On the evening of September 10th, Over 160 people gathered for a communal farm-to-table dinner on the Main Street Bridge in Penn Yan. The concept was initially started in 2019, making this the 2nd Annual Community Table Dinner. The Community Table Dinner fundraiser donated $10,000 to this year’s chosen beneficiary, Penn Yan Theatre Company (PYTCo). The funds will be used toward their major renovations of the Sampson Theatre.
Members of the Community Table Dinner Committee presented a check to the PYTCo Board on Tuesday, October 18th inside the Sampson Theatre.
The Community Table Dinner features local chefs, bakers, farms, and craft beverage producers. It’s also built around being a sustainable event, meaning no plates, and only eco-friendly products were used during the dinner. The lumber for the table was donated by Carey’s Lumber and Building Supply and built by Dan Mitchell of Staving Artist, Brian Gentry, and many other volunteers right on the bridge hours before the dinner started.
Chef Ben Comstock, of True Roots Kitchen and Catering, worked alongside Chef Chet Thompson of 18th Amendment & Burnt Rose Wine Bar, Chef Jason Lambert of Main Deck, and Sabrina Miller of Sabrina’s Bake Shoppe. The collaboration of culinary talent and passion created an impeccable three course spread for the dinner guests.
The event was incredibly successful thanks to the following generous donors and sponsors: Anonymous Donor on behalf of the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning & the Southern Finger Lakes - Keuka Area Fund, Bedient Farms, Finger Lakes Farm Fresh Co-Op, Blue Heron Bakery, The Birkett Mills, Simmons Estate Vineyards, Vineyard View Winery, The Keuka Lake Wine Trail, Laurentide Beer Co, Abandon Brewing Company, Carey’s Lumber and Building Supply, Staving Artist Woodwork, Cindy Vollmer, and Longs’ Cards & Books. Without the long hours of the service staff of 18th Amendment and various volunteers, the event wouldn’t have run as smoothly.
“Seeing our community come together to celebrate our amazing culinary and agriculture experiences of Yates County was so exciting. Our committee is looking forward to hosting next year’s event and has already started planning,” said Jessica Bacher, President & CEO of Yates County Chamber of Commerce and Co-Chair Community Table Dinner.
The dinner’s success was in part of the committee members: Co-Chair, Mike Lipari – Finger Lakes Economic Development Center, Co-Chair, Jessica Bacher – Yates County Chamber of Commerce, Jody Tyler – Yates County Chamber of Commerce, Chelsea Race – Yates County Chamber of Commerce, Dan Mitchell – Staving Artist Woodwork, Rose Curry – 18th Amendment & Burnt Rose Wine Bar, Ben Comstock – True Roots Kitchen at Laurentide Beer Company.
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