Rachel Louchen reports from Lenox. If there was any doubt that the Berkshires are a culinary force to be reckoned with, the five-course March Maple Dinner on Monday, March 24 served as an excellent reinforcement of the talent of our local chefs, restaurants and farms. The annual dinner served as a fundraiser for the agricultural non-profit Berkshire Grown and its Share the Bounty program. Held this year at The Cranwell Resort, the dinner was able to accommodate a huge group of food enthusiasts. The night started out with hors d’oeuvres accompanied by a tasting of local beverages, before moving on to the grand showcase dinner featuring the culinary talents of Wheatleigh's Jeffrey Thompson, Gala Steakhouse & Bistro's Chris Bonnivier, Mezze's  Marianne Comella, Route 7 Grill's Christophe Jalbert, Ron Reda of Table Six at the Kemble Inn and Daire Rooney of Allium. Five dishes later, guests were able to bid on auction goodies while very, very full. Above, Wolfe Spring Farm'sJune Wolfe and Berkshire Grown Executive Director Barbara Zheutlin.

Deborah Morris with cousin Teresa Yurchis, who came from Portland, Oregon for the dinner; Phil and Jen Leahey of Leahey Farm in Lee.

Berkshire Mountain Distillers'Jon Height and Michael Sherry poured some of their popular spirits; Joe Grochmal, his son Joseph, daughter Olivia and wife Ann were excited for the impending five-course feast.

Allium's head chef Daire Rooney works on plate presentation multiplied by 100.

Board member Sarah Gardner and Program Associate Suzie Fowle; Melissa Leab and Rob Leab of Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock gave out samples of delicious treats like maple cream and butter.

Elaine Radiss with husband Rich Petrino and Bruce Friger; Nancy Kalodner and her son, Joel Kalodner, came out to support Berkshire Grown.

June Wolfe and husband Jim Wolfe, Peter Cherneff of Share The Bounty, Barbara Zheutlin and Route 7 Grill proprietor Lester Blumenthal.

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