Woodland Gardens - Garden Party

Jan went with us to Winterville, GA just outside Athens to a Georgia Organics benefit dinner hosted by Woodland Gardens. It was quite a happening and it was sold out.

We first toured the 5-acre farm, which is beautiful. They have acreage for outdoor plants as well as hoop houses for growing in the cold months. Recently they've added about 40 egg-laying hens and have them housed in a mobile hen house atached to a free-range enclosure. The link below has some photos of the farm.

Then some of the best chefs in Atlanta entertained the 150 - 200 guests with a sit down dinner that was the most amazing display of food and cullinary skill I've ever attended. 100% orgainic of course.  These are the chefs who were there:

Anne Quatrano - Bacchanalia
Hugh Acheson - 5 & 10
Gary Mennie - Livingston
Joseph Truex - Repast
Joshua Hopkins - Abattoi
Steven Satterfield - Miller Union
David Larkworthy - 5 Seasons Brewing
Drew Belline - Floataway Café
Carla Tomasko - Quinones
Matt Palmerlee & Edward Russell - farm255

David Roberts - Community Q
Luis Vasquez - Star Provisions
Ron Eyester - Rosebud
Andy Carson - Bacchanalia
Hilary White - The Hil
Matthew Roher - Cha Bella
Cathy Conway - Avalon Catering
Angie Mosier - Angie Mosier Food
Tiger Mountain Vineyards
The Johnston Family Farm.

This thing was over the top.  Normally I'm not much of a food person but get this:  just one of six salads was House smoked Escolar with Endive, Apple and a Hard Cider Vigaigrette and Rey Croutons; darn yummy.

For the main meal there were a dozen entrees including  Mom's Macaronu & Cheese from Bacchanalia and Mr. Wang's Wild Georgia Shrimp served by Rosedud in the Highlands. We had some of each.  And yep, there was dessert - lots of dessert.

But the best deal was the atmosphere:  two long tables in a big old hoop house with lots of smart happy folks.  We are definately on for next year.  Take a look at a few images.

Whit Gibbons at ABG

Whit Gibbons gave a great talk at the Botanical Garden last night.

Dr. Gibbons is Professor Emeritus of Ecology, University of Georgia, and Head of the Environmental Outreach and Education program at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL). He is author or editor of twelve books on herpetology and ecology and has published more than 250 articles in scientific journals. He has had commentaries on National Public Radio, and more than 1,000 popular articles on ecology published in magazines and newspapers. His encyclopedia articles have appeared in World Book, Compton's, and for the past 25 years have included the annual summary of Zoology for the Encyclopedia Britannica Year Book.

We've heard him talk before at Fernbank about his Savannah River Project.  That was to a mostly adult audience.  Last night he brought lots of turtles, snakes, lizzards and aligators and the audience was full of kids.  He was teriffic;  beautiful animals and he really connected with the audience.

One of his snakes was a Timber Rattlesnake, which is found in Georgia.  It was quite large and there was no mistaking the sound of that rattle!