Farm to Table Fundraiser Provides Culinary Arts Scholarships and Endowment Fund
The Paris Henry County Art Council (PHCAC) held its first annual Farm to Table Dinner and Fundraiser in efforts to fund scholarships for local students seeking to further their education in the culinary arts and to further the missions of PHCAC. With upwards of 200 people in attendance, the event raised more than $10,000 to support the cause.
Numerous local organizations sponsored the event, with Westfalia Farms and Derksen Portable Buildings serving as premium sponsors. The event took place in early June at Westfalia Farms located in Paris, Tenn.
Chloé Roth, Executive Director of the PHCAC, said, “My goal was to give back to students at Henry County High School. It has been a few years since the arts council was able to give scholarships, and I thought it was time to bring that back. I am thrilled that because of the success of our event, the PHCAC is not only able to give scholarships this year, but we are also able to start an endowment fund so that we can continue to give for years to come!”
Patrons had the opportunity to enjoy Paris local, Johnny Mac, perform acoustically while dining on an elegant meal prepared by Chef Andrew Yeomans.
Chef Yeomans, a New York native and European trained chef, developed a unique menu for the dinner, incorporating locally raised pork from Tosh Farms and produce from Future Visions Farms and Bell Farms. The three-course dinner included a crown roast of local pork and cream oven roasted cabbage from Future Visions Farm and Bell Farms. Chef Yeomans is the owner and head chef of the Family Table restaurant located in Henry.
Market Street Bakery, a locally owned business specializing in bakery favorites, provided desserts. Attendees enjoyed peach cobbler and blueberry cheesecake.
After dinner, a live auction was emceed by Executive Director Travis McLeese and Community Relations Director Kasey Meunch, both of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. The live auction included the work of Eric Stonebraker, a local artist, who painted two pieces during the event.
A silent auction was held throughout the evening, in which, bidders competed for numerous donated items such as a candlelight dinner for two at the Eiffel Tower Park, a weekend getaway, and handmade jewelry.
Sponsorships to the first annual Farm to Table Dinner, which included tickets, sold out within weeks of the PHCAC’s announcement of the event. After the success of this year’s fundraiser, the PHCAC plans to expand the event next year, allowing for more attendees and additional sponsorships.
