The RVA French Food Festival began in 2009, as a fundraiser for the Little Sisters of the Poor, a local non-profit serving Virginia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s elderly poor. The idea for the festival was sparked during a conversation between dedicated volunteers and donors Michael Siewers and Stokes McCune, Development Director Christy Heinen, and Sister Josephine at a Christmas party. It was noted that Richmond was quickly establishing itself as a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfoodie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 town, with a vibrant restaurant scene and numerous food festivals as well.<\/p>\n
The Little Sisters of the Poor has its roots in France, and the group remarked on the absence of French cuisine on the Richmond Festival scene. As fate would have it, longtime friend of the home and classically trained Master Chef Paul Elbling had recently retired from running his restaurant La Petite France, and generously agreed to headline the festival with some of his very own dishes.<\/p>\n
And so the RVA French Food Festival has grown, highlighting the French culture, food, music, and wine, all for a wonderful cause. From a Parisian marketplace featuring local vendors, to entertainment from fantastic musicians and even local favorite Jonathan the Juggler, to a dish of Chef Paul\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Boeuf Bourguignon or Chef Sean\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Gumbo Ya Ya, it is a festival you DON\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T want to miss. In 2015, the festival added 6 fantastic new local chefs to the line-up, and after the success of a Friday night preview event in 2016 we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve added it to the permanent lineup this year!<\/p>\n
Friday, April 28th, 2017
\n4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
\nSaturday, April 29th, 2017
\n11:00 AM to 8:00 PM<\/p>","excerpt":"
Welcome to the home of the RVA French Food Festival, Richmond\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only festival offering the rich flavors of France\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s finest cuisine, served up by a team of phenomenal local Chefs in support of a wonderful cause. We believe in fun, food, family, and fundraising\u00e2\u20ac\u201cbringing our community together to experience just a little of the magic of French culture, cuisine, music, and wine. All proceeds of the festival go directly to support the Little Sisters of the Poor, as they serve to live their mission of caring for Virginia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s elderly poor. 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