In Pictures: The 2014 Midsummer Night’s Green banquet
Every year the North Columbia Environmental Society’s Midsummer Night’s Green event grows in popularity. This year’s banquet, held at Terra Firma Farms, was a sell-out, attracting 105 guests.
“So why put so much time and effort into something like this?” MC Hailey Ross asked the assembled diners.
“Well, first of all, the funds raised go to support what we see as essential environmental educational and community development opportunities using the topic of food, which nourishes each of us as our mode of delivery.
“Second, what we’re doing here – an incredible gathering of people and presentation of local ingredients in creative ways, is something quite unique and worth celebrating in a today’s industrialized food-world.
“I recently read a quote by one of my favourite culinary leaders, Dan Barber — a leading farm-to-table chef from New York. He builds on the message embodied in John Muir’s famous quote:
“‘When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.’
“With this in mind, he pondered what it means to be a chef in today’s world, and presented this:
“‘It’s to help with the hitching. To show there is pleasure, good taste, and environmental sustainability in fostering connections. After all, that’s what cuisine is: the way a region’s unique ecological relationships, and place-specific advantages and challenges, become manifested through delicious food.’
“I want to leave you with that thought for now…”
And now, for your viewing pleasure, here is a selection of photos taken during the Midsummer Night’s Green by Rachel Ediger of Whitehart Photo:
The annual dinner is a very popular event. This year it was attended by 105 people. They snapped up all the available tickets months ago. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoFlowers were a lovely touch to the annual Midsummer Night’s Green dinner, held this year at Terra Firma Farms. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoMmmm. Those are great-looking appies. The event was catered by La Baguette. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoBack Alley Jazz provided pre-dinner music. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoThere was a tremendous selection of items to choose from at the silent auction, which was supported by many local businesses and artists. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoA little dab’ll do ya. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoThis looks like it was very tasty. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoAll smiles. And why not? These guests were at the banquet for good times and good food. La Baguette catered the event, which boasted local ingredients and their team volunteered to put together numerous beautiful appetizers, followed by a five-course meal. At least 85% of the ingredients for this meal were sourced right here in Revelstoke. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoMmmmm. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoColourful and delicious. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoHere’s another view of the diners. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoBrook & Evelyn Campbell of Blasted Church Vineyard provided pairings for five courses. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoBesides wine from Blasted Church, there were thirst-quenching local ales from Mount Begbie Brewery. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoGabe Taylor and Allie Haerie provided great music for the event. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart PhotoAll in all, this event was a success for the North Columbia Environmental Society. And it brought together many local sponsors including La Baguette, the Greenslide Cattle Company, Mount Begbie Brewery, Terra Firma Farms, Pat Wells’s wild foraging, many local backyard gardeners and a whole raft of local companies and individuals that sponsored items in the silent auction. Please click the link below to see who sponsored what. Photo courtesy of Rachel Ediger/Whitehart Photo
