Client Appreciation Garden-to-Table Party 2024

Aug 25

Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of hosting our annual Client Appreciation Garden Party, and let me tell you—it was nothing short of magical! When I first started this journey of garden-to-table living, I never imagined it would grow into such a vibrant community of people who are passionate about gardening, nature, getting outdoors, and eating good food 😉

A Celebration of the Gardening Community

Seeing everyone together in my garden enjoying the fruits (and flowers) of our labor was a reminder that gardening isn’t just about weeding and watering, it’s about creating a life for yourself that is filled with natural abundance.

What makes this event so meaningful to me is the sense of connection that blooms when we all come together. I saw a new client who just installed their first raised bed talking to a long-time client who is currently working with me on the fourth installment of their kitchen garden: a mini-orchard. The garden has a way of bringing us together, no matter our skill level – it’s a celebration of our shared values and the journey we’re on together toward a more sustainable, intentional way of living.

So, want the party recap? Here we go!

Garden to Table Everything

From the moment guests stepped into the garden, I wanted them to feel immersed in the garden-to-table experience. And that started with the food. The talented local chefs from Mentionables Eats and Everywhere is Local created a menu that highlighted the freshest ingredients from my kitchen garden. And yes, they did have to pivot the menu at the last second! 🫣

The chefs came over to my garden the day before the party to pick all the produce needed for the menu, and thanks to Mother Nature, we had to swap out some recipes based on what was available in the garden. Luckily, with chefs this talented, there was no problem. They filled the back of a Subaru with pounds and pounds of fresh garden produce and took it back to their professional kitchen to prep.

Think roasted courgettes and green beans, vibrant herb-infused dressings, and salads packed with just-picked veggies. Grilled chicken and rice and yogurt-herb sauce. Huge charcuterie platters and fresh fruit salads. Desserts baked with juicy, tart raspberries. Every bite was a testament to the power of growing your own food and knowing exactly where it comes from. Let me tell you – guests were more than happy with the food. Our chefs were being showered with well-deserved compliments.

And let's not forget the drinks! After the rave reviews from last year’s garden party, you bet Cordial Co. was one of my first calls when planning this party! They crafted the most delightful garden-inspired mocktails + cocktails, using ingredients fresh from the garden. The signature drinks of the afternoon were a hibiscus margarita and a black walnut old fashioned, made with black walnut syrup Matt distilled from a tree on our property — yes, even your drinks can be garden-to-table!

Decorations Fresh from the Garden

Of course, the food and drinks were only part of the story. Every detail of the evening was thoughtfully curated to reflect our garden-to-table philosophy. After Parker Drive dropped off farmhouse style dining tables and chairs, Karen from Yellow Dog Farm outdid herself with stunning floral arrangements that included everything from lush greenery to the most beautiful dahlias and snapdragons, and even clusters of blackberries, all grown on her Wisconsin farm. Beautiful blooms filled the dining tables, interspersed with the twinkling flames of lit candles, as we sat down to eat.

One of my favorite parts of throwing a party is creating an ambience for my guests to relax into and enjoy each other’s company. Candles are one of the best ways to create a warm and cozy, intimate feel. For this party, we actually debuted a fun new piece in my garden-to-table living line: a hand-poured, small-batch candle with a custom scent inspired by the aromas of my real-life kitchen garden. The scent we created is truly divine – so fresh and natural and it totally transports you to the luscious oasis of a thriving garden. Attendees were treated to a little pre-sale opportunity, getting the first chance to pick up a candle for their own homes. (But lucky for you, they’re up on my website for purchase now!)

And the evening would not have been complete without some tunes to start the party. We were lucky to have the incredibly talented Doghouse Roses perform throughout the evening and his music perfectly completed the vibe, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere as we mingled in the garden.

Savoring Community

As we wrapped up the night, I couldn’t help but be so grateful for the incredible feeling of being surrounded by friends and family, out in my garden, enjoying good food and drinks and conversation. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that creating a garden isn’t just about growing food—it’s about growing community, cultivating your own inner well-being, and forging a deep connection to the earth. If you’ve been thinking about starting or expanding your own kitchen garden, now is the perfect time. Or now. Or now! 😉

Thank you again to all the vendors who helped make this evening so special. Your creativity and dedication are truly inspiring. And to my wonderful clients and friends, thank you for being part of this experience. Here’s to many more nights of community, connection, and garden-to-table living!