Page 28 - Leisure Living Magazine Spring 2018

On Stage,In Concert
& Other Celebrations
Compiled by Catharine Hadley, Arts and Entertainment Editor, catharinehadley@gmail.com
Prelude To Spring
With longer days and warmer weather on the way, most of us have an appetite for spring – and all the delights the earth has to offer.
Two Erie County businesses, the Culinary Vegetable Institute and Mulberry Creek Herb Farm, are ready to help you indulge your senses and enjoy the season.
Marcy Barker, the director of the CVI, said the institute usually offers seven “vegetable showcases” and quarterly farm-to-table din- ners throughout the year. Diners should be prepared to see old familiar favorites in new and different ways. “When we interpret a vegetable, we look at every part of the plant, in every part of its life,” she said. “It’s always an adventure.”
While protein is part of the meal, the veg- etables are featured. “It’s the vegetable that kind of drives the dish, that drives the cre- ative process,” Barker said. “It’s truly a cel- ebration of that moment in time. It’s really driven by what’s picked in the garden that day that dictates the end result on the plate.”
The meals are prepared by both local chefs, and nationally-known and award-win- ning chefs.
Potatoes will be featured in the March 16 showcase, and spring vegetables will be fea- tured in the April 13 showcase.
At the Mulberry Creek Herb Farm, re- freshments will be part of the grand re-open- ing the first weekend in April. Karen Langan is the co-owner of the herb farm, along with
her husband Mark. The focus of that event will be the new greenhouses, which were renovated last autumn.
“Fairy refreshments” will also be part of the Springtime Fairy Fest, which is scheduled for April 21 and 22. Although it will be too early to plant outside, the visitors will be able to explore the magic of miniature gar- dens.
Mulberry Creek Herb Farm hosts several events throughout the season, including a garlic festival, catered dinners, and a Christmas open house. “When we have these events, we usu- ally have food, classes, and vendors of various numbers,” Langan said.
The largest is the June Herb Fes- tival. “This year the theme is Party in the Garden.” Visitors will find about 50 vendors, plus be able to learn about cooking and entertaining with herbs – “all the way to herbal hang- over remedies.”
Check the CVI and the Mulberry Creek Herb Farm websites for more information about coming events.
28 |LeisureLiving Spring 2018
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