Chef Shake Up at Goodstone

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, September 14th, 2009

The powers that be at the Goodstone Inn have confirmed that chef Tarver King has stepped down, paving the way for yet another regime change at the troubled Middleburg estate.

King’s departure caps a string of high-profile defections from the tumultuous property, including general manager Simon Smith (left September 1) and sommelier Neal Wavra (decamped in July). And many online gawkers had nervously been waiting for the final shoe to drop.

A Goodstone spokesperson said William J. Walden–a French cooking vet who spent several years at L’Auberge Chez Francois before branching out on his own with La Fleur de Lis (now defunct) in Lovettsville–will slide behind the burners effective immediately.

The spokesperson added that Goodstone owner Mark Betts is hoping to broaden the restaurant’s base by adopting a la carte offerings (Goodstone had adhered to a tasting menu format under King and his predecessor, the Wine Kitchen’s Christopher Carey) and instituting a Sunday brunch option.

“I think he [Betts] thinks locals think it’s too expensive,” the Goodstone spokesperson said of the latest dining overhaul.

No word on whether King plans to remain in the area.

–Warren

Tags: Christopher Carey, Goodstone Inn, Gut Check, Mark Betts, Northern Virginia Magazine, restaurants, Tarver King, Warren Rojas, William Walden