Blaine Wetzel, chef and co-owner of the Willows Inn on Lummi Island, denied allegations that his kitchen fails to live up to the ideals he broadcasts to the world. Sarah Letchworth, a former female employee who was 15 when she started working at Willows Inn, said that her male co-workers had a running joke about Lummi Island 16, which meant that you were available for sex, and that any kind of creepy and predatory behavior was fine. She also claimed Wetzel once offered to drive her home from a party when she was 18 but coerced her into doing shots at his house first, then drove her home drunk. fun. And then we learn that his equally talented wife, Chef Daniela Soto-Innes, of Cosme fame, was running the kitchen there. For now I am glad I tried but will not return nor will I recommend to others. I like oysters and think that it shows off the PNW but the rest of the table was so so on that Mary von Krusenstiern, the head farmer, worked on the farm for nine years and has lived in the area her whole life. And we loved it so much, we went back for Taco Monday and then back again for cocktails on our last night on the island. consultant available at all times, but would not confirm when the person was hired. Breathtaking. But it was packed with flavor. A week after the Times report, the Willows sent a statement to its email list saying that the team was saddened that the workplace had caused undue stress; that no sexual harassment had ever been reported to managers; and that its hiring, training and human resources efforts had improved in recent years. The meal was like pitching a no hitter until the 9th inning. Its a generous serving, flavored more like squash medley than pumpkin and the cream and crispy bits of chorizo provide a sweet and savory accent. Thank you. It doesnt conform to many fancy restaurant norms so dont expect them. Some former employees said the Willows is no worse than other top kitchens, where perfectionism is rewarded and fanaticism about ingredients is admired. In March, the Willows agreed to pay $600,000 to settle a class-action lawsuit, after a 2017 federal investigation confirmed accounts of wage theft and other unfair labor practices. Staying in their lodging is pretty much a must. smoked steelhead all of the others courses (that were jammed into a 2 hour seating) were well below expectations. We visited Lummi Island a number of years ago and did not stay at the Inn, but wanted to eat there. Fun and friendly service - even better. The Times spoke to 35 former staff members, including female employees who said they endured constant sexual harassment from male co-workers and female cooks who were repeatedly blocked from promotion. It is magical. Love the midday menu. So, we get to beautiful Lummi Island, drive the winding roads to get to the hotel, check inn, cross the street for a relaxing walk on the beach, and get ready for dinner. The use of smoke onlocally sourced menu items. The staff also seems to be going overboard to show up as excited for guests (and themselves) to be there. The protesters, mostly island residents, were calling for the resignation of Blaine Wetzel, the restaurants chef, who has been accused by 35 former employees of creating a workplace riddled with homophobic and racist language, verbal abuse, sexism and sexual harassment. We mentioned the cod donuts as a previous favorite. Their lodging experience does not equal their food experience and leaves lots of room for improvement, but this is not a lodging review. Eating in the American Archipelago | Saveur A while later he appeared with some freshly crafted crab donuts that were not on that nights menu but that the chef had made special for us. But our faith was broken.. We choose a comfortable couch inside, warmed by real log fire. Crab and bread - HIT, could have a whole one per person, this sharing thing not a fan The Willows Inn the Lummi Island fine dining destination helmed by chef and co-owner Blaine Wetzel that, in recent years, faced numerous allegations of racism, sexual harassment, and wage theft has closed permanently, the Seattle Times reports. Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. A bucket list place to dine. Lummi Island. They treat the community with no respect, she said. One woman in a car said, Yes, and continued into the restaurant. It's not every day you get to eat at an establishment with this level of notoriety for its chef. Each of the many courses was extremely flavorful, fun, and adventuresome. And they stayed silent about it while we all were panicking.. Wild berries , picked by the chef with shiso caramelized white chocolate delicious Lummi Island is quiet, intimate, and uniquely accessible near Bellingham, Washington. The lack of an announcement may stem from the rumored gift of the waterfront property to the local homeless organization, Lighthouse Mission. The delectable prix fixemenu is both seasonal and local fished, foraged, and farmed daily. on a continuous rise as the wine flows and diners raise their voices to be heard. I had to contact the restaurant directly to find out what time they opened and what time dinner started. Smoked mussels- Miss, I know we have a smoked theme going on, and that's the book, but I felt this was really good Saturday market level food Too often I am offered regional foods which are delicately prepared but without thought as to elevating combined flavors to another level. The Willows Inn on Lummi Island offers a selection of premier leased homes and rooms