ToddBlog: 30th Anniversary Dinner

We wanted to do something awesome to celebrate our 30th Anniversary.

There were discussions of jetting off to Europe, but that was not going to happen.

We wanted to maybe fly to somewhere sunny, but again, no dice.

It has to be something good because, you know, even numbers, three decades, we're still here!

We like to watch Netflix on a tablet while we have supper sometimes.

I know that Rose likes shows that feature creativity and home design.

I was on the hunt for a show that she would like that we could binge-watch for a week or so during meals.

I found on called "A Taste of the Country" and I knew she would love it!

Here is the description of the show:

The reality series Taste of the Country spotlights Danielle French, her team and her family as they work together to create magical events at the farm. Will rain ruin a wedding? Will the judges like South Pond’s creative butter tarts? Take a behind-the-scenes look at the stress, laughter and love that go into everything at South Pond Farms.

That sounded fun!

We took a chance on the show and she took to it right away!

She even predicted what the host would do in a situation, based on her own tastes!

It was a bit freaky!

During one of the episodes, the host mentioned the town of Lindsay. I thought, wait a minute, is that the same Lindsay that's just down the road?

It was! This place that was the subject of this show my wife was connecting with was in the neighborhood!

I jumped on the world wide web and sought out the place and discovered they were holding event like they featured in the show...on the weekend of our anniversary.

I love a no-brainer decision!

I clicked the mouse and the reservations were made!

We were going to a 6 course food tasting event, limited to 12 people and prepared by a professional chef!

Cool!

The gang for the night!

The menu.

So here's what happened.

We arrived and were greeted by the host, Danielle French. She introduced the Chef and we headed out to the open bonfire. It was dark, so you couldn't see much but it was intimate and welcoming.

The Grill was hot and there were starter finger type foods that involved small pieces of bread and what I thought was caviar. Turns out the official word is canapes. There ya go, you learned something.

Next, we went inside and started the courses.

#1 Fire Roasted Corn Farm Potage

This stuff was tasty, because of the bacon! Apparently these pigs are fed only with the leftover mash from a brewery in the area. It's got potatoes and cold pressed garlic oil on top. Great start!

#2 Harvest Salad

Then came the salad. It looks like "some assembly required". I found out it's called "deconstructed" salad. There you learned something else. (You're on a roll, stick around!)

#3 Linwood Farms Trout Chorizo

This one was a favorite. It's a sausage made from trout. It had a nice texture to it and came with chick peas and tomato butter.

#4 Hunter's Stew

Now we're getting serious! This was a huge chunk of Bison, cooked and smoked on the outside charcoal grill! It was tasty, like a prime rib, but more smokey. I ate mine and some of Rose's! There were also meat balls made from wild boar. It was in a mushroom broth along with pickled garlic.

#5 Celebration of Ontario Cheese

The bread was sooooo good!

Chef McKenna explained all the dishes to us before we ate, and for this one he stressed he only gets local cheese. The blue cheese was tangy, the cheddar was sharp and the roasted walnuts were a nice touch to!

#6 Bethany "Smores"

Dessert time! This was a version of a s'more! You've got the chocolate, marshmallow and graham crackers all served up in a unique way. Tasty! Bring on the coffee!

Quick selfie before the coffee!

Chef McKenna!

This meal was very special. The staff makes sure you feel at home and they let you know the night is all about you! I even got to DJ the music! It's all served in a dry-shed converted to a kitchen/dining room.