Political Quotes

“Ernie Royal, one of Vermont's premier chefs and restaurateurs, died Sunday, March 13, at the age of 76. I would like to take a moment to pay my respects to his memory and offer my condolences to his wife of 56 years, Willa Cotton Royal. Ernie spent years learning his trade, more years than most because he was black and opportunities to learn the food and hotel business as a young man growing up in Boston were limited. But Ernie had a passion for restaurants and good food and fine service and it was a dream he pursued relentlessly, despite the cool reception he received from bankers unwilling to lend him necessary financing to start his own business in Massachusetts. He moved to Vermont, where he hoped to be measured by his character and industry--and not the color of his skin. He opened Royal's Hearthside Restaurant in Rutland in 1963, but his fame quickly spread beyond Vermont as food critics for some of the Nation's most prestigious magazines claimed him as their own personal discovery. I often took my family to Royal's Hearthside--the food was terrific but you went there to see Ernie as well. He would always join us and the conversation would range from food to politics and business. His death is a personal loss to our family--and we share the grief of Vermonters who knew him from the many local, regional, and State business councils and associations that he voluntarily gave his time and efforts.”