within the immediate vicinity. Willows just does amazing food without the snooty. It looked so simple, but then you put it in your mouth and the flavors explode, making you aware that you are in for a special treat. to deal with our problems, said Anne Treat, 42, who was fired in September 2020 after confronting Mr. Wetzel. Mr. Johnson did not comment for this article, but Mr. Wetzel wrote, Reid Johnson records, reports and acts on every complaint in the workplace in the appropriate manner.. A Foodies dream come true. It does not detract from the food and provides a harmonic sense of balance and whimsy. Anyone that would claim that I dont support female chefs is lying., In addition to an atmosphere of misogyny, the Times also spoke with former employees who claimed verbal bullying was rampant, including the claim that Wetzel would put workers down using a derogatory term for mentally disabled people to disparage them. The sources in the article also say that Wetzel used racist language to describe Latino employees and Asian customers, all claims which Wetzel denied with a similar phrasing to his sexist and sexual harassment refutation: My step mom and brother are Chinese, my wife is Mexican, and anyone that would claim I was racist is lying.. ABSOLUTELY! Award-winning head chef Blaine Wetzel has described his approach to food as a story about the land. If youre intrigued by this tasty tale, make your reservations early and taste the best that Lummi Island has to offer. Mr. Wetzel has publicly humiliated cooks whose work displeased him, often using a derogatory term for mentally disabled people to disparage them. To be clear, they are beautifully made Mexican-inspired dishes. Smoked mussels- Miss, I know we have a smoked theme going on, and that's the book, but I felt this was really good Saturday market level food They said Pacific octopus arrived frozen from Spain and Portugal; wild venison purportedly shot on the island was farm-raised in Idaho; roasted chicken drippings, part of a signature dish, were made in big batches from organic chickens bought at Costco. At age 24, he was fresh off a two-year stint at the vaunted Copenhagen restaurant Noma. Weekly room and board was $10 per week (2021 equivalent of about $275), and visitors flocked from Vancouver and Victoria to the north, and Tacoma and Seattle to the south. The staff had to bring everyone inside, close the windows, and turn up the music to drown out the noise. In March, Mr. Wetzel agreed to pay $600,000 to settle a subsequent class-action lawsuit, brought by 99 employees over various forms of wage theft, including misappropriation of tips and failure to pay overtime or provide rest breaks to employees working 14-hour days. The piece also claims that the carefully cultivated image of local sourcing was false, with items purchased at grocery stores passed off as island-grown ingredients. We spent the night at Willows Inn Willows Inn Lummi Island - Misadventures with Andi Willows Inn "lobby". Onions and mole probably the best tasting onions I have ever eaten. Seven more courses displaying the best of fresh local ingredients and the skills of the cooking staff. Beach House In response, Mr. Wetzel said we never misrepresent our ingredient sources and described how the Willows grows and sources food on the island. You can do that for two days, but you cant do it for two weeks, said Mr. Weymiller, 32. Culinary pilgrims come for multicourse dinners of foraged dandelions, custards infused with roasted birch bark and salmon pulled from Pacific waters they can see from the dining room. High up there with the best we have experienced. The more formal dining area is not open until the dinner hour. Worth every penny, to me. Employees said they were uncomfortable with the lies, but far more troubled by the poisonous work atmosphere. In recent years, the Lummi Island fine dining destination and its chef, Blaine Wetzel, have faced allegations of sexual harassment and racist bullying and paid millions of dollars in settlements for alleged wage theft. And very romantic. Willows Inn property goes on market - Cascadia Daily Just last month, the Willows Inn agreed to settle another class-action lawsuit related to the previous one alleging wage theft this time for more than $1.37 million, the Seattle Times reported. But the atmosphere was nightmarish.. In 2017, after employees reported the Willows to the U.S. Department of Labor, the department found that it had violated federal law by forcing employees to work 14-hour days for as little as $50, and by using stagiaires a French term for culinary interns as free labor. Flackseed thing with coffee -miss and bummer because it was the last thing of the night It can be!More, We choose Lummi island for our October field trip. There's a lot going on so 3 hours went by fast. David Young, an organizer, tacked back and forth in his sailboat in the bay across from the inn, his sails bearing giant red letters that read: Can 35 lie? and Bye bye Blaine and Reid. He said the failures of accountability made public action necessary. Our server was Sarah gave us some tips on things to see on the island and was very attentive with our meal and beverages. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. to share. Experience exquisite dining and lodging at The Willows Inn on Lummi Island. locally sourced menu items. Delicious food and drinks, with local ingredients - delightful. At one point our server inquired about our previous favorites at Willows.