Berkshire Grown Hosting March Maple Dinner

05:47PM / Wednesday February 27, 2013

LENOX, Mass. — A slate of culinary experts with local ties will display their skills using New England's first harvest of the year — maple syrup.

Berkshire Grown holds its annual March Maple Dinner on March 18 at Cranwell Resort to benefit the organization and Share the Bounty, which buys shares in local farms for food pantries.

This year's March Maple Dinner chefs cut their cooking teeth at either Wheatleigh or Blantyre in Lenox and Stockbridge. Many of these young chefs went on to other triumphs — Brian Young is now executive chef at Tavern on the Green in New York City; Hung Huynh, winner of "Top Chef Season 3," is now executive chef at The General, also in New York City.

Their hearts, however, have remained in the Berkshires and this is the first time all seven will gather to produce a meal in support of Berkshire Grown.

The maple-inspired five-course dinner features these creative chefs:

    Jeffrey Thompson, executive chef at Wheatleigh
    Brian Young, former cook at Wheatleigh and executive chef at Tavern on the Green
    Hung Huynh, former cook at Wheatleigh, "Top Chef" winner and executive chef at The General
    Chris Brooks, former executive chef at Blantyre, current owner of The Chef at Your Table catering company and chef at Austin Riggs
    Michael Roller, former executive chef of Blantyre and current owner of Savory Harvest Catering
    Shirl Gard, former pastry chef at Wheatleigh and current pastry chef at The Old Inn On The Green
    Host chef Carl Deluce, executive chef at Cranwell Resort

The event also features of live auction for a wine dinner for eight at The Old Inn on the Green, and a one-week stay at Casa Miel, a home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

The evening begins at 6 with hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary tasting of beverages by Barrington Brewery, Berkshire Mountain Distillers & M.S. Walker Wines with a cash bar available. Dinner follows at 7 with courses featuring maple syrup from local farms.

Tickets, by reservation only, are $100 for Berkshire Grown members, $125 for non-members. For reservations call the Berkshire Grown office at 413-528-0041.

Hoosac Harvest to Host 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food'

11:40AM / Wednesday February 27, 2013

Hoosac Harvest will host 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' at All Saints Church on March 7.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Hoosac Harvest will host the third Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food event at the All Saints Church, located on Summer Street, on March 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. Farmers and small food producers of the northern Berkshires will be on hand for this free event.

"It's the end of February and most of us are looking forward to spring and this event is a little pick-me-up to get us through the remaining winter," said Sandra Thomas, a core member of Hoosac Harvest. "Farmers are planning their crops and this is a great opportunity to meet those in our community who are growing food, making cheese, harvesting honey and using local items in the food they produce."

At the event, participants can learn about community-supported agriculture, enjoy free samples and swap seeds for the upcoming season.

Participating farm include Wildstone Farm, Cricket Creek Farm, Country Dream Farm, Many Forks Farm. Wild Oats Market, North Adams Farmers Market and other businesses and organizations will also be on hand.

Hoosac Harvest, a citizen-based organization and a staunch supporter of local farms and food, embraces easy access to locally grown food.

"There are many ways that people can access local food — from double SNAP Benefits at the North Adams Farmers Market, to participating in community-supported agriculture, to building relationships with the people who work hard to provide our community with fresh vegetables, meat, dairy, eggs, honey, fruit and more."

For more information, visit www.hoosacharvest.org or email hoosacharvest@gmail.com.

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