Acclaimed Chefs Join Viriginia's Luxe Inn at Willow Grove

In addition to the 14 luxury rooms and suites, spectacular “Urban meets Plantation” décor and notable amenities (think personal butler service), guests of the Inn, and locals alike, find themselves wrapped up in the exquisite cuisine at Vintage, the property's 60-seat, Forbes Travel Guide Four Star restaurant and gastropub.

Beginning this month, Executive Chef Scott Meyers is taking the helm at Vintage overseeing a menu he describes as “southern classic infused with modern elements.” Complimenting Chef Meyers' cuisine will be the sweet treats of new Executive Pastry Chef Arnaud Chavigny.

A native of Vermont, Chef Meyers will share his passion for organic, fresh cuisine with a farm-to-fork aesthetic that focuses on sustainable menus utilizing locally sourced products. Chef Meyers' love of natural and from-the-earth cuisine began when he spent his childhood in the Lake Champlain region of the Green Mountain State, where his culinary career began while tinkering in the kitchen with his family.

Pursuing his passion, Chef Meyers went on to graduate from the New England Culinary School and has worked in some of the finest kitchens around the country, including New York City's Gramercy Tavern, Philadelphia's Le Bec Fin and Virginia's L'Auberge Provencale. At The Inn at Willow Grove, Chef will passionately pursue fresh items daily creating menus that will be both elegant and adventurous. Chef's favorite part about taking over the kitchen at the Inn is “the proximity to local farms,” he remarks, “It’s a great setting for the fresh, local menu we will accomplish and share with our guests.”

Chef Meyers' menu will feature a variety of dishes with a strong emphasis on the farm-to-table concept. He will also be experimenting with changing the menu from seasonal to bi-weekly in order to truly reflect what is freshest from local farms. Imagine, for example, enjoying a Cornbread Pain Purdu, with whipped pork fat (an absolute MUST in Chef Meyer’s kitchen), local raspberry preserves and biscuit crumble. Or, delight in a crispy skinned pork belly served with grilled local green onion, shaved beet, and bacon jus. Menu items may be paired with wines from the Restaurant's Wine Spectator award-winning wine list.

The finale of each meal will come courtesy of Executive Pastry Chef Arnaud Chavigny. A native of France, Chef Chavigny began his formal training as a pastry chef at the age of 16 and has worked in the kitchens of five-star properties and restaurants in his native country and throughout Europe. In 2008 he joined the pastry team at New York City's Daniel under the guidance of Dominique Ansel and in 2010 he was promoted to Executive Pastry Chef at Café Boulud in Palm Beach, Florida.

A sampling of his delicacies at The Inn at Willow Grove includes Virginia peach melba with raspberry financier, milk chocolate mousse with apricot paper, and a daily “Crème Brulee of the Day” interpretation of the classic, with such creative flavors as blackberry with sage and pistachio.In addition to world-class dining and accommodations, guests of the Inn also have access to The Smokehouse Spa offering a variety of body treatments, as well as the Salon, the Library, and an extensive garden with reflecting pools, ponds and outdoor fire pits. A concierge butler services individual requests and itinerary planning, as well as delivering morning coffee and beignets and nightly hot tea and sweet turn downs.

Two distinct event spaces, the Hall, accommodating 50, and the Barn for up to 150 host large parties, weddings and small corporate retreats.

The Inn at Willow Grove is located in beautiful Orange, Virginia just a few short hours by car from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Richmond and Philadelphia. Charlottesville Airport is located 45 minutes from the Inn.

Nearby activities include wine tastings at top local vineyards, antiquing, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, hiking, fishing, steeplechase races and tours of historic sites.

Rates range from $295 to $695 on weekends and holidays, with special rates and dining menus available mid-week.

Visit website: www.innatwillowgrove.com