Last week, I was privileged to interview both the Executive Chef and
the Executive Pastry Chef at The Greenbrier in regards to the upcoming
Weekend with Santa events.
I cannot tell you how informative and interesting both of these culinary
heavy hitters were! I feel very honored that they took the time to speak with me.
And I am excited to share with you some of what they spoke with me about as well as
give you a peek into what they have planned for the Dinner in Whoville
that will take place during these special holiday weekends in
December!
First, I sat down with Executive Chef, Bryan Skelding.
This culinary veteran with 30 years of experience strives to meet the high
expectations of the guests at the Greenbrier daily, however, he loves
a theme and so turning him and his team loose with a Dinner in
Whoville allows his experience and creativity to shine!
Having 2 young daughters himself, Chef Skelding has that unique insight in creating
a family-friendly menu that will please the palates of moms and dads
as well as bring a smile to the faces of the little ones experiencing
these magical weekends at America’s Resort. Quality and consistency are
the names of the game for the Whoville dinner plan. This is what Chef
Skelding refers to as a “strolling dinner” and if you are the first
reservation to be seated or the last, the goal is for every family to
have that whimsical high-quality experience no matter their seating
time. This just speaks to why he is the Executive Chef at The
Greenbrier. Being a destination that prides itself in high-end quality
and amazing experience, Chef Skelding perfectly compliments this high
standard with ease.
Getting a chance to speak with this talented chef, I had some
personal questions as well. Being a foodie my curiosity got the best
of me.
I asked Chef Skelding his favorite cuisine to prepare and eat.
His answers were both contradictory and unexpected.
His first choice of cuisine is Japanese.
Being light refreshing, and having small courses of the
highest quality ingredients is what draws him to this style of
cooking. And on the other end of the spectrum, his other favorite
is a southern classic.
I love that these are so different. What does
he love about southern cuisine? His exact quote, “Fat is Flavor.”
Indeed Chef Skelding, indeed.
Now that we have an idea of the mind behind the Dinner at Whoville
celebration, I couldn’t help but talk to the man behind the sweet
treats that will wrap up this holiday meal and that is Executive
Pastry Chef Jean-Francios Suteau.
Chef Suteau comes from a French family with a history of patisserie dating back
as early as 1752, his list of accolades is impossible to name.
But I must mention among all the awards and honors he has achieved in
the realm of pastry, I was most excited that he was featured on Best
Baker in America on Food Network as a finalist!
Being a big fan of many Food Network chefs, this was a
particular delight! I asked the animated and smiley Chef Suteau for
some “fun facts” about himself… He told me that there is a rule in his
home that he does not make dessert! He prepares the meals for his
family, but his wife, also a decorated Pastry Chef is always on
dessert duty at home! And Chef Suteau told me that of all the sweets
and treats he has experienced with, his favorite is a
traditional French-style Napoleon dessert. A taste of home so to speak
for him.
While themes that lock him into a particular style of baking are not
his particular favorite, he prefers the arena to be creative and
experiment with his skills. Not only is he a champion of pastry, he is
also named U.S. Chocolate Master. Are you drooling yet?
You can thank Chef Suteau for the stunningly detailed chocolate villages and
sculptures around The Greenbrier during the holidays and giant
whimsical eggs, bunnies, chicks, and spring decorations made of the
same around the Easter holidays! Preparation for these types of events
and special displays begin up to 3 months in advance and require all
hands-on deck of his team of 30-35 assistants! This team will be
responsible for various Grinch desserts as well as some traditional
holiday sweet offerings during the Dinner at Whoville celebrations and
I simply cannot wait to see their translation of this Who-ish theme
into sweets!
It was such a delight and amazing honor to meet two such talented
chefs. Their daily contribution to the amazing experience at The
Greenbrier is unparalleled! Their expertise is on hand for Dinner in
Whoville is something that I am so excited to see translated into
food! As just one of the elements they are bringing to the Weekends
with Santa, this specialty-themed dinner is sure to delight all that
attend and will most definitely be something not to forget! I cannot
wait to sink my teeth into some roast “beast” and Grinch cookies! And
I know the families attending this event will be overwhelmed with The
Who spirit of Christmas!
Dinner in Whoville will be part of our Weekend with Santa offerings
for Registered Overnight Guests ONLY.
Pricing
$95 per adult
$55 per child (ages 4-12) Children under 4 are complimentary with a paying adult
Gratuity, tax, and Historic Preservation Fund are additional.
The $100 per room per night credit In the Travel with Carie/Weekend
with Santa Package can be applied to the cost of this special meal.
