As we celebrate turning 50 this year, we are reflecting on all the wonderful partnerships we’ve formed over the years. Some old, some new…. Each of them is important and special in their own way. Three years ago, we met with Kendra Feather, owner of three fabulous Richmond restaurants, The Roosevelt, Garnett’s Café, and Laura Lee’s, to ask for advice on creating “Crab Cake Week”. Kendra was immediately supportive and enthusiastic, and a new partnership materialized. The circumstances of 2020 and 2021 threw a wrench into our plans to host subsequent “Crab Cake Week” events, but nonetheless, our partnership with Kendra continues to blossom. 

Last night, Alliance board member, Jenn Jackson and I joined The Roosevelt as they celebrated their 10th Anniversary by hosting an amazing three-course Prix Fixe dinner, benefiting the Alliance. Each course was artfully crafted to showcase local ingredients and tastes of fall in Virginia. The sommelier paired a selection of Virginia wines with each course that beautifully punctuated their flavors. Over 40 guests of the event enjoyed dishes ranging from local oysters, stuffed quail, and soft shell crab to honey roasted persimmon and paw paw ice cream.

The meal was a wonderful reminder of the vast culinary resource that the Chesapeake Bay watershed provides. As we noted last night, enjoying these bountiful local foods is only possible if we care for and protect our environment. It is just one of the ways that we are rewarded many times over for being good stewards of our lands and waters.

We are so grateful for our partnership with Kendra. The Alliance’s work to restore and protect the rivers throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed simply can’t be done without these relationships and the support from individuals like her. Thanks to Kendra and her team for a wonderful celebration and an exquisite meal that inspires action from all of us to protect the Chesapeake Bay.