Spooky Season is one of my favourite times of the year, but this year, it seems my calendar and travel schedule has been the one giving off the spooky vibes.
With whirlwind trips to Toronto for events and organizing press conferences in Halifax, my week leading up to All Hallows’ Eve was anything but festive.
But thankfully, we Maritimers are kind of brilliant and are known for organizing some incredibly unique dining experiences to go with every season.
Remember that time we had the most amazing dinner on the ocean floor at low tide this past summer?
So it should come as no surprise, that during peak harvest season, some had the fabulous idea to host a Witchy Hour Dinner Party.
Yes, you read that write — a Witchy Hour Dinner Party.
The brilliant minds behind this dining experience?
Local entrepreneur and woman-owned business Farm to Table and Maven Hill Farm in Memramcook, another woman-owned and operated business you should definitely know about. There are alpacas and cats. Need I say more?
Guests were invited to dress in their witchy best and come for an evening right out of the pages of Practical Magic and sure to have Stevie Nicks approval. So, I called up my bestie & boo, Brittany, and said — get your witch hat and broom, we’re going to have a hauntingly good time.
Maven Hill Farm is located about 20 minutes from Dieppe/Moncton and is a sight to be seen in itself. A beautiful home and retreat centre, perched on the top of a hill surrounded by the gorgeous Memramcook Valley and the home to a group of absolutely darling alpacas and of course, cats. Including, Francesca, the kitten who is new to the coven.
You can’t have a witchy event with a slew of cats, now can you?
Upon arrival, we were served the most fabulous chamomile, lime and rye cocktails that I’m still dreaming about. Not claiming I’m a cocktail expert by any means, but I had never heard of putting chamomile in a cocktail. It was absolutely delicious.
We were also served a beautiful grazing table of charcuterie.
The best part about any Farm to Table event is that Founder and Owner, Chanelle Belliveau, talks the talk and walks the walk. Everything she prepares for her meals are sourced as locally as possible, whenever possible.
The charcuterie board featured a gorgeous assortment of local cheeses and meats, as well as honeycomb from a local apiary. It was such a treat.
For our first course, we enjoyed fresh, warmed bread from Copain Bakery (a Moncton staple) and apple cinnamon butter, whipped fresh by Chanelle.
We then enjoyed an absolutely epic smoked tomato soup. If you have ever gone to lunch with me, you know that tomato soup is my all-time, go-to soup of choice so this was such a treat. I could have licked the bowl.
Next, we had the a beautiful local harvest salad that included fresh local greens from Local by Atta, apples from Verger Belliveau, pecans, bacon, and a tasty apple cider vinegar dressing. When I tell you the taste explosion was heavenly in this salad, I mean it.
For our main course, we were treated to a mouth watering braised short ribs over a pumpkin and maple puree. Yes, it was as good as it sounds. The main course is always served family style, so in addition to the braised short ribs, we enjoyed carrots, an herbal salad, and duck fat roasted potatoes.
Dessert, of course, was apple crumble served with basil infused ice cream from Lost and Found Ice Cream, another local gem.
Another fun twist to the witchy vibe of the evening, in addition to a playlist that had all of the songs I associate with spooky season and witchy energy, was the Make Your Own Potion Bar, where you could create your very own herbal tea mix. I don’t know much about herbal tea, but I had fun putting a concoction together that included hibiscus, chamomile, and rose petals.
After dessert, it was time to grab our brooms and fly back home, but I can’t stress enough how this was such a fabulous evening of food good, even better company, and magic.
I love any opportunity to attend dining events where the food is served family style and you’re able to meet new people and make new friends. It’s always such a treat and I look forward to the next one.
I’m told these evenings were such a hit, that they will definitely return next year. But in the meantime, make sure to follow Farm to Table and Maven Hill Farm on social media to be in the know about other events and dining experiences.
You can tell them the mermaid sent you!
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