Chef Sally McArthur is the exclusive teaching chef at the extraordinarily
beautiful and historically important Château du Rivau located in the
heart of the Western Loire Valley near the picture-perfect town of Chinon.
Sally has been the Executive Chef/Restaurateur for some of Seattle’s most successful restaurants, including Anthony’s Pier 66, Chinook’s, The Metropolitan Grill, Elliott’s Oyster house, and Union Square Grill. She was an early leader in the crusade for sustainable resources and support of local farmers based on the French model.
Career highlights include a Lifetime Television documentary of Sally’s career and culinary philosophy, being selected to cook for then President Clinton and his re-election team, and representing Washington State at the James Beard House in Manhattan. Sally has been an international Director of les Dames d’Escoffier and was dubbed the “Grand Dame of Seattle Women Chefs” by Emmett Watson, the legendary columnist.
Educated at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Chef Sally has degrees in History, Anthropology and Secondary Education. In 1982, she continued her education by moving to France to train with some of the country’s most respected chefs. Thus began Sally’s career pattern of creating exciting, innovative restaurants in the United States, while spending part of every year working and training with French master chefs.
Hard work and training have instilled in Sally a love and appreciation of French food, wine and the culture of those who provide it. One of her favorite pursuits is sharing her experience and knowledge with those who appreciate delicious food and wine.
Sally will introduce you to the fascinating local personalities and traditions that underscore French regional cooking. Her contagious enthusiasm and gifted teaching skills will inspire and expand your culinary abilities, understanding and comfort with the entire French experience. Known for her hospitality and sense of fun, Sally will ensure that your experience will be long remembered.
