Chefs On Bikes Celebrates 5th Ride for Share Our Strength

Washington delivered one of its spectacular weather days and eighty plus chefs and supporters left Bistro Bis this morning after a hearty breakfast hosted by Jeff Buben to hit the road to the Virginia countryside to raise money for Share Our Strength. Led by honorary chairman and co-founder Jean-Philippe Krukowicz and Vidalia chef R.J. Cooper, Chefs on Bikes presented by Fortessa made stops along the way at Fortessa's headquarters in Sterling, Va and Clyde's Willow Creek Farm. Then it was on to Clarke County, where the bikers traveled along the Shenandoah River and visited the historic Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood. This one-day motorcycle rally raises money to help Share Our Strength make sure that no child in America grows up hungry.

Alain and Celeste Borel, owners of L’Auberge Provençale in White Post, hosted a reception at the Villa La Campagnette, the bed-and-breakfast operation that the Borels run along with their restaurant. The post-ride party at the villa a special barbecue contest judged by myself, writer Eve Zibart and Boston chef Andy Husbands. The two winners of the best bike competition came from JJ McDonnell seafood: Steve Vilnit and Barry Angradi (see FOTO).

I met the group at Willow Creek Farm where I found Clyde's VP Tom Meyer manning the barbecue -- with racks of chickens and salmon. Chefs also enjoyed a tour of the gardens maintained by the Clyde's chefs and I saw for the first time the 20,000 bees cared for by the Clyde's team and a beekeeper. The luncheon spread was spectacular ... and the chefs expressed their pleasure with several moments of spontaneous applause for the Clyde's team.