Saratoga PLAN’s Feast of the Fields Delivers From Farm to Table with Love
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I’ll Have Another!
Mandy Mittler
SARATOGA SPRINGS – About one month ago, my 9 year-old daughter McKenzie was looking over my shoulder as I feverously typed about the upcoming Feast of the Fields for Saratoga PLAN.
McKenzie has always been the type of girl who can be found watching the food networks instead of cartoons. Rather than play sports, she asks for cooking lessons.
When McKenzie caught sight of the tentative menu for the Feast of the Fields, she begged me to take her. Permission granted, countdown began.
Being the good Jewish Mother that I am, we celebrated our second night of Rosh Hashanah by arriving at the Feast of the Fields right when the doors opened and did not stop feasting for the next 3 hours.
McKenzie’s quote, which was usually given with a gigantic smile and food stained face, “Mom this is delicious, let’s make sure we get back here again!” sums up our night.
One of McKenzie’s favorites was Chef Gordon Sacks from 9 MIles East Farm and Elihu Farm’s (one of PLAN’s permanently conserved farms) collaboration of lamb meatballs adorn with local feta, fresh herbs, dressed with local yogurt and dipping sauce and paired with sweet corn and local mushroom risotto.
One of my favorites was from Julia Sanzen of Farmers Hardware. She graced my palate with an unbelievable dish of chicken-fried quinoa with a Thai peanut drizzle. That dish was joined with butternut squash and sweet onion lasagna.This tasting was made possible by two permanently conserved farms, St. Croix Farm and Featherbed Lane Farm.
Since I was with McKenzie I did not partake in the red neon lights “try me” libations but rather sampled the Slate Valley Lavender Lemonade and Bowman’s Apple Cider. I can’t say I will never drink again, but man, those two drinks and I’m close to converting.
Leah Stein of Leah’s Cakery was so kind to welcome us taking seconds of her pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies which rested on top of a petite cup of milk from King Brothers Dairy . I definitely did not win the mother-of-the-year award when McKenzie went to get a napkin and returned to find her butternut squash spiced cake with sweet bourbon frosting finished.
Between samples and snuggles we circled the silent auction table like hawks. McKenzie was determined to win the combined EMS snowshoe and The Hot Yoga Spot package even telling one group of ladies discussing the items, “Oh that’s the one I want please”. Despite her incredible cuteness, I’m sorry to report we did go home empty handed.
One of the highlights of my night was running into one of my close friends and PLANs Board of Directors chair, Jaclyn Hakes. I truly did not realize all that Jackie and Saratoga PLAN did for our community until my first interview with her. Now I was able to feel her pride when looking around this event.
In addition to Jackie, I was finally able to steal a hug from my new role model, Michelle Hall, who in between checking people in and ensuring a smooth night, was finally able to sample “the vegetables of her labor”.
My daughter’s Chef hat goes off to all the individuals who made this night so perfect!
At 8 pm, I texted my friend Arthur that PODUS is fading and we all lumbered back to my car. When my trusty editor asked my impression of the Feast of the Fields I said:
This event, more than any other, filled my belly and heart.
Where else can you sample locally grown and raised products? Which are handed to you by the chefs and/or farmers…
While the sounds of “Oh my God, try this!” or “I have to have another, go get me one more!”, are heard in a constant play reel?
As I sat on a blue cushioned teak wood bench, my daughter’s head on my ‘shoulds’, my arm wrapped around her, listening to one of my favorite bands, The Hot Club of Saratoga, I could not help be be overcome with love.
Love for the blessing next to me.
Love for the town I live in.
Love for the farmers who provided and the chefs who prepared these delicious samplings.
Love for PLAN the unsung land hero of my community.
And finally, love for the fact that I get to have moments wrapped up and handed to me like this all the while getting the privilege of sharing my experiences and taste buds with you.
Thank you, Saratoga PLAN and Prime for creating such a relaxing, filling, lovely event. Till next year, when we will feast again!
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SARATOGA SPRINGS – So, the game plan that emerged tonight was that this was prime mother/daughter bonding time, and while I always love hanging with Mandy and McKenzie, I decided to let said bonding commence, and intersect with them at key moments, such as when they were congratulating Jaclyn and Michelle. Congratulations I heartily echo. They. and their team kicked butt in all the major food group categories, as well as providing those all-important accent details that make a glorious evening glorious-er, if you will…
Glorious accent case in point: Ms. Elisa Sheehan, artist – quietly creating calming artwork inside the silent auction tent… Elisa had donated a piece to the auction, called Kinsugi Eggshells. Her artwork and website are worth a side trip or two, and it certainly made my evening to catch up with her.
While Mandy was doing her mom due-diligence, she avoided the entire spectrum of beer, wine and spirits – leaving me to pick up the slack in this category…
Yes, dear reader – I’m always willing to do anything to advance the cause of good parenting!
I will leave you with this thought about Saratoga PLAN. In many cases, the causes of progressive thinking individuals center around gathering for change. Change the government, change our lives for the better, etc.
Saratoga PLAN gathers these same progressive forces for the cause of no change at all! Leave things as they were, as they are, and as they will be, for future generations to enjoy. There are other organizations that do this – but when you go to an event like Feast of the Fields, you realize that they are the masters of the “no-change game”!
Plus they throw a dynamite, plate-licking deliciouso party, it says here. Kudos all around.
All things Saratoga PLAN are a mere CLICK away!
Arthur Gonick
September 28, 2017
