Tomas Rahal, of MAS Tapas, is among the many chefs who have created a tribute dish to honor Double H Farm’s Richard Bean, the local food giant who passed away late last year. Rahal’s dish is Shenandoah rabbit and duck liver terrine. A complete list of the chefs and their dishes is here. Rahal’s words:
“Richard was the purest form of ‘terroir’ we have in Central Virginia. Sweet and pugnacious, he and Jean brought so much energy to the local food scene as growers, mentors, and friends. It was a unique honor to have met him, worked with him, known him, fed him. He cannot be replaced.”
Christian Kelly, of Maya, is among the many chefs who have created a tribute dish to honor Double H Farm’s Richard Bean, the local food giant who passed away late last year. Kelly’s dish is Crispy Cured Double H Farm Pork Belly, with a Double H Farm egg, pinto beans, and conrbread. A complete list of the chefs and their dishes is here. Kelly’s words:
“Old school comfort for this time of year. Fitting in my mind for the tribute to a man who touched so many people with his amazing pork products,eggs and vegetables. Richard reminded me a lot of my step father who raised me on his dairy farm from the time I was 6. They both had this unwavering, stubborn commitment to hard, no-glove, callous-building work. Every day, don’t ever let up. I love that about my dad and immediately saw that in Bean from the high quality of his products and how passionately he spoke of his ideals.
He was a man’s man too. Loved to give shit and bust balls. He loved getting it back equally. I know first hand as he IS a diehard Redsox fan and I’m a diehard Yankees fan. We would go round for round exchanging blows about who was the better team. Laughing as we spit barbs at one another, I always knew we both relished those times. When he would call me on Tuesdays to get my order, we would talk sports, family, the food fight, and how the hell do we make money at this? He was everything, an advisor, a dad, a Sherpa, a farmer, a leader of a revolution, a husband and most importantly to me,a really good friend.
Once at one of Maya’s local food and wine nights, I was standing in front of all the dinner guests preaching to the choir about the importance of local food. When I got to the part about getting to know the farmers and getting to build relationships with people who produce the food, I said the most important thing in my life is my relationships with people. Richard stood up and started clapping. He felt the same way. Relationships make us who we are. It tells the world what we value and who is important to us. He always drove that home for me. Knowing Richard the way I did was really an honor. He made me look good. Like, I have some really great friends mom, look I can make good decisions.
To say that Richard Bean was one of a kind is an understatement. He was one of the most unique individuals I will ever know. He will be missed without question. But in a way, he will always be here. Living in all of us who he touched. We pass along his beliefs, his work ethic, his generous nature to the next group and so on. To me, that’s heaven and reincarnation. I love that guy.”
-Christian Kelly, chef/owner of Maya
