“All Things Culinary” is the inspiration behind The Essex Resort Spa’s current multimillion-dollar renovation.
“When the Essex first opened it was a campus for the New England Culinary Institute. When the school consolidated campuses, we had the unique opportunity to use the kitchens and incredible team of chefs to create a unique hands-on experience for our guests,” Nic Barger, general manager of the property, said. “With our latest renovation we are taking our culinary roots and extending it to our guest rooms and lobby.”
The property is near Burlington in the foothills of Vermont’s Green Mountains and part of the Gemstone Collection of Benchmark. The new lobby will feature a pastry shop-inspired reception desk that even uses cakes and hand-made pastries as decor.
The guest rooms will reflect three culinary concepts: The Art of Baking, Harvest Fresh and Spice Rack. Its two restaurants, Junction and The Tavern, feature dishes using ingredients from the resort’s own gardens, locally sourced proteins and Vermont cheeses and maple syrup.
The resort’s Vermont Farmhouse Kitchen will serve as a place for private dining, cooking classes and other culinary events. Also on-site is the Cook Academy, providing hands-on classes and tours of local farms and vineyards.
“We offer a variety of non-traditional teambuilding experiences,” Barger said. “Groups are also encouraged to explore Vermont through our “Vermont guided tours program.” We have a local partnership that will allow booking for guided brew tours, wine and cheese tours, and experiencing the outdoors through local hikes and golf.”
The culinary theme of the resort means out-of-the-box F&B options for meetings and events.
“If you can dream it we can create it,” Barger explained. “We offer our very own professional ice carving. Our executive director of food and beverage is a former professional ice carver who is able to create custom masterpieces to be displayed at your event.”