An el fresco farm-to-table dinner experience awaits 100 people on Aug. 21 on Maple Street in Glens Falls, as the Glens Falls Downtown Collaborative, Glens Falls Farmer’s Market Association, Glens Falls Food Co-Op and the Queensbury Hotel team up to serve a four-course meal at a new local event dubbed Grandma’s Table.
Only 100 tickets went on sale July 26, purchased exclusively at the Food Co-Op, 11 South St., during store hours, Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The idea for this event surfaced through social media when event organizer, Lisa Balschunat, a patron member of the Food Co-op, saw a post on social media about an open air communal table in Jonesborough, Tenn., that was organized to raise awareness about its farmer’s market. She mentioned the idea to the boards of the Collaborative and Co-Op, and with a city representative. All involved in the discussion thought it would be a compliment to the festivals and events presently held downtown.
“The goal of Grandma’s Table is to bring people together in our community while simultaneously increasing awareness about the numerous fresh farm and whole food options we have in our region,” Balschunat said. “Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties are rich with fabulous farms that grow everything we need to eat health and eat happy. We can buy fresh vegetables, berries, melons, greens, meats, cheeses, milk and starter plants to grow our own food in our own backyards or in our local community gardens.”
She added, “I have lived in four counties in New York state in my lifetime, and have lived in this region for 19 years. The fresh food options in our area are limitless. There is actually a farmer’s market within 30 miles of Glens Falls every day of the week in the summer, and every weekend in the winter. On Aug. 21, we’re going to bring some of that food to the long 100-seat table on Maple Street.”
At Grandma’s Table, Queensbury Hotel Head Chef Michael Crandall, his staff and food prep volunteers from the Co-Op, will create a four-course meal including bruschetta, a garden salad, vegetables, rice and a protein, along with mulled apple cider and apple pie.
The event will be held in the center of Maple Street, which will be closed from the intersection of Ridge Road and Maple Street to the TD Bank parking lot from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Farmer’s Market Association vendors include Butternut Ridge Farm, Echo Creek Farm, Adirondack Mountain Mushrooms and Fresh Market, Lick Springs Beefalo, Longview Farm, Saratoga Apple and Grazin’ Acres Farms, to name a few.
In addition to sharing its kitchen staff, the Queensbury Hotel has partnered with the three nonprofits as the sole event sponsor, sharing its culinary expertise and providing the protein for the family-style meal. Hotel owners Ed and Zack Moore and hotel general manager Tyler Herrick additionally are sharing the tables, china and silver with Grandma’s Table guests.
Table clothes and family style serving platters are being provided by event committee members Amanda Abrams, Beth Clark, Lynae Kovatch, Kim Arnold, Lisa Balschunat and Glens Falls City Tourism and Downtown Business Director Amy Collins.
“By simply setting the table with lace or linen printed table cloths, we are hoping to invoke fond memories that were created at our guests’ grandma’s table in years gone by,” said Balschunat.
In case of inclement weather, Grandma’s Table will be moved inside the Queensbury Hotel ballroom, organizers said.
The event begins at 3:30 p.m. with a social hour and option cash bar on the Queensbury Hotel patio. Dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m.
Chance tickets for raffle baskets that include certificates from River Arrangements, Pa’s Pistols, Cheesecake Like No Other, Adirondack Country Gourmet Coffee, Perfect Scents, and Monahan Chase Catering will be for sale, and a Food Co-Op “tabletop store” will sell ingredients from the events menu and a sampling of products sold at the Co-Op.