A few months ago I had the pleasure of visiting Essex Culinary Resort in Essex, Vermont.* What appeared at first glance to be an unassuming property off a somewhat industrial strip turned out to be a fantastic, and delicious, getaway. It’s a resort-wide focus on food that gives this spot its “culinary” moniker. From the chef’s gardens in the back of the property that provide fresh ingredients to the food artists inside to the variety of cooking and baking classes on site in industrial teaching kitchens. The resort also includes a full service spa pampering guests with everything from haircuts and manicures to massages and facials.
*Note: I visited the Essex before the COVID-19 shutdowns. Before doing any traveling be sure to check in on state rules about sanitation, traveling restrictions, and quarantining.
The Accommodations
The resort itself is a collection of buildings, three of which house guests in well appointed rooms. The room I stayed in offered a mini-fridge, two double beds, a desk/work station, a full bathroom, and tasteful cooking-themed decor. In the main building where the check-in desk is located you can also find a cafe style seating area with free coffee and tea and fresh pastries and sandwiches for sale. This space also provides a fireside reading area and a shop full of culinary-themed items by local chefs and artists, including hot sauce produced by the resort’s top chef!
The Amenities
The spa is available if you’re looking for a good steam or a full-body massage, I personally didn’t utilize the spa so I can’t speak to those services. But I did enjoy the pool area and outdoor hot tub both of which are available to guests daily. The spa building is just a short walk on covered walkways from the guest rooms and there’s a knowledgeable staff on site to provide assistance.
Cooking classes are available multiple times a week, be sure to book early as they’re very popular! I took an Italian cooking class and it was an absolute delight. We made four courses and learned a lot of interesting skills along the way. You can be as hands on (or not) as you want, allowing for cooks of all skill levels to participate. I took my mom as a guest on this trip, she’s a very skilled cook, and we both got a lot out of the class. After the cooking you enjoy the meal and have the opportunity to chat with other guests.
It was still fairly wintry while we visited but I eyed an outdoor fire pit and extensive grounds that would be perfect to enjoy in our current weather!
The Food
There are two restaurants on site at the Essex. The Tavern is the more casual venue providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a sort of sports-bar setting. This spot does have very cute outdoor seating and it’s convenient to have a breakfast option inside the resort, but the menu is a little less inspired than the other spaces in the hotel.
Junction is the fine dining restaurant in the resort and it’s PHENOMENAL. An absolutely wonderful dining experience from service to the innovative creations on the menu. Junction is run by Chef Nicole Lapierre, the Chef de Cuisine, an exceptionally warm and talented culinary artist. She changes the menu seasonally, utilizing fresh ingredients from the garden and blending comfort food with avant-garde pairings. From hors d’oeuvre and cocktails to entrees and desserts, each element of the experience is crafted to perfection.
In the Neighborhood
The Essex is about 20 minutes by car from downtown Burlington, so if you’re craving the hip gallery scene or boutiques of a city you can easily reach them. There are also lots of other dining options in Burlington to mix up your menu during the visit. The Essex does provide a shuttle into downtown Essex, which features some cool second hand shops, but the immediate neighborhood isn’t flush with activities. I did get the fur coat below at Karen’s Kloset in Essex.
To cap off the culinary themed getaway, consider stopping by the King Arthur Flour compound in Norwich on your way in or out of Vermont. They have a store packed with fun cooking and baking tools and a very reasonably priced cafe with soups, sandwiches, and, of course, fresh bread.
This is an ideal location for a true resort getaway, staying on site, relaxing, and enjoying the hotel’s amenities. In a way this may be the ideal first travel experience post COVID-19 shutdown, because you’re not exposed to many different people and places.