Famed Rappahannock Chef Patrick O’Connell finds where he bel…

And yet, “Being an outcast brought a new sense of freedom. I no longer had to care what anyone thought,” he writes.

Later in life, when he and his partner opened The Inn at Little Washington in 1978, he faced the antagonism of many in the town, especially the establishment types who cherished their small town, hated the idea of change and were not ready for the world of Patrick O’Connell.

They were not ready for the instant success of the restaurant, which drew the most positive reviews from critics – first in Washington and then New York.

And of course, there was the oft-spoken front and center element of O’Connell being gay. During the AIDS crisis, some warned the residents of Rappahannock County that eating at the inn could well be detrimental to their health.

Yet O’Connell persevered with his obsession to replicate the Michelin Star restaurants in small villages in France he often visited. Why not become the center of the food universe? Make them come to him.

And so they did. The famous: Barbara Streisand, Warren Beatty, Mark Russell, Julia Child, Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Anthony Scalia and Vice Presidents Al Gore and J.D. Vance. O’Connell even cooked a special meal for the Queen of England.

Patrick O’Connell serves his friend, mentor and inspiration, Julia Child, at The Inn at Little Washington.The Inn at Little Washington

This book will appeal to many audiences. Celebrants of weddings, birthdays and anniversaries who want to relive their magical moments at the inn will devour every word.

The foodie crowd will delight in his stories about the long road to receiving Michelin Star recognition.

For many readers, the most interesting chapters in the book shed light on the 20-plus year relationship between O’Connell and his business and life partner. O’Connell details the slow collapse of their relationship and then the bitter multiyear disengagement of their separation.

O’Connoll’s life story is uplifting. He has found his place – The Inn at Little Washington and the town of Washington – where nearly five decades of his life have been spent at Main, Middle & Gay.