Gentle “Raise the Roots” dinner is charmer

First course was pumpkin soup with sage cream.

First course was pumpkin soup with sage cream.

The sweetest, most delicious, most non-pressure fundraiser every year is the “Raise the Roots” dinner that benefits Beardsley Community Farm. This is the second year we have attended the scrumptious event held at Tomato Head on Market Square, which donates a lot of  the food and provides cooks and servers who also donate their time. Alan and I highly recommend this event, which only costs $30 per ticket. (Click here for an account of last year’s dinner. It was fun and Alan is still talking about that pandowdy!)

But let me tell you a little bit about this year’s fantastic but low-key gathering and how much fun it was.

The 80-seat capacity event was a sell-out.

The 80-seat capacity event was a sell-out.

You saw the soup course. Here is the salad course - from the Market Square Farmers' Market, of course - served with basil vinaigrette.

You saw the soup course. Here is the oh-so-fresh salad course - from the Market Square Farmers' Market, of course - served with basil vinaigrette.

Elizabeth and Mike Armstrong and City Councilman Nick Pavlis, right, were sitting across from us.

Elizabeth and Mike Armstrong and City Councilman Nick Pavlis, right, were sitting across from us.

We also were joined by Peter and Diana Osickey. One great thing about this event is mingling with other fun folks.

We also were joined by Peter and Diana Osickey. One great thing about this event is mingling with other fun folks.

Main course was corn bread on a bed of greens topped with pinto beans, roasted turnips, cheese, Benton's bacon or organic baked tofu, onion and balsamic reduction. (We picked the tofu and loved!)

Main course was corn bread on a bed of greens topped with pinto beans, roasted turnips, cheese, Benton's bacon or organic baked tofu, onion and balsamic reduction. (We picked the tofu and loved!)

When the entire restaurant suddenly burst into applause, I looked around and noticed that mayoral candidate Madeline Rogero had entered the room. Unsurprisingly, she since has been elected our city’s first female mayor!

Madeline Rogero, center, visits with Casy Littell, left, and Shannon Meadows.

Madeline Rogero, center, visits with Casy Littell, left, and Shannon Meadows.

Alan Carmichael seemed to enjoy the entree. Just saying.

Alan Carmichael seemed to enjoy the entree. Just saying.

Then it was time for dessert: sweet potato pie with ginger cream.

Then it was time for dessert: sweet potato pie with ginger cream.

Beardsley Community Farm manager, Khann Chov, shared some information about the project.

Beardsley Community Farm manager, Khann Chov, shared some information about the project.

Daniel Aisenbrey, Kat Raese, center, and Karina Costa are Beardsley Farm employees through CAC Americorps and evangelists for community farmimg. Each of them spoke after the dinner.

Daniel Aisenbrey, Kat Raese, center, and Karina Costa are Beardsley Farm employees through CAC Americorps and evangelists for community farmimg. Each of them spoke after the dinner.

Click here for more information about each of them.

John Harris is director of community gardens for the Community Action Committee. In his job, he oversees Beardsley Community Farm.

John Harris is director of community gardens for the Community Action Committee. In his job, he oversees Beardsley Community Farm.

Virginia Anagnost, left, and Barbara Kelly attended the dinner.

Virginia Anagnost, left, and Barbara Kelly attended the dinner. Barbara runs the Community Action Committee, which oversees the farm. Virginia chairs the CAC board.

There was a trivia quiz and this table won! From right, Sandra Greear, Adair Allen, Wimberly Thompson and a friend who asked that her name not be used.

There was a trivia quiz and this table won! From right, Sandra Greear, Adair Allen, Wimberly Thompson and a friend who asked that her name not be used.

Ash McDaniel was the individual winner of the contest. Congrats!

Ash McDaniel was the individual winner of the contest. Congrats!

Prizes for the winners were free tickets to the upcoming fundraiser called Snow Day, which is a soup contest. Click here for information about the last Snow Day. Details about the next one will be announced soon.

Our friends David and Susan Long were at the dinner. She is on the Beardsley Community Farm board.

Our friends David and Susan Long were at the dinner. She is on the Beardsley Community Farm board.

Thanks to Lawrence Faber and Jade Flanigan, two of the great Tomato Head staff members who volunteered to take care of us during Raise the Roots.

Thanks to Lawrence Faber and Jade Flanigan, two of the great Tomato Head staff members who volunteered to take care of us during Raise the Roots. They take care of us at Tomato Head, too!

Thanks, everyone, for a great time benefiting a great cause. Click here for more information about Beardsley Community Farm, a demonstration project that grows organic produce for local food pantries and others in need.

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Food, Knoxville. Bookmark the permalink.

6 Responses to Gentle “Raise the Roots” dinner is charmer

  1. Georgiana Vines, on November 21st, 2011 at 11:13 am said:

    Sounds like fun and yummy. What is the date for next year?

  2. Fay Bailey, on November 21st, 2011 at 11:14 am said:

    Congratulations on sold out event – Food looked so delicious. Wish I had been there. Thanks for sending the pictures. Fay

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on November 21st, 2011 at 11:16 am said:

    Georgiana: I think you and Gid would have loved it. Don’t think they’ve set a date yet for next year. Will let you know when I hear, though. Fay: You should try to come next year. It’s not a client of ours or anything. We just think it’s a good cause and a fun event.

  4. Georgiana Vines, on November 21st, 2011 at 3:42 pm said:

    Keep us posted!

  5. Gay lyons, on November 22nd, 2011 at 10:47 am said:

    Loved this dinner last year and hated to miss this year. Definitely recommend. Georgiana, I agree—you and Gid would love it. I agree with Alan about last year’s pandowdy. Would love to have that recipe.

  6. John Harris, on December 1st, 2011 at 2:30 pm said:

    We are so happy that everyone loved it. Mahasti Vafaie deserves a big, wonderful thank you for donating her time and restaurant for this event! Thank you so much Mahasti!
    Great food and interesting people to talk with. Thanks Cynthia for the blog – it is always fun to read.

Leave a Reply