Twice a year, Frecon Farms invites guests into its orchards for a very special evening of food, drink, music and community. On Saturday, July 29 from 5–8 p.m, the third-generation family farm will host the first Table in the Orchard Dinner of 2017 (the second is on September 30). This limited-seating affair offers guests incredible food and beverage pairings enjoyed al fresco among Pink Lady apple trees, with sweeping vistas and twinkly lights creating a magical atmosphere.
Frecon Farms started this dinner series last summer, and it has proven a very popular event. Josh Smith, the farm’s retail manager and marketing director says, “We’re always telling customers about our crops, orchard care and products, and we do get to show them some of that during our Pick Your Own season…but where these dinners are held is a special spot in the orchard that customers don’t usually get to see.”
For guests, the evening begins with a tour of Frecon Farm’s cidery, complete with tastes of their handcrafted hard ciders right from the tanks or barrels. Then, guests will hop aboard a 1968 flatbed truck retrofitted with benches, and take a 10-minute drive up into the farm’s hilly orchards, passing through fragrant rows of cherry, nectarine, peach and apple trees. The truck will drop guests off on a hilltop with a dramatic view. “The vista lets you see the rolling hills of Berks County for miles and miles,” Smith says.
A bar will be waiting with refreshing drinks and tasty hors d’oeuvres. Guests will mingle to the sounds of festive live music, and then, as twilight settles over the farm, sit down for a four-course dinner catered by Gracie’s 21st Century Café, complete with carefully selected beverage pairings from Frecon’s own lineup of craft ciders. Henry, Tori and Steve Frecon will be in attendance to sup and chat with guests, and Hank Frecon, the president of the orchard’s hard cider operation, will guide diners through the pairings.
There are only 50 seats available for The Table in the Orchard dinner; tickets are $125 per person. Call (610) 367-6200 to reserve a spot.
Can’t wait to see what’s on the menu? Here’s a sneak peek, along with beverage pairings:
Hors D’oeuvres Hour
Artisan bread service
Fresh tomato and avocado canapé: grilled toast with citrus pesto mayo, heirloom tomato and ripe avocado
Vichy Sippers: chilled vichyssoise served in icy cold shot glasses for sipping
Light summer cheese selection from Valley Milkhouse with fruit butter and flatbread crackers
Drink pairing: Hard Cider Mojito
Salad
Roasted baby beet salad on a bed of tender greens, with lemon thyme vinaigrette and pomegranate molasses
Drink pairing: Frecon Orchards Crabby Granny, a dry cyser
Main Course
Peach poisson ‘en brie: organic small chickens stuffed under the skin with caramelized onions and fresh peaches and pocketed with a slice of brie cheese, served with baby carrots, celery and fingerling potatoes roasted in au jus
or
Summer eggplant caprese: local eggplant dusted with panko and layered with fresh mozzarella and drizzled with garden fresh homemade tomato basil marinara, served over a bed of couscous with tomato, basil and white corn
Drink pairing: Frecon Orchards Farmhouse Sour
Dessert
Scratch made baked goods and desserts created by the bakery at Frecon Farms
Drink pairing: Frecon Orchards Apfelwein
For more info about Frecon Farms, visit its website or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
Find Frecon Farms at 501 S. Reading Ave. in Boyertown; phone: (610) 367-6200.
- Photos: Brendan O'Connor
