Chef King�s cuisine is receiving rave reviews from guests � not surprising given his pedigree � he was previously the chef at the Five Star, Five Diamond Woodlands Resort, has cooked at the Inn at Little Washington, The French Laundry, at prestigious restaurants in Europe, and for Julia Child.  Guests at Goodstone have been so enthusiastic about his cuisine that they�ve asked to be kept current on what�s new in the kitchen and in the dining room. 

Tarver King�s blog enables him to personally build a relationship with his guests, sharing details of the menus he�s creating, discussing special dishes he�s particularly enthralled with, and informing guests on what�s in season in Goodstone�s kitchen gardens.  Equally intriguing are the occasional updates King provides on the lambs in the pasture and the gorgeous flock of European chickens in the hen house, which supply the estate with fresh eggs each morning.

Tarver King�s blog is highly informative yet it�s also immensely personal.  The blog is written entirely by Chef King, who serves as the photographer for the images that appear in the blog.  The blog is also an instant hit, receiving over 4000 visits in the first month.

�I love to share what makes cuisine exceptional as much as I love to cook great food,� said Mr. King, �and I never want to be far from our guests.  That�s why I launched my blog � to actively engage with our guests and share intimate details of what goes into developing the food they enjoy when they visit, including the wines we recommend, and why everything about Goodstone Inn is completely unique to our property.� 

Chef Kings concludes with, �Our cuisine is rooted in the terroir of the land making up our 265-acre estate.  The minerals in Goodstone�s soil influence the flavor of the vegetables, herbs and fruit grown here, and produce nutritious grasses that our lambs and other livestock graze on.  The superb wineries nearby produce wine from grapes grown in similar soil conditions -- making a dining experience at Goodstone seamless when paired with some of Virginia�s finest varietals.

Chef King�s blog can be accessed through Goodstone�s website, www.goodstone.com, and by www.goodstoneblog.blogspot.com. 

About Chef Tarver King

Tarver King is the acclaimed young executive chef of Goodstone Inn & Estate.  Originally from Virginia Beach, Chef King has trained with the world�s top chefs and cooked for the revered Julia Child. 

Chef King's approach to creating meals at Goodstone is to involve the guest in a pure and honest exploration of the ingredients and flavors found within the estate.  King explains, "I want to bring what is growing outside on The Goodstone's farm inside to Goodstone�s Table, creating a seamless sensory experience for our guests."

Previous to joining Goodstone Inn & Estate, Tarver King was executive chef at the Five Star, Five Diamond Woodlands Resort & Inn of Summerville, South Carolina.  He has also previously served as chef de partie at the famed Inn at Little Washington, the Five Star, Five Diamond property located in Washington, Virginia, where he was mentored by renowned chef Patrick O'Connell. 

Chef King has cooked at Roy Yamaguchi and Le Bec Fin, both of Philadelphia, and under the acclaimed Thomas Keller at The French Laundry, the Three Michelin Star restaurant located in Napa Valley.  In Europe, he has cooked for The Fat Duck, at the time the world's most revered restaurant, and the Three Michelin Star Waterside Inn, both of Bray, England.  King began his remarkable culinary career in his hometown of Virginia Beach, working with the Three Michelin Star chef Alain Jackmin at Le Chambord. 

Tarver King started cooking at the age of 15, inspired by his grandmother's culinary passions and by the late Julia Child, for whom he later had the privilege to cook.  Mr. King has been hailed as a "Chef to Watch" by both The Wine Spectator magazine and Esquire. 
About Middleburg, Virginia

About Goodstone Inn & Estate

Goodstone Inn & Estate, a luxurious country retreat in Middleburg, Virginia, is situated in the heart of the state's renowned Hunt & Wine Country, less than an hour from Washington, DC and 40 minutes from Dulles International Airport www.metwashairports.com/Dulles.  The historic property features five star-quality lodging in six distinctive dwellings, including the main building - the elegantly converted Carriage House, The Dutch Cottage, The Manor House, French Farm Cottage, Spring House and the newly opened Bull Barn Suite.

The restaurant at Goodstone Inn & Estate provides superb cuisine and attentive service.  An impressive wine cellar dining room features an extensive selection of vintages from Virginia and around the world, and a large, exquisite Virginia Hunt Scene Mural commissioned by Goodstone Inn.  The scene captures an equestrian moment of the storied Annual Middleburg Hunt, which takes place on the estate.

Wireless Internet access is available throughout the premises. Recreational opportunities abound, including a unique outdoor pool nestled within the Wisteria and ivy-covered stone wall ruins of the estate's original mansion, an all-season Jacuzzi, walking and hiking trails, mountain biking, stables for boarding guest' horses, canoeing, in-room spa treatments, and superb shopping, antiquing, and dining opportunities in beautiful and historic Middleburg, Virginia. 

In season, noted equestrian activities include the Middleburg Spring Race Meet at nearby Glenwood Park (April), the Virginia Gold Cup and International Gold Cup at Great Meadow (Spring and Fall), and the annual Middleburg Hunt (December), which proceeds directly through the estate.

Middleburg�s charming streets are lined, literally, with history-- more than 145 of its buildings are on the National Historic Register.  The town�s name comes from its location along the Ashby Gap Trade Route which today is Route 50 (John S. Mosby Highway).  Located a day�s coach ride from both Alexandria and Winchester, Virginia, it became known as �Middle Burg�. 

Middleburg was involved in the nation�s Civil War as troops from both Union and Confederate armies camped and skirmished here on their way to Gettysburg.

In the 20th Century, President and Mrs. Kennedy rented a farm in Middleburg as a presidential retreat. Jackie Kennedy, an accomplished equestrian, rode with the Piedmont Fox Hounds and Orange County Hunts, and visited the area frequently in later years. 

Today Middleburg is the center of Virginia�s hunt and wine country, and features superb shopping, antiquing, and dining opportunities.

Goodstone Inn offers the charming ambiance of an 18th century country estate with the convenience, luxury and service expected by 21st century guests.  For more information on Goodstone Inn & Estate or to make reservations, please call 540-687-4645 / 877- 219-4663 or visit www.Goodstone.com. 

Goodstone Inn & Estate is recommended by the Conde Nast Johansens guides www.johansens.com, and is a member of the prestigious Andrew Harper Q Club www.andrewharper.com and "Small Luxury Hotels of the World" collection www.slh.com. 
 

Ken Ellens
Ken Ellens Communications
201-758-2864  /  201-758-2865-Fax
[email protected]