatoes, and the entire dish sang. Truly.  Chef Pierce is also a charmer – big laugher, big storyteller, big personality…you just love him from the minute he speaks.

Okay, I’ll choose a third.  Pork Belly.  My heart has yet to meet a pork belly it didn’t love, and the belly prepared by Chef Blake was a stunner.  It had a reduced Cheerwine on the plate.  Cheerwine!  Blake was so reserved, quiet, and focused behind the scenes.  I loved seeing the differences in all of the chefs, and yet, the way they all worked together was like they’d been doing it for years.

Gosh, I am a gusher today, no?

I just can’t help it! I am a sucker for people who know their business and do it well.  These chefs?  They do it well.  So, so well.

I’ll leave you with a few more photos of the event…and next year, you’ll know to grab your tickets when they go on sale, won’t you?!

Have a great day, everyone!