‘A French Christmas Sampler Repast’ set for December 4

The Ronceverte Public Library’s Third Annual Sampler Meal is inspired by the origin of our town’s name. In 1682, all lands drained by the Mississippi River and its tributaries were claimed by the King of France. The Greenbrier River was originally named Rio De Ronceverte or River of Green Briers. Early explorers designated this area as St. Lawrence Ford, but when the town was laid out by Col. Cecil Clay it was renamed Ronceverte.
The exciting and unique culinary experience is held each year at Kathy King’s lovely Victorian gem, The Edgarton Inn at 305 Walnut Street. Thomas Edgar, a young surveyor who assisted George Washington during his trip through the Alleghenies during the early 1760s, built the original structure. Colonel Cecil C. Clay, who brought the first log drive down the Greenbrier River from Pocahontas County lived in this home. Colonel Best, superintendent of the St. Lawrence Boom & Lumber Company added the Victorian architecture when he resided here in the late 1800s. The stately Victorian dame will be dressed for the holidays adding to the festive ambiance of this fundraiser.
As always many locally raised food products will be showcased in the recipes developed as a collaboration between one of the area’s talented local chefs and event volunteers. This year, Susan and Paul Ciciora will be the featured chefs. They met while attending The Culinary Institute of America in 1990 and luckily for us found their way to Greenbrier County in 1992. Paul has been the senior lead chef at Sam Snead’s of The Greenbrier since 1997. Susan left her position as a pastry chef at The Greenbrier to devote her time to their two children, Cecilia and Stanley, and is currently the owner of Cecilia’s Fine Fashion in Lewisburg. The Cicioras bring a combined 60 years of culinary expertise to this annual feast.
Each year a lovely Sampler Cookbook is produced featuring artwork by well-known local artist and calligrapher Judith Polan. The highly collectible cookbook includes not only recipes but information on the local products, provisioners and interesting tidbits. It is included in the price of the ticket. There are limited copies of past cookbooks available for purchase at Ronceverte Public Library.
Since this is an intimate fine dining experience we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. There will be a luncheon seating from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 and dinner seating from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at Ronceverte Public Library or by calling 304-647-7400. Proceeds from this epicurean adventure will be used toward the day to day operating expenses of the library.