The Final Event of 2023

FOOD: Chris Faison, Lead Culinary Instructor, NECAT

BAR: Nick Mallia, Bar Lunette

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bob Tunis

CHRONICLER: Henry Patterson

October, 2023

Our last Jim Haynes-inspired gathering of 2023 was on Halloween weekend. Barbie and Ken, Marilyn Monroe, two Cat Women, a Swat Team cop, Los Muertos and various witches and warlocks were in attendance; also one couple formed an open-face peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Claudine was the sweetest witch of all.

It being a cool rainy evening, the party moved under the canopy and into the house. Nick's delicious caramel/lemony cocktails got the festivities rocking early; he's agreed to make his bar a regular feature of these events.

But the real star of this night was Chef Chris Faison, who with the assistance of one of his students made gorgeous plates of braised short ribs, asparagus and microgreens on a bed of truffle-infused mashed potatoes. He followed with Apple Gillette, a dessert of the season made with apple slices on croissant dough with spice and a caramel sauce.

The crowd appreciated hearing about Chris's work with NECAT, where he helps all who enroll develop their culinary skills and get better jobs. He works inside the prison system as well, and told us about an upcoming "Friendsgiving" event that will be staffed by returning citizens he has been training while they were still imprisoned.

Our next gathering will be just after Memorial Day 2024: We hope you'll join us on Sunday, the 2nd of June!