I went to a small school that did not have NCAA division one sports except for our hockey team. They were really good but as far as I can tell there were never any tailgates for hockey games. So, I do not have a background in such sports traditions. I do however, love football + food + booze. Saturday my girls and I organized my first ever tailgate. Turns out when a couple of event planners get together to throw a party, it is pretty great, if we do say so ourselves. There was some shot-gunning of beers, some dips, an amazing boil thanks to the Shrimp Dock’s fresh gulf shrimp and great seafood stock, and of course Jello-SHOTS. That’s right. We did it up right.
As fall sets in we’re getting really excited about the upcoming Farm to Music event at Riverplains Farm on Saturday, October 22 presented by . The farm opens at 6:00 PM with music from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Buy tickets .
The sit down concert proves a listening room experience under the open night sky featuring Jennifer Niceley with an opening set from Josh Oliver. Jennifer will be joined by Taylor Coker on upright bass, Josh Oliver on keys, guitars and backing vocals; and Dave Racine on drums. Josh and Dave both appear on Niceley’s “Body + Soul” EP.
Anna Niceley Barreiro, in the style of previous Riverplains Farm to Table dinners, will be cooking outdoors in big iron skillets: locally grown sweet potatoes fried over the open flame, and perfectly seasoned skewers of pastured poultry and pork from Mother Earth Meats. There will be some extra baked goods on hand as well!
On the farm this time of year the air is crisp, the colors of leaf and wild bloom varied and deep. Ripe, orange persimmons are falling from the trees, as are black walnuts, hickory nuts, acorns…the corn in the field is turning brown, the ears getting drier each day. The October sunset with views of House Mountain and Clinch Mountain beyond, in dark blue shadows and pink streaked skies, could not be more stunning. And when darkness comes, there is a special clarity of expanse and constellation…even when the air is cool, it makes you want to stay outside and keep looking up.
It’s that time. The nights are getting cool. There are leaves on the ground. The light is getting shorter. That means BOURBON season is upon us. I am a 100% seasonal drinker. I won’t touch gin till it warms up again, the cold months are all about the brown liquor.
In celebration of brown liquor season we are having a Bourbon and BBQ party at the Public House October 13 starting at 7:00. Jim will be smoking meat and whipping up some of his super tasty BBQ sauces, Matt will be making a seasonal salad to go with the meat and we will have SEVEN new bourbons and TWO ryes. Eagle Rare, Blantons, Weller 107, Sazerac Rye, Pappy Van Winkle 10 year old, 12 year old, 15 year old, 20 year old, and the Pappy rye.
I started drinking bourbon and whiskey in college to prove my Southern street credentials in the far off land called Colorado. Back then of course it was the cheap stuff, well the cheap stuff they had in Colorado, Jim Beam and Jack Daniels. Colorado didn’t seem to have the luxury of the really cheap stuff like Old Grandad or generic Kentucky Swill.
Turns out, I actually enjoyed drinking whiskey and bourbon and over the years have refined my tastes going from Jim Beam, to Makers Mark, to Knob Creek, to Woodford, and on up. I don’t remember when I first heard about or started drinking the Pappy Van Winkle but it is the ultimate in brown booze. People are certainly dedicated to their whiskey or bourbon brands but I have never heard anyone argue against Pappy Van Winkle being the best bourbon ever.
We are super lucky and excited to be getting these amazing bourbons and ryes in. Come celebrate fall and the wonders of BBQ + brown booze with us on October 13. Once the Van Winkle bourbon is gone, it’s gone till next year. In the spirit of tasting and experimenting in addition to our regular 2 oz pour, we will offer all these bourbons in 1 oz pours.
Riverplains Farm Announces Riverplains Farm to Music Concert Series Presented by Mother Earth Meats
It is, in every way, in the best interest of urban consumers to be surrounded by productive land, well farmed and well maintained by thriving farm families in thriving farm communities. — Wendell Berry
On Saturday, October 22 at Riverplains Farm the first Riverplains Farm to Music concert series event will take place. Presented by Mother Earth Meats and featuring Jennifer Niceley with an opening set by Josh Oliver. The farm opens at 6:00 PM with music from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
The sit down concert proves a listening room experience under the open night sky. In addition to the music, enjoy a seasonal small plate featuring Mother Earth Meats and local, naturally grown produce prepared by Anna Niceley Barreiro. All beverages are bring your own. This is a family-friendly event.
Riverplains Farm to Music is an event rooted in agriculture and nurturing food traditions. At Riverplains agriculture is defined by cooperating with plant and animal life, forest, river, and human community on the farm. Riverplains embraces the nurturing food traditions that reclaim real food and the art of preparation that brings it to our table.
The evening will feature the soulful and passionate music stylings of Jennifer Niceley. Niceley’s music grows from the same soil as her passion for farming and food traditions. Her recent four-song EP Body + Soul walks the farm she came home to three years ago. Jennifer is delighted to perform these songs in concert on the land that inspired them.
The opening set will be from Knoxville native Josh Oliver. His strings and vocals summon an expansive landscape. His most recent album is Troubles.
During this first Farm to Music the fall harvest is upon us. Join us to offer thanks for summer’s abundance and celebrate the change of season.Join Riverplains farm for a night of music and food from the farm.
A huge thanks to all of you who came out for BaconFest this weekend. It was weekend jam packed with Allan Benton’s bacon, all star southern chefs cooking at John Black Photography Studio and the Pubic House, loads of amazing wine curated by Blackberry Farm, sweet bacon desserts, and general good times. A special thanks to our partners + sponsors, culinary guests, and all of you who came to the events. Keep checking back here for photo recaps from the weekend. The bacon grease is still settling at Mockingbird HQ!
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The plates were full of pickles, kraut, and spelt crackers!
