Thanks, Thanks A lot.

Well folks, the first ever Alabama Supper was a success! On Nov. 22, 150 people converged on Fig Leaf Farm in McCalla for an afternoon, evening, and night of good food, good music, good beer, good people (consequently also the name of the beer!), and good times all around. I think we proved two things - one, that we've got some party planning in our blood, and two, that the local foods movement is growing in Alabama. We may not be California yet, but there's definitely a burgeoning interest in local foods here, and as far as I can tell, a community of people (like you!) who are committed to supporting Alabama's farmers. We'll get there eventually, I know it. In the meantime, enjoy those Alabama collards and sweet potatoes. There's plenty to go around.

Thanks to all of you for coming. We really enjoyed meeting all of you. Special thanks goes out to the farmers, providers, and volunteers that made this celebration happen. We couldn't have done it without ALL of you.

Farmers
Rosita's Farm (Karen Wynne and Santiago Lima): They raise a mean pig
Birdsong Community Farm (Josh and Beth Haynes): You brought popcorn back into our lives
BC Hunt Farms (Brian and Cat Hunt, daughters Kim, Mary, and Ryan): Putting the green back in salad
Belle Chevre (Tasia Malakasis): Goat cheese!
McAteer Farms (Jimmy McAteer): More sweet potatoes than we knew what to do with
Snows Bend Farm (David Snow and Margaret Ann Toohey): Mean greens. And a vegetarian surprise.
Noah Valley Farm (Simon Bevis): Delectable butternut squash. Don't remember it? It was hidden in those sweet potatoes.
Scott's Orchards: The best damn apple cider i've ever tasted. Period. Oh yeah, and the apples for the crumble cake.
Steele Orchard: The apples for the cider press.
Oakview Farms Granary (Joe and Patty Lambrecht): Elmore County wheat, ground to perfection.
Katie Farm (Jon Fleenor): Magnificent multicolored eggs for the apple crumble cake.
Hewitt's Honey (Bill and Geary Hewitt): These men know their way around the honey bee. Their honey was used in the bread.

Providers
Good People Brewing Company (Jason Malone): Mmmm...beer. Tasty fermented goodness!
Highland's Bar and Grill (Randall Baldwin): Where he is, an oyster is sure to follow.
Petals from the Past: Meyer's lemons to do those oysters up right!
Continental Bakery (Chris Richardson): Master of the baguette. Man can live on his bread alone.
Edelweiss German Bakery and Coffee Shop (Ester Scheef): Let them eat (apple crumble) cake!

People
Adam Weinstein: Master of the Pig and the BBQ sauce. We are eternally grateful for your culinary prowess.
UA New College Students: You know who you are! They made your potatoes, they served you food, they made your cider warm, they raked, they cleaned, they lit a million luminaries, and the list goes on...
Emily Tipps: The letterpress guru. She made those invitations shine! Don't forget to put one in your scrapbook.
Jessica Peterson: Book artist extraordinaire. Thanks for the guest book. It'll keep us straight with posterity, and help us document future Alabama suppers!
Sam Brewer: Tables were a plenty!
Walter Flowers: He popped you popcorn all night!
Hill Country Hemhaw (Mecca Lowe and gang): Fiddle tunes by the fire.
Jean Mills and Carol Eichelberger: They came, they saw, they conquered! Thanks for your help!
Sarah Gurganus: She sang songs by the fire too!
Parents: Thanks for picking up the cider Mom and Dad! And a big shout out to Andy's mom for her party prep prowess, and for picking up the pig and popcorn (wow that's a lot of P's!)

To those of you who missed our little shindig, take heart. We're sure to throw another event like this in the future. Maybe in the spring, when the strawberries are in season. But, you sure missed a helluva of a party. See pictures of the fun below:

(l) The scene
(r) Hill Country Hemhaw in action

(l) Adam and New College crew pulling pork
(r) Adam, my Mom, David and Margaret Ann at the pig pit

(l) Joe's newly constructed composting toilet
(r) View from inside the barn loft

(l) John Fleenor of Katie Farms leads the cider press efforts
(r) Walter and my Mom at the popcorn table

(l) Oysters!
(r) Table decorations

Comments

[Joe Brown]

Rashmi - thanks for posting alla this! You rule.