So, I often volunteer to do things for people and then am a kind of louse (I whine and resent the very activity that I volunteered to undertake). Just remember that: it is a subtext here which I am overcoming -- because I truly loved the meal that came as a result of supporting someone I love. I speak of the amazing meal at an event called Confluence, which the Corning Museum of Glass (which had a glass barge on the canal in Seneca Falls) undertook to support the National Women's Hall of Fame. There were tickets and there was fear of rain (yes there was a deluge before and after -- but not during!) -- and there was a silent and a live auction -- and there was music. But mostly: there was food, drink and an amazing meal overall. It was weeks ago now, perhaps even a month, but Confluence is still worth commenting upon.
Featuring women everywhere - from women carpenters and glass blowers to women chefs, Confluence was a fascinating exercise in feminism and food (and more). The two chefs were:
Christina McKeough from Graft Wine and Cider Bar in Watkins Glen. Christina, and her husband Jonah, are best known for founding the popular Hazelnut Kitchen in Trumansburg. She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a chef dedicated to sourcing local products whenever possible.
Karen Gilman from Dano's on Seneca Lake, where she is pastry chef and manager. (If you have never had dessert at Daon's you are truly missing one of my favorite things in the Finger Lakes: mohn torte.)
The menu was fully locally sourced (thorough the hard work of Jessica Giles of the National Women's Hall of Fame) and donated, and included an amazing array of items. I, for example, learned that radishes with a glob of butter on top is a delightful thing. Who knew?
I do not have the menu in front of me (and nor can I find the link), so you will have to be satisfied with what I can do in terms of descriptions. And, you will need to show up in 2018 for Confluence 2).
First: there was a huge spread of cheese, charcuterie and noshes ahead of the meal where among other things I discovered the wonderment of radish + butter. I had a sparkler but cannot tell you whose it was. Alas for it was terrific as were all the pairings.
On food:
Ahead of the meal there was a huge spread of local cheeses and meats, as well as pass around hors d'oeuvres. The latter included (the only bit I had): radishes with a dollop of butter. I am amazed to say that this was terrific.
Vichyssoise with smoked fish -- terrific, smooth, and just the right temperature, which I find amazing given we were outside seated at a single (very) long table
Watermelon tomato salad w pickled onions and local feta from Black Pearl Creamery
A comment on the salad: the darn thing has been described by my partner as "the best watermelon feta salad ever. Why is this a quibble? While I agree with her entirely, I also think mine is terrific.
Sausage and pork belly with spaetzle and collard greens and apricot mustard: this was amazing. In fact, the group around liked it so much that we had to get a second plate (it was served family style). I love spaetzle so was particularly taken with that and, of course, the pork belly. The belly was succulent and served exactly like I like it in terms of the portion size.
Desserts were made by Pastry Chef Karen Gilman as noted above. There were two desserts available and, I admit, I had several of the goat cheese cake with blackberry compote. Yum. I also had (piggy?) several of the layered apricot dessert. Both were terrific. The only thing conceivably better would have been Karen's Mohn Tart.
On drinks -- Both the opening reception and the pairings that came with the full menu featured local wines and ciders. I feel guilty for not knowing who all donated -- because everything was donated both for the drinks, the food, and the chef's time and expertise. I know Hosmer and Atwater both donated liquids but cannot say for sure others. Mea culpa! I can say that there were lovely roses, white and reds -- and that the dessert one was an apple based ice wine. Amazing.
So: if you hear of confluence happening again in Seneca Falls bringing together the Corning Glass Museum and the National Women's Hall of Fame -- and I think Confluence 2 will be September 2018 -- buy a ticket and come with your checkbook. Why? There was also an auction with amazing items including Corning glass blown right on the glass barge, and much, much more.
As a final side note: the Hall is a worthy charity. Please join me in donating to them through their website. And/or come along to this Fall's Induction -- which, if you are a foodie, should be a blast since Alice Waters is one of the ten inductees.
