Gracias!

The second Alabama Supper went off without a hitch! And even though Tuscaloosa proper saw some weather, Bee Branch remained relatively unscathed - although, we didn't manage to catch any breaks with regards to the humidity, did we? Hey, but a little sweat never hurt anybody, and I'm sure you all chalked it up as part of the authentic Alabama experience. The ratatouille lived up to its expectations, and I think we can all agree it's oh so much more than a French peasant dish. Never underestimate the power of freshly picked summer vegetables. Those folks over at Pixar studios had it right. And if anybody doubted the Southern delicacy that is goat cheese grits, then I hope your faith was restored after tasting Chef Weinstein's special recipe.

Over at Eating Alabama headquarters, our carport is finally getting back to normal. Until we get that catering trailer, it's sort of doubling as an underground kitchen storage facility. For a while it looked like some canners had come and trashed the place - empty mason jars everywhere, propane fryers strewn, big pots unwashed and tucked in the corner. There's still a few things lingering, but all in all we've fully recovered, and some of us (I won't say who here...) are already scouting locations for our next rendezvous together. Just think winter squash and deer sausage could be in your future...

If there's one thing that we take away from these events, it's the reaffirmation in our COMMUNITY. It's not just about the food. It's about the people - the people who work the land, who fight floods and wild animals, who spend hours wielding their hoes - to nourish us, to give us the fruit of our earth and their labor. It's about the people who come together to commune with each other by sharing a meal, to celebrate something that has been lost (or at least trampled on). And it's about the place, and reclaiming our connection to the land and our foodways.

Thanks to all of you for sharing this most memorable experience with us. And until we gather for another Alabama Supper, may your plates be full and your palates satiated.

Thanks to the following (we couldn't have done it with out all of you):

Farmers
Snows Bend Farm (David Snow and Margaret Ann Toohey) - I don't need to tell you that these two are bonafide rockstars! They provided the peppers, eggplant, onions, basil, and flowers.
Fig Leaf Farm (Sara and Joe Brown) - They grow a mean mater! And Sara's flowers are always a sight to behold!
Belle Chevre (Tasia Malakasis) - Goat cheese! Those grits would have been naked without it!
McAteer Farms (Jimmy McAteer) - Pears, pears, and more pears.
Oakview Farms Granary (Joe and Patty Lambrecht)- Elmore County wheat; milled and ground on site in Wetumpka, AL
Fiddler Farms - Peanuts, trucked up from Loxley, AL.
Parker Produce (Charles and Alice Parker) - Mad amounts of garlic. Enough to ward off a whole army of vampires!
Tuscaloosa Farmers Market - Watermelon, and pickles galore.

Providers
Highlands Bar and Grill (Randall Baldwin) - Thanks to Randall for making sure we got oysters and the grill-set up. We sure missed him this go around.
Manna Deli and Grocery (Cool Guy Bo Hicks) - Butter and olive oil - this combo makes everything taste good.
McEwen & Sons (Frank and Helen McEwen) - Delicious organic grits; ground at Coosa Valley Milling in Wilsonville, AL.
Continental Bakery (Carole Griffin and Chris Richardson) - Whole wheat baguettes baked to perfection!
Good People Brewing Company (Michael and Melinda Sellers, Jason Malone) - These good people are serious crafters. They know how to brew up a batch of the good stuff!

People
Adam Weinstein - The chef extraordinaire. This man can cook.
Emily Tipps and Jessica Peterson - Wing-gals. These two did everything. They prepped, they cooked, they cleaned, they planned, they made it happen.
Walter Flowers - Mr. Peanut himself. Can't the man make a mean batch of boiled peanuts?
UA New College Students - They prepped, they cleaned, they decorated, they served, and they made the best pear crumble I have ever had. Period.
Sam Gray - He grilled up your oysters!
Alex Chambers and Emily Conner - Ratatouille wranglers
Sam Brewer - He donated the tents and tables!
Jean Mills and Carol Eichelberger - They are always quick to help out wherever we need them!
Red Ruckus and the Tag-a-longs (formerly the Hemhaw Militia)- Fiddle tunes for dancing, digesting, and drinking.

Unfortunately, we were unable to find an official photographer for the event, so we don't have a lot of photos. If you have any you'd like to share, please send them our way!

Above photo courtesy Good People Brewing Company.