STEPH DEROSA: TERRY’S BERRIES HARVEST FEAST >>>

Last night proved to be a magical evening under a perfect sky.  Hosted at local organic farm Terry’s Berries the first annual Harvest Feast took place â€" and I was fortunate enough to feast, too.

For this week’s Dinner with DeRosa I would like to re-create the fantastic meal Charlie McManus and his Primo Grill/Crown Bar crew put together.  Every ingredient was from local farmers, and I had developed a taste for some new favorite dishes.  Grilled corn on the cob carried a sweet, buttery, yet spicy twang while the spicy coleslaw nipped my taste buds right in the bud.  And don’t let me forget to give proper kudos to the perfectly spit-roasted pig that melted in my mouth with every bite.  YUM. 

Even though Charlie was present last night, he was too busy and I was too far away to get a proper picture.  (I suck.)  Regardless, he is my first dinner guest.  It would be an honor to have him at my table.

Our musical entertainment for the evening, A Room Called Remember, suited the mood and ambiance of Harvest Feast perfectly.  Hell, they could suite the ambiance of any dinner I had perfectly â€" they were frickin’ fantastic.  I love hearing live music that melts my soul, and that’s exactly what 120 dinner guests heard as well.  A Room Called Remember is a group of guys who grew up together, all within a one-mile radius, and you can tell. Their music melds, and their attitude is contagious.  Although they did play funky originals, it was the curvy take on covers such as Sublime’s “What I got” and Primitive Radio Gods’ “Standing Outside a Broken Phonebooth with Money” that hooked me in.  I blame the cello player. Yes, Caleb Hegg, you ARE kind of a big deal.  Now come eat some dinner with me.

Terry Carkner of Terry’s Berries is of course invited to DWD as well. Without her amazing dedication to organic produce, my kitchen would not be the same.  If you’ve been living under a rock, and have never explored the possibilities of a “farm share,” please do so soon.

Daniel Blue the local artist, musician, and Weekly Volcano artist/scribe is invited as well.  His poetry reading last night moved dinner guests and empowered us all.  Bravo Mr. Blue, bravo!  Although next time I want to hear Motopony as well, got it?

Let’s not forget Tacoma Farmers Market Board President Richard Hines will be at the DWD table.  Thank you Mr. Hines for all of your passion and hard work this past year.

Again, another person I failed to meet up with and snap a hot of was Laura Edwards.  She was the workforce and mastermind behind this extravagant, well-played feast.  You did a spectacular job, Laura. Your hard work and loving efforts definitely paid off last night.  Know that you are appreciated, and that I promise not to make you plan any Dinner with DeRosa.  You deserve a break.  Plus I’m embarrassed of how messy my house is â€" so, yeah â€" I’ll be planning this one.

Mangiamo!

P.S. DWD is a fictitious dinner I have in order to give props to, or make fun of people in the community.  No, I’m not actually taking you out to dinner.  OK, maybe that cute cello player, but that’s it.