We have announced a one-of-a-kind partnership with The Inn at Little Washington in celebration of their 45th anniversary.
The Inn at Little Washington first opened in 1978 and today it is one of the world’s most prestigious restaurants for culinary excellence. The Inn is the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the Washington DC area and has been the world’s longest tenured Forbes 5 Star and AAA Five Diamond restaurant.
To celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are producing a Limited-Edition 45th Anniversary Hot Air Balloon Pendant, designed in partnership with Proprietor Chef Patrick O’Connell himself. This is the first time we’ve collaborated with a chef on one of our creations and the iconic pendant represents Patrick’s enduring legacy.
On 17th and 18th April, Fabergé hosted a special event at the Inn at Little Washington. On the 17th, guests were greeted personally by Chef Patrick O'Connell and his staff at the door of The Inn and were treated to an afternoon tea on arrival with a harpist and our jewels on display in an antique dessert cart. The afternoon tea was hosted by Fabergé’s Creative Director, Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell and Fabergé Heritage Council member and Curatorial Director, Archduke Dr. Géza von Habsburg.
Guests were offered a horse and carriage for a special tour of the small town before they arrived back at The Inn at Little Washington for cocktails on the patio to view the sunset of the Blue Ridge Mountains followed by dinner at O' Patty's for a 3 Michelin star dinner, whilst a live ‘bluegrass’ band played. Fabergé jewels were on display on the bar, along with incredibly rare whiskey.
On the 18th April, guests received breakfast in the conservatory before taking a luxury bus to Hillwood for a tour to view the Fabergé Twelve Monograms Imperial Egg in Merriweather Post Estate, and then participated in a garden luncheon. Cocktails followed on the patio, with the presentation of the balloon egg pendant design and speeches from Dr. von Habsburg, Josina and Chef Patrick. Our jewels, including the Fabergé x Game of Thrones High Jewellery were on display and guests were encouraged to try these on.
This was followed by dinner with multiple courses of Chef Patrick's favourite dishes that he created over the 45 years. And to complete the dinner, was a dessert that was made of white chocolate that opened up to reveal a passion fruit yoke egg surprise inside.
Afterwards, guests were escorted by staff led by sparklers back to the patio where there was a fireworks display to celebrate the ending of the "two day house party", and a beautiful cake with the new Fabergé hot air balloon design atop, was presented to guests.
Photography by Stephanie Ascari
