Essay

Can We Ever Go Back to Junebaby and the Willows Inn?

Last year, a pair of newspaper investigations 86'd the reputations of two of the state’s most decorated chefs. But both of these restaurants are still open.

10/25/2022 By Allecia Vermillion Illustrations by Doug Chayka

Destination: Lummi Island

Willows Inn: The One That Started It All

Blaine Wetzel transformed a sleepy bed and breakfast into an international fine dining destination.

08/14/2018 By Allecia Vermillion

Shifts & Shakeups

This Week in Restaurant News: Soma Dreams of Soba

Plus, Uwajimaya gets a new grilled cheese resident and Willows Inn shuts down staging program after DOL investigation.

06/30/2017 By Amber Wright

Ticket Alert

Willows Inn Joins Another Worldwide Mystery Chef Swap

Once again Lummi Island will play host to a top-secret (yet pretty big deal) chef from elsewhere in the world. Tickets go on sale today.

09/21/2016 By Allecia Vermillion

Culinary Literature

Coming in November: Blaine Wetzel's Willows Inn Cookbook

Prep your smokers and stock up on juniper berries, people.

09/18/2015 By Caroline Ferguson

Changeups

37 of the World's Best Chefs Swapped Kitchens for a Night

It was the brainchild of Blaine Wetzel at our own Willows Inn.

07/13/2015 By Allecia Vermillion

Awards & Accolades

And the James Beard Best Chef Northwest Is...

...Blaine Wetzel, who gave one of the night's more memorable speeches.

05/04/2015 By Allecia Vermillion

Shifts & Shakeups

This Week in Restaurant News: Gnocchi and Good Causes

This week, the Pacific Northwest restaurant community rallies around one of its own—while enjoying her fiance's award-winning food.

03/06/2015 By Caroline Ferguson

Awards & Accolades

Blaine Wetzel Wins James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year

The next three hours of the ceremony were pretty uneventful for local contenders.

05/05/2014 By Allecia Vermillion

Yep, Summer Is Here

Five Dinner Series to Put on the Calendar

Okay, technically one isn't a series. But check out that chef lineup.

06/13/2013 By Allecia Vermillion

Food and Drink Events

Nosh Pit Weekly Planner

This week: pizza at the Corson Building, suckling pig at Tavolàta, and a make-your-reservations-now chef challenge at the Willows Inn

05/29/2012 By Anne Larkin

Food News Roundup

Neighborhood Food News: Koral is open for lunch, Wayward Vegan is open for dinner

Plus: Farmers market season is just around the corner, Mad Men is on at Luc, and more.

04/04/2012 By Anne Larkin

Hometown Pride

Cormac Mahoney, Blaine Wetzel Among Food and Wine’s Best New Chefs

The mag recognizes the Madison Park Conservatory and Willows Inn chefs in its top 10.

04/03/2012 By Christopher Werner

Post

Road Trips 2012

03/23/2012 By Kathryn Robinson, Laura Dannen, and Allison Williams

Seattle Restaurants in the News

Wall Street Journal says Willows Inn "On the Brink" of Becoming Next Big Restaurant

The Lummi Island up-and-comer gets points for daily foraging and ducks fed to the chef’s specifications.

10/06/2011 By Jessica Voelker