Dinner at Blackberry Farm

So if you don’t know of Blackberry Farm click here and check it out.

Like I said in the last post Stacey and I, along with our friend Kim, attended a fund raiser dinner and auction at Blackberry Farm. There were four guest Chefs who prepared two courses each. They were Donald Link of Herbsaint and Cochon in New Orleans. Hilary White from Serenbe, Mike Davis from Terra of South Carolina and Barry Maiden of the Hungry Mother. This is what we ate.

Smoked Mountain Trout Hoecake

Country Style Rabbit Pate

White Bean Stew with House Cured Ham and Mustard Greens

Pan Fried Cornmeal Crusted Carolina Catfish

Crispy Caw Caw Creek Pork Rillette

Grilled Jamison Farm Lamb Rack

Pecan Crusted Split Farms Fromage Blanc

Old Fashion Virginia Peanut Pie with Sorghum Ice Cream

It was crazy good and matched perfectly with wines from Vision Cellars. Mac McDonald is the owner and wine maker and he was on hand to discuss his wine and answer any questions. We also enjoyed a glass of Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon, 20 year old. It was really good and when I got home I went right out and bought a bottle. I think I will enjoy it at Mardi Gras this year. Did you notice almost each dish has a pedigree along with it?

Oh yea, the auction was cool as well. There was lot’s of item’s for a silent auction and about ten item’s for the live auction. I donated a painting for the silent auction and when they received it at the farm, the auctioneer decided to add it to the live auction. Damn, damn, damn. I could only imagine the painting I donated and put a retail value of $1000 on was gonna go for $350 and I would look like the fool I sometimes am . And on top of that I was called up to the front of the room by the auctioneer when the painting came up for bid and was carried up. So off I went. I’m thinking great not only will the painting not meet the retail price, but I get to stand up there and let everyone put a face to it. Damn, damn, damn. Rathead, the auctioneer, must have gotten the word about me because when I walked up he stuck the microphone behind his back as if I might try and grab it and say something stupid. Anyway, I was quite relieved when the bid on my painting got to $4000 by Chef Link and then topped by the nice lady from Huntsville, Al. for a final bid of $4250. Now who’s the fool’s? That’s what I was thinking. So I grabbed the mic from Rathead and started chanting “who’s the fool now, who’s the fool now, who’s the fool now?” I ran around the room so he couldn’t get the mic back, the whole time yelling into it ” I’m number one, I’m number one”. I didn’t really do any of that, but I was really excited to see my painting go for that much. Here’s a photo of it.