This year’s Heirloom Harvest Barn Dinner left lasting memories of a glowing evening full of scrumptious food, lively conversation, and warm company. A collaboration of the Heirloom Harvest Project, Seacoast Eat Local, and Slow Food Seacoast, this celebratory event is the result of a growing community dedicated to local food. Many thanks to all who helped make it happen, we truly could not have done it without you. Volunteers came from far and wide, and over several days to clean, set up, serve, and break down, lending a helping hand wherever it was needed. We are grateful for the thousand and one tasks that were accomplished through your invaluable contributions of time, effort and good cheer.
Once things were set up, the participating chefs went to work — many thanks to Chefs Brandon Blethen of Robert’s Maine Grill, Lauren Crosby of Black Trumpet Bistro, Evan Hennessey of Flavor Concepts, Robert Martin of Zampa, Ted McCormack of Blue Moon Evolution, John Medlin of Popper’s Sausage Kitchen, Mike Prete and Matt Greco of The Kitchen, Mariah Roberts of Beach Pea Baking Co., and Mark Segal of The 100 Club, for your delicious creations. Each course was a sublime showcase for local food, with ingredients provided by Applegard Farm, Birch Hill Farm, Black Kettle Farm, Brookford Farm, Heron Pond Farm, Maria Southworth, Meadow’s Mirth, New Roots Farm, Stout Oak Farm, Strawbery Banke, Touching Earth Farm, Tuckaway Farm, and White Gate Farm.
An event like this is only made possible through the generous and distinctive contributions of its sponsors — thank-you to Dole & Bailey, Chamberlain Springs, Exeter Events & Tents, EcoMovement, Farnum Hill Cider, Flag Hill Winery, Flatbread Company, General Linen, Maine Shellfish Co., M.S. Walker, Pete & Gerry’s Eggs, Salmon Falls Winery, Smuttynose Brewing Co., Throwback Brewery, and Vermont Butter & Cheese.
Very special thanks go to the Robinson Family of Berry Hill, and Josh and Jean Jennings of Meadow’s Mirth for once again graciously hosting this event. I like to think we’re adding to the good karma already residing in the barn. Alyson Tully transformed it with her magical touch, Mary Dellea and her band filled the space with their sparkling music, while Enna Grazier captured it all with her incredible eye. To my fellow members of the Heirloom Harvest Barn Dinner Steering Committee — Briana Cribeyer, John Forti, Jean Jennings, Josh Jennings, and Denise Mallett, fervently led by Evan Mallett — it was an honor to work with you.
Lastly, the evening would not have been complete without those of you, our guests, who came to spend the evening with us. Thank-you for making this a sold-out event, we remain overwhelmed by your enthusiastic support. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces at table, and hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
— Debra Kam, Seacoast Eat Local, Heirloom Harvest Barn Dinner Steering Committee
*Here’s a copy of the menu from the 2011 Heirloom Harvest Barn Dinner. More photographs are available online from Enna Grazier, Jill Minnick Jennings, and also here.