Freight Shed opening Full Moon Dinner fundraiser a howling success!

For the opening of its Full Moon Dinners, the Bath Freight Shed Alliance kicked off its ‘Good Food’ summer season with a four course meal prepared by Chef Aaron Park of Henry & Marty’s of Brunswick on Sunday, June 23^rd at the Freight Shed. Some fifty guests joined in the event and despite the furtiveness of the ‘full moon’, Chef Park’s offerings were truly exceptional.

The hors d’oeuvres plate featured a smooth but crunchy chicken liver pate, sharp goat chorizo and a wonderful vegetable pate accompanied by pickled spring onions, chèvre and a delicious organic carrot and beet blend with caramelized spring onions and cashews. A perfect harbinger of good things to follow!

After a plated salad with farmers’ market greens, fresh mozzarella, hakeuri turnips, and  kohlrabi enhanced by a smooth fresh herb vinaigrette, Chef Park provide an entrée of rhubarb maple roasted chicken, a slow roasted brisket, chunky but smooth, balanced with a rhubarb BBQ sauce, Heiwa tofu, Jacob’s Cattle Bean cassoulet, la ratte potatoes and chanterelle mushrooms with sugar snap peas in a honey glaze. The entrée  was absolutely delicious with varying textures, colors and tastes.

A strawberry rhubarb desert with a granola crisp with yogurt whipped cream topping followed by coffee completed a highly varied yet very satisfying meal.

A selection of three mead wines provided by Rob Nicholl of Fiddler’s Reach, served Merrymeeting with the hors d’oeuvres, a light crisp wine from wildflowers and wild raspberry blossoms; accompanying the entrée was a dry red mead wine Wild Blue, a blend of dry blueberries and blueberry blossom honey and lastly with desert, Soft Southerly, made from Leatherwood flower honey, distinguished by its cinnamon spiciness.

Chef Aaron Park selecting the ingredients for the feast!

Chef Park sourced most of the food from local farms and food producers, most of whom participate in the Bath Farmer’s Market at the Freight Shed.

Local artist Maina Handmaker exhibited her work in the Freight Shed Community Room, with a number of items being sold and the proceeds shared with the Freight Shed and Maina.

Maina Handmaker exhibiting one of her triptychs

Peter Alexander and Johanna Harkness provided wonderful music in keeping with the event.

Peter Alexander and Johanna Harkness 

The reviews received included:

“Perfect in every way!”

“Amazing ambiance,  presentation and food!”

“Truly delectable!”

 

“A fascinating palette of tastes, textures and wines”

“A lovely event!”

“Count it as a great success!” 

-- all despite the moon making only a fleeting appearance, seen by few at the event. Focus had instead turned to good food, good drink and good company, all for a good cause!

Thank you Chef Aaron Park and everyone that pitched in for a great Full Moon Summer Celebration Kick Off!