Rachel Louchen reports from Lenox. It's that time of year again: the days are getting longer, the trees are tapped and Berkshire Grown is back with its March Maple dinner. On Monday, March 21, the second day of spring, the annual dinner at Cranwell was filled with local foodies, chefs and farmers enjoying the best of the bounty. New developments for the farmers' advocacy network included an expanded board, more workshops for farmers and a new project, Berkshire Agriculture Ventures (BAV). Hosted by Adam Zieminski of Cafe Adam, the meal featured chefs from Alta, The Marketplace Cafe, Chocolate Springs, The Southfield Store and Wheatleigh. Before the multi-course sit-down dinner, guest mingled and snacked on appetizers prepared by Cranwell's own Chef David Jordon, fresh oysters and cocktails. Above, event planner for the business Amy Rudnick, Berkshire Grown Executive Director Barbara Zheutlin and Berkshire Grown board president Allison Rachele Bayles.
Shane Clark, Nick Shapiro and Brittany Clark of Clark's Garden Center.
Owner Yuki Cohen and bartender John Burns of Methuselah Bar and Lounge poured some finely crafted drinks; Berkshire Grown board member Julie Michaels and Jill Cancellieri, director of philanthropic services at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
BerkShore fresh oysters, shucked by Austin Banach and owner Wes Malzone, brought a taste of summertime to the March event; Berkshire Botanical Garden executive director Mike Beck and designer Lainie Grant.
Seeds & Co. owner Robin Ban, writer Hester Velmans and jewelry designer Dai Ban, who are all members of Berkshire Grown.
Sarah Eustis, chief executive officer of the Main Street Hospitality Group, and Tim Eustis of The Chef's Shop; Brattle Farm'sRyan Chandler and Ryan Popp.
Farmers Molly Comstock and Ruby Duke of Raven & Boar Farm; members Lee Backer and Joan Elmer with Martha Bryan, program manager for the new Berkshire Grown program, the Berkshire Agriculture Venture.
Nick Martinelli, owner of Marty's Local and his wife, Sarah.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
