The lakeside home of Michael and Jennifer Tilghman became the site of a Fayette Cares Farm to Table dinner where guests enjoyed elevated dining that showcased local ingredients.
Southern Girls Catering began the gastronomic experience with an elegant butter board of fresh and pickled vegetables, goat cheese, rustic bread, spicy venison meatballs, and smoked salmon deviled eggs.
Trumpeting “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In”, The Josh Threlkeld Band led a procession of diners to their tables for a New Orleans feast prepared by Certified Executive Chef Ernest S. Dickson and Winfrey’s Custom Cooking Services. Fayette Cares volunteers served guests among brilliant sunflowers and artfully arranged natural centerpieces provided by Ruth & Rice and Gypsy Holler Flower Farm.
The sumptuous five-course dinner included vegetables, fruits, and herbs grown less than 1 mile from the table. As the Chefs introduced courses, they shared details about ingredient sources, like the beef raised by RT Cattle Company, a 5th generation Angus cattle farm in Rossville, TN, or the rice grown on family farms in the Mississippi River Delta and provided by America’s leading rice producer Riviana Foods. The meal was paired with wines, including some from de terra Vineyards & Wines of Somerville. Fayette Cares supporters also contributed farm-fresh eggs, locally grown potatoes, and hand-dipped fresh cream.
As the sky grew dark and a full moon illuminated the sky, the tableside Bananas Foster flambé created dramatic flames and sparks, stirring applause from delighted guests.
Hosting and presenting the event were Michael and Jennifer Tilghman, Chef Ernest S. Dickson, C.E.C., Hunter Winfrey – Winfrey’s Custom Cooking Services, Southern Girls Catering, Tina & Jay Glover, Alexandra Porto and Nicholas Kelley. Additional donors and supporters included Agricenter Farmers Market, Backerman’s Country Market, de Terra Vineyard & Wines of Somerville, Fayette Academy, The Flying Scrub Jays, G&G Repair, Gypsy Holler Flower Farm, Hayes Laughlin Art & Photography, Jones Orchard, Knowledge Quest, Kroger RT Cattle Company, Rivianna Foods, Ruth & Rice, and Schrader Orthopedic & Stem Cell Treatment Center.
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