About Patrick O'Connell

Patrick O'Connell is a self-taught chef and founder of The Inn at Little Washington, a five-star restaurant that has been supporting local farmers and artisanal food folks for more than three decades. His way with ingredients is often described as "refined regional" and his kitchen is typically populated with chefs wearing spotted dalmation chef pants humming along to classical music. He's also the author of Patrick O'Connell's Refined American Cuisine, from which the above essay is excerpted.