A large gathering of people dressed all in white can conjure up any number of images, but on Thursday night in Timmins, it merely signified a funky dinner party.
At a farm on Dalton Road, the team from Radical Gardens played hosts to 40 guests, a jazz trio, and some tasty local food at their annual 'Dinner in White'.
Five local 'amateur' chefs were featured - Kevin Morrisette, Ty Stone, Paul Bragagnolo, Clint Fasciano, and Brianna Demers. For most of them it may not be their full time career, but guests were treated to five gourmet style courses.
"Well, Clint was a chef, but he doesn't do that anymore. Brianna is a chef but she wasn't able to make it. Other than that, everyone just kind of does it for a hobby," said Radical Gardens operator Brianna Humphrey.
Everyone was asked to wear white only on a drizzly evening, but once inside an impressively decorated heavy equipment garage, guests helped themselves to a bottomless mimosa bar featuring fresh fruit juices and champagne. In addition to the meal, guests also each received a bottle of Ontario wine as well as a stainless steel bucket full of freshly picked produce.
Humphrey said that although the evening appeared to go swimmingly from a diner's perspective, behind the scenes there was plenty of organized chaos.
The opening course was a medley of pickled vegetables rolled into a rice paper wrap and served with a red pepper and honey dipping sauce. The dish was prepared by Morrisette who took on a challenge.
"I do cooking as a hobby. I'm an engineer, and I do this on the side. First time serving a big group of 40 people and I really enjoyed it," he said.
The inspiration for his dish was simple.
"I just wanted light appetizer, and use as many vegetables as possible, and keep it crisp and light so people have room for the other courses."
Second course was partially smoked chicken lollipops served with local rainbow carrots and a spicy maple barbecue sauce. Following that was a plate of fresh pasta topped with a sauce made from local tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Up next was a plate of thinly sliced leg of lamb served with roasted new potatoes and grilled peppers. A wild blueberry tart capped off the five course meal.
Radical Gardens owner Brianna Humphrey addresses the dinner guests. Andrew Autio for TimminsTodayHumphrey began this event a few years to give local foodies a chance to indulge.
"We all know Timmins doesn't often have culinary events happening, and we thought it needed some flavour. We started it before I ever bought my restaurant (at Balsam and Fifth) and before we decided to go in that direction, we did our first Dinner in White. We just wanted to showcase regional food. I see all these 'Dinner in White' events around the world in Paris, Toronto, Italy, and all sorts of places, and I said 'why can't Timmins have that?' Timmins should be allowed to have some nice things," she said.
The first couple editions of 'Dinner in White' were 'huge', as over 70 guests attended. This year's edition was more intimate at 40 guests. In past years, there have even been 'extra' guests who somehow managed to sneak in, leaving chefs scrambling.
"That was brutal, because we only order so many plates. So this year, we decided to take it down in size."
The guest chefs, who volunteer their time and effort, have essentially no restrictions placed on them.
"I am totally hands off, but you'd better use regional food. That's my only restriction. It has to be something that is from Northern Ontario. We don't put any input into it, especially now that we own a restaurant and we're doing our own thing. I want to showcase other people's cooking, not mine. It's not really a Radical Gardens thing, we're just hosting a party," said Humphrey.
Among the guests was Tiffany Larose who travelled up from Sudbury with her friends just to attend the party.
"My friend has been here three years in a row, and this time she invited me," she said.
They made the trek especially because Sudbury doesn't have a similar event.
"I loved it. Everyone was super friendly. The food was delicious, the entertainment was great, and the drinks were even better," said Larose with a laugh.
Many guests left with big smiles on their faces and it is an event the Radical Gardens team plans to continue.
"I like the fact that every year there's an eccentric party in Timmins," said Humphrey
