Triumvirate expands trust to edge of plate

We followed the clues — and a Google map link — and wound up in Happy Holler at sculptor Preston Farabow‘s Ironwood Studios at 119 Jennings Ave.

The welcoming cocktail was a Aperol spritz. It was bitter, but uniquely refreshing. Here’s my hubby, Alan Carmichael, with ours.

Trust Fall dinners usually only accommodate about 20 folks. But this one — because there were three chefs — had 60 guests. We had our cocktails outside as we waited for everyone to arrive.

Platters of charcuterie were put out to tide us over until dinner.

Here’s the beautifully set table inside the studio.

How often do you get to eat a gourmet meal in a working blacksmith shop? Love the chandelier.

Ha.

Here’s Chef Matt Gallaher again with Caroline Farris.

Simple elegance was the design theme.

Here’s our host, Preston Farabow, left, with Gary and Bernadette Doyle. Gary’s the general manager of RT Lodge.

Michael Higdon, left, and Scott Bird.

Soon it was time to take our seats.

Mark and Mary Lynn Bellott sat across from us. He gave her the dinner as a Mother’s Day gift.

First course was “California Gold” sea urchin and Wedge Oak Farm Mangalitsa lardo on Knox Mason brioche with fresh hearts of palm and Circle V Farm chicken egg “bottarga.”

Next course was a “safe” one, which I welcomed after the mild shock of the sea urchin. Spring vegetables and preserved winter vegetables.

Amy and John Candy drove over from Memphis to attend this dinner! (And to visit their daughter, who lives in Knoxville.)

David and Nicole Lipsey were among the guests.

Mary Constantine, the food editor of the News Sentinel, right, and Shelley Kimel of the paper’s business staff.

Chelsea and Nathan Osborne.

Dave Kuczmarski, a sous chef at RT Lodge, was helping out with the next course for his buddy Trevor Stockton, who was one of the featured chefs. Stockton is the executive chef at RT Lodge.

It’s beautiful. But it’s sweetbreads!

Crispy Ellensburg lamb sweetbreads with grilled Crooked Road Farm romaine, green chickpeas, preserved lemon and squid ink aioli.

Garrett Painter and Lindsey Collins.

Here’s Keith Kirk doing the honors with the riesling.

Because these dinners are pretty lengthy, the hosts have gotten into the habit of telling everyone to pick up their things and go outside for a few minutes in the middle of the soiree. The sky was beautiful.

Here are Deborah and Larry Fauver enjoying the break.

And Ned and Claire DeLozier.

Back inside, everyone sat with someone new for the second half. Here are Amber Rountree, left, and Cari Gervin.

Roasted duck breast with melted spring onions and duck tongues with foie gras and confit mushrooms.

Dustin Busby of Just Ripe, the Hoof food truck, and Century Harvest Farms, was another of the featured chefs.

Beef cheek, tongue and marrow with strawberry, ramps and grilled sourdough was served with a 2007 Dehesa La Granja from Bodegas Fernandez Rivera.

Desserts for the men were caramelized wheat cake with Cruze Farm fromage blanc and strawberries.

The women got a variety of chocolate items. Yum.

It’s traditional to sign the chargers at the conclusion of these meals. Here’s Cari Gervin doing that.

Here are the three chefs taking a bow. From left, Matt Gallaher, Dustin Busby and Trevor Stockton. Great job, guys. The event was called “Triumvirate.”