At the peaceful lakeside at the home of Michael and Jennifer Tilghman, guests gathered for a night that blended rustic elegance with country charm, and left no heart untouched. Fayette Cares’ Farm to Table dinner, held on June 21st, proved once again that good food, good people, and a great cause can come together to create something truly unforgettable.
With string lights twinkling over wildflower centerpieces provided by Ruth & Rice, and southern favorites performed by Guideon Sullivan, guests enjoyed a gourmet feast prepared by 901 Catering, where every bite told a story of local pride and community generosity.
The deviled eggs were so delicious they nearly caused a stampede and were the perfect start to a menu that celebrated homegrown ingredients and heartfelt giving. Jones Orchard peaches found their way into a tender peach-stuffed pork loin, generously donated by Kimery Processing. Despite recently losing the roof of their building in the Moscow tornadoes and operating out of a refrigeration truck, the Kimery family refused to accept a dime once they learned the meat would support Fayette Cares. “If it’s for Fayette Cares,” they said, “we wouldn’t dream of charging.”
Diners enjoyed fire-roasted corn from Pattat’s Produce (picked just days before by “Reverend Sweet Corn” himself, Ryan Pattat), and a colorful country caviar made with Sullivan Farms peas. Honey from Adair Honey Farm glazed sweetened the honey butter cornbread bites, while Memphis based Riviana Foods rice served as the base for brown rice with mushrooms and thyme, as well as a creamy southern rice pudding bourbon soaked raisins. Fresh-picked herbs from the Fayette Cares shelter garden and local supporters’ plots added aromatic depth to dishes and drinks.
Dessert was a celebration of summer with a warm blueberry and peach cobbler drizzle bursting with Laconia Blueberries and Jones Orchard fruit, served alongside scoops of locally made vanilla bean ice cream from Blue Bell.
As the sun dipped below the trees, Matt Delockery of Sync Ballroom took to the floor leading guests in line dances and boot scootin’.
After guests posed for photos beneath the stunning arch display, lovingly donated and crafted by Twigs-n-Things, the evening light faded behind the trees as Matt Delockery of Sync Ballroom hit the floor, leading guests in lively line dances and some good old-fashioned boot scootin’.
The beauty of the evening was not just in the setting, the food, or the music, it was in the spirit of giving. From 901 Catering and Chef Molly Malone, all who passionately support Fayette Cares’ efforts to protect survivors of domestic violence and families in crisis, to the Tri-State Woodcrafters who designed custom charcuterie boards for the guests, to every volunteer, farmer, and friend who contributed — the Farm to Table dinner was a labor of love from start to finish. From 901 Catering and Chef Molly Malone, to the Tri-State Woodcrafters who crafted custom charcuterie boards, all who passionately support Fayette Cares’ mission, and every volunteer, farmer, and friend who contributed, the Farm to Table dinner was truly a labor of love.
Thanks to generous supporters like Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals, Twigs-n-Things, Lucerne Farms, Jones Orchard, Riviana Foodservice, Sullivan Farms, Adair Honey, Pattat’s Produce, Ruth & Rice, Sync Ballroom, Kimery Processing, Laconia Blueberries, Raven and Lily Restaurant Court, and every individual donor who made this event a reality.
The funds raised provide vital shelter, food, and safety to neighbors in need. We extend a heartfelt thanks to all who supported this mission-driven evening and encourage the community to return the favor by visiting these businesses, shopping local, and showing appreciation for those who help make the mission possible.
