San Juan Island’s Lakedale Resort Expands Glamping Cottages and 2016 Gourmet Chef Series

Two years ago we took a ferry from Anacortes, Washington to beautiful San Juan Island and experienced camping like we’d never done before. Glamping is gourmet camping, or, as I like to think of it, an ever so civilized way of experiencing the great outdoors. Think posh canvas tents complete with cozy beds and hot water bottles for your feet, cooking a gourmet meal over a campfire with renowned Pacific Northwest chefs, sipping fine local wines expertly paired to your meal. Yeah, it’s roughing it all right. (Read all about our fabulous trip here).

Just in time for summer, Lakedale Resort - San Juan Island’s premier glampground - unveils six new canvas tents and their 2016 Gourmet Glamping chef series featuring chefs Brian Clevenger of Vendemmia and Ericka Burke of Volunteer Park Café and Chop Shop.
 
Taking place on June 11 and July 16, each intimate and fun-filled evening combines camping in style with the great outdoors featuring accommodations in one of Lakedale’s fully furnished, lavish canvas cabins and cottages.

Glampers will spend a memorable Saturday evening drinking Washington state wine outside the canvas cabins, complete with pillow-top beds, linens and Lakedale’s signature Toasty Toes turndown service. Each featured chef will share a brief overview of the dinner, engage the diners in a hands-on cooking experience, and serve a multi-course menu with wine parings selected by regional winemakers.

The 2016 Gourmet Glamping lineup includes:

Saturday, June 11: Executive Chef Brian Clevenger, Vendemmia, Desert Wind Winery and Duck Pond Cellars
Growing up in the coastal town of Anacortes, Wash., Chef Brian’s appreciation for local seafood and produce came early. This certainly shows in his approach to achieving refined simplicity in both food and service. Clevenger received an A.A. in culinary arts and his bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. Prior to opening Vendemmia, he had worked and learned in a Two Michelin Star restaurant in France, the James Beard Award-winning Delfina in San Francisco and most recently as chef at two Ethan Stowell Restaurants: Staple & Fancy Mercantile and Tavolàta.

Saturday, July 16: Chef Ericka Burke, Volunteer Park Café, Chop Shop and Cougar Crest Winery
For Chef Ericka Burke, cooking has always been about creating community, providing simple, fresh, seasonal food and a place to replenish, relax and converse. And that is exactly what she’s done at her beloved Volunteer Park Café, which opened in Seattle in 2007, and more recently at Chop Shop Cafe & Bar. Burke is committed to supporting local farmers and artisans and creating seasonal comfort food, house-made pastries and mercantile goodies that have earned her devoted fans and acclaim both locally and nationally.

All Lakedale guests are invited to enjoy the Gourmet Glamping series. Each gourmet glamping guest is invited to participate in the hands-on cooking experience along with one-on-one interaction with top chefs in the Northwest. Tickets include a multi-course meal with wine pairings. Gourmet Glamping tickets are $75 per person (must be 21 and over) in addition to your accommodation rate. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 800-617-2267 or visit www.lakedale.com.
 
Here’s sneak peak at Chef Brian Clevenger’s menu: