A Celebration of West Virginia Appalachia Food & Culture
The Bridgeport Farmer's Market put on their third annual farm to table dinner, named A Wild & Wonderful Table, last Saturday night, September 23rd at the Raine's residence in Clarksburg, WV.
If you were there, it was a wonderful celebration of food, drink, beauty and community!
I decided not to take my camera because I wanted to fully enjoy the experience (not work) so we're left with the best of my cell phone photos!
It started out with jam jars filled with your choice of local craft brews, wines or my personal favorites - apple/ basil or watermelon cocktail- Summer in a glass! Sargasso from Morgantown, WV served the delicious drinks and locals who all came for a beautiful experience socialized in the setting sun while people filled up the beautiful farm, trees surrounding large open spaces and a glistening pond.
We found our spots at long, natural wood top tables, handcrafted and designed by Mr. Raines, the homeowner himself, under twinkling lights as local musicians, Annie Neeley & Friends filled the air with beautiful acoustic tunes and lyrics.
Local farmers and merchants were invited to create fresh, local dishes, which ranged from pumpkin curry, bloody butcher grits & ground mutton, mountain paella, burgoo stew with corn fritter and tomato bacon jam, empanada gallega with braised pork, candy onions & hot peppers, with smoked corn creme and tomato sorghum sofrito. Finished off with gooseberry pavlova, plum clafouti, & gooseberry macarons!
You could practically taste the garden in the extravagant display of color and flavor adorning a plate full of an array of dishes.
No dish was comparable, but dessert was my favorite. The gooseberry Pavlova won my heart! Compliments to Pamela Delaude, chef at Bridgeport Conference Center!
Photo: Compliments of Katie Willard
Afterwards, guests slowly made their way down a candlelit path to a lounge and fire by the lake where Hilary Kay, Morgantown musician, graced us with her beautiful folk/ bluegrass voice and guitar.
F L O W E R A R R A N G E M E N T S
I had the opportunity to provide the flowers for the event and it was more than a delight.
I chose dusty green pumpkins as vases for a neutral fall setting and filled them with complimenting blue/greens, deep burgundy dahlias from my garden and antique roses.
Thank-you Bridgeport Farmer's Market for a wonderful experience.
If you didn't make it this year, you'll want to mark your calender for the next one!
See the full album of these florals
and other arrangements here on the Beauty page.
Featured Farms: Jennings Brae Bank Farm, Harmony Farm, Richardson Farm, Green Acres Farm, Indian Creek Farm, Radabaugh Farm and more.