RCHS culinary students fuel Rough Riders

The Fauquier Free Clinic hosted its 23rd Annual Rappahannock County Rough Ride on September 21st. The Rough Ride is one of the Free Clinic’s premiere fund raising activities and all proceeds benefit the Free Clinic, which provides medical, dental, and mental health care to underserved residents of Rappahannock and Fauquier Counties.

The Rough Ride itself is one of the most challenging one day bike tours in Virginia. It offers multiple route options, which include a family friendly 12-mile loop through the historic villages of Little Washington and Flint Hill to the “full on” 63-mile paved route.

The Rough Ride has traditionally provided lunch for participants and this year the undisputed highlight of the lunch was the pies and pastries prepared by Kurt Streu’s culinary arts class at Rappahannock County High School. Long time Rough Ride participants were universal in their praise of the pies and baklava with most declaring them the best ever.

Free Clinic Executive Director Rob Marino, in addition to marveling at the culinary skills of the students, also had high praise for the willingness of the Rappahannock County High School community to assist with this charitable event. In addition to Kurt Streu, Rob singled out Gail Czekaj who coordinated all the logistics required to make this happen and to help make this year’s Rough Ride a success.

And special thanks to the culinary students in the class who may soon be giving legendary chef Patrick O’Connell a run for his money.

Fauquier Free Clinic Warrenton