Peppers Artful Events, Cordelia’s Farm team for farm-to-table dining experience

Peppers Artful Events in Northborough and Cordelia’s Farm in Berlin will host farm-to-table dinners on Aug. 9 and Aug. 17, celebrating sustainable food at its source. The dinners in the farm’s field will take place from 5 to 9 p.m., under tent.

Tickets cost $85 per person and can be purchased at https://cordeliasfarm.com. Cash bar, wine and beer; Mocktails will be available. Live music by local musicians. Note: The Aug. 9 dinner has a rain date of Aug. 10. Visit the website for farm history dating back to the 1830s. Wheeler family members (seven generations) have owned and operated the property, originally known as Indian Head Farm. The website offers information about the name change to Cordelia’s Farm.

Peppers’ Executive Chef Michael Winslett and James Wheeler, one of the farm’s owners, collaborated on the dinner event. Peppers’ former owners, John and Susan Lawrence, had brought outdoor dining to Cornelia’s as early as 2016, according to Wheeler, who said the last dinner was held in 2019. Gourmet Caterers of Boston purchased Peppers Artful Events in 2022.

From bitter greens to vine-ripened tomatoes, corn and more, the farm’s summer fruits and vegetables as well as ingredients from other local farms shine in the chef’s menu. Whether carnivore or vegetarian, the options are sure to please everyone.

The farm-to-table dining experience includes Passed App: Tomato Bit Crostini; Street Corn Flatbread, cauliflower crust, chili lime aioli; Deviled Farm Egg; pimento cheese, shaved scallions; Strawberry Bruschetta, sweet onion crostini; Fried Goat Cheese, pickled blueberry, lavender honey; Stationary Display, an assortment of pickled farm vegetables, sausages and spreads. Plated first course: Sweet Pea Flan, pickled shallots, pea, spinach veloute sauce, pea tendrils, edible flowers: Bread Service: Apple cheddar scone, peach mostarda (condiment).

Buffet Dinner: Southern-style chicken fried steak, creamy sausage gravy, Amish onion cake; Shaved Brussels sprouts, smoked tomato jam, pork belly croutons; Grilled and chilled marinated vegetables; Garden vegetable frittata; Ratatouille; Farmhouse Chicken; Corn, tomato and salmon salad; Fried Green tomatoes, buttermilk dressing, chive; Bitter Greens Salad. Dessert: Sweet corn ice cream, chive biscuit, bourbon caramel, candied bacon, popcorn and a selection of mini sweets.

The focus of the 80-person plus dinners highlight the summer season and the menu incorporates the best of what’s being picked, said Winslett. Blood Farm in Groton will supply meats on the chef’s menu. PS Rentals in Shrewsbury, a special event linen and equipment provider for caterers, has “generously donated some product,” according to Winslett.

Cordelia’s Farm, located at 228 Pleasant St., is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Fresh fruits and vegetables and locally produced products are available. The farm specializes in the production of small fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. A sign is currently up for pick-your-own flowers. Telephone: (978) 838-2942.

Contact information for the award-winning Peppers Artful Events, 43 Hudson St., Northborough: Visit www.peppersartfulevents.com, or call (508) 393-6844.

Enjoy the farm-to-table dining experience. It’s an opportunity for food lovers to learn more about the people and places that grow their food.

Italian Festival returns

The four-day Italian Festival, Aug. 10-13, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish, 33 Massasoit Road, Worcester is not only a chance to sample some of the city’s best Italian food specialties, but also enjoy a variety of activities for the entire family.

The annual festival in past years has taken place three days, according to festival chairperson Elaine Beaudry. “This year, we added an extra day in the event of rain,” said Beaudry, who explained that the original Italian Festival dates as far back as the 1960s and traces roots to Mount Carmel Church on Mulberry Street in Worcester. The church was torn down in 2019.

Beaudry said the parish Catholic Youth Council for the first time will host special events for teens on Aug. 12. There will be a Wrecking Ball, Table Talk pie eating contest, Axe Throw, a Wipe Out Obstacle course and more, she said. There also will be a performance by the band Boombox: The '70s and '80s Experience.

Festival admission is $2 per person. Hours are from 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 10; 5 to 11 p.m. Aug. 11; noon to 11 p.m. Aug. 12; noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 13. As in previous years, handicap parking is in the church lot, with additional on-street parking at Rice Square School.

After a two-year absence because of COVID-19, this popular neighborhood festival returned last August. “It was very successful and we received so many positive comments,” said Beaudry. “Of course, food is the biggest draw,” she said. This year, parishioners have made more than 13,000 Italian cookies to be sold at the event. “No matter how many we make, we always hope we don’t run out,” said Beaudry.

Worcester business participants include Pepe’s Italian Restaurant, Russo Italian Restaurant (two booths) and Boulevard Diner. Moe’s Sweet Eats in Shrewsbury will have its food truck parked on the church property. Beaudry said Boulevard Diner, “a strong festival supporter,” also will offer take-out as an option.

There will be seating for visitors under tent. The parish booths will sell sausage and pepper sandwiches, fried dough, Italian cookies, ice cream, hot dogs and hamburgers, soft drinks, beer and wine, etc.

The key to this successful festival is its volunteers, said Beaudry. Among the many volunteers working to set up and help with the logistics of the event are people from the neighborhood. Volunteers assist with multiple shifts, said Beaudry, and some choose to volunteer the entire weekend. “We couldn’t do it without the support of parishioners and our neighborhood friends,” she said.

Enjoy!

Curate Beer Tastings

“Community Brew Feasts” is a new dinner series this summer at Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield.

There will be five dinners inspired by summer gardens and favorite foods, accompanied by curated beer tastings from Lost Towns Brewing Company in Gilbertville.

Dinners are scheduled at 6 p.m. Cost is $75 per person, including tax and gratuity. For tickets, visit www.salemcrossinn.com; Telephone: (508) 867-2345. The dinner schedule: Aug. 11, Lobster Night: Clam fritters, Salem Cross garden salad, steamers, whole Lobster, local corn on the cob, new potatoes, blueberry lemon trifle; Aug. 25, Barbecue Night:, Honey chipotle grilled Blue Seal kielbasa, Salem Cross garden gazpacho, Carolina -style brisket, BBQ baby back ribs, homestyle potato salad, local corn on the cob, strawberry shortcake; Sept. 1, Gone Fishing: Ale and garlic mussels, Salem Cross garden salad, herbed grilled swordfish with Pico butter, garden vegetable jambalaya, peach crisp with obsessive whipped cream; Sept. 8, Finger Lickin’ Chicken: Hot honey fried chicken wings, Salem Cross garden salad, Meyer lemon and herb grilled Statler chicken, garlic whipped potatoes, summer vegetable ratatouille, grilled pound cake with berry compote; Sept. 15, We’ve Got the Beef!: Open fire cauldron chowder of the sea, Salem Cross garden salad, New York sirloin “London Broil,” loaded spiced baked potato, garlicky green beans, cherry cheesecake.

Owners with the chef have planned menus that offer guests a variety of different foods, flavors and textures. Great picks!

Martha Salem-Leasca, who manages marketing for the family business, announced the reopening of The Hexmark Tavern from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Guests can choose menus in the inn’s main dining room or the Hexmark.

Salem-Leasca reports the inn’s barn doors are “finally back” after an accident last September when a car drove off of West Main Street and crashed into the inn’s historic barn.

Salem Cross, 260 W. Main St., West Brookfield, is an award-winning venue that hosts special events throughout the year. It’s picturesque, whether you choose indoor or outdoor (summer months) dining.

If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Table Hoppin': Experience Farm-to-table dining at Cordelia's Farm