A Midsummer Night's Feast: Erin French

Our summer tradition continues at the historic House of Seven Gables in Salem by the beautiful garden on the harbor.
"Sometimes you have to get a little lost to find the things you are searching for"

Our journey to The Lost Kitchen began quite unexpectedly. We stumbled upon Erin French's story after her original restaurant had closed and she had started her Airstream pop-up. Something about her resilience captivated us, and we began following her culinary journey, reading about her remarkable backstory, and waiting patiently as rumors swirled about a new restaurant opening. Over the past 10 years she’s restored a stunning mill and turned the water falls into a stunning, if not impossible, destination that only postcard lottery winners can attend.

While we may never win the coveted postcard lottery for a seat in Freedom, Maine, we can still capture the magic of seasonal celebrations. The Lost Kitchen isn’t simply a meal; it’s an experience that showcases each season’s bounty. Together at the Gables we too can create an unforgettable night inspired by stories and recipes.

Use either of her cookbooks The Lost Kitchen and Big Heart Little Stove and let everyone know what you will be making, in the comments section of this event.

Much larger and grander than our normal events, this dinner event is designed to include your loved ones! It's an evening to dress up, savor incredible food and drink, celebrate summer with our Feast Family, and create an unforgettable experience.

Tickets are $25 per person and will help cover venue fees, supplies, and more. Thank you, in advance, for purchasing your tickets and making all this possible!

LIBRARY BOOKS:

• The Lost Kitchen: copies in the Noble Network and the minuteman network.
• Big Heart Little Stove:Copies in the Noble network and the minuteman network.

MEDIA:

• 🎙️Be My Guest: Erin joins Ina Garten in the Hamptons
• 📺 Getting Lost with Erin French
• 📖 Lost in Translation from DownEast Magazine

WHAT TO PACK

1. Your recipe
2. Small containers to take home leftovers

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1. Tables + Chairs + Linen
2. Linens, Tableware + Utensils
3. Non-Alcoholic Beverages + Drinkware

TIPS + IDEAS

1. Go out of your comfort zone. Try a new technique or work with ingredients you've never used before.
2. There's no guarantee your dish will remain HOT by the time we are ready to eat. Consider recipes that not only travel well but can also be served at room temperature. Either way, you're welcome to bring a heating element, crock-pot, or warmer. Check with us first to see if there's an available outlet at the venue.
3. Be sure to read through ALL of the recipe instructions beforehand to make sure you have the proper tools, dishes, and ingredients. (We’ve made that mistake and wound up empty-handed.)

FIRST TIME HERE?
Welcome! Keep reading...
INSTRUCTIONS : How our Cookbook Club works

1. RSVP via Meetup. The event fee (paid online) secures your seat. This automatically removes the cumbersome waitlist and maintains a consistent level of participation. All funds go toward venue rental fees and Meetup costs. If you would prefer to pay in cash, message me and I'll manually add you to the list. Thank you!
2. Get your hands on the cookbook to flip through and pull a recipe. You can ask your library to retrieve it from their network, borrow from a friend, or purchase from a local retailer. If you're in a pinch, let me know, and I'll email you some snapshots of recipes to choose from.
3. Pick at least 1 recipe to make for the event. Note: To avoid recipe duplication, take a moment to check the comments section and see which recipes have already been posted. Just in case, have a backup recipe selected in case your first choice is already taken.
4. In the comments section below (not in the chat box), share which recipe you (and your guests, if any), will be bringing. Please do this at least 48 hours before our event, as we will print menus.
5. Day of the event (or the day before). Prepare your recipe according to the directions provided in the cookbook. As tempting as it might be to alter the recipe or make a substitution, please follow the instructions as closely as possible. This will allow the group to truly experience the author's array of recipes. Note: No need to double the recipe. There will be more than enough food to enjoy!
6. Packing your own place settings is one of the ways we hope to keep costs low. Make your plate, bowl, and silverware part of our story. Tell us about your vintage store finds or your aunt's wedding china you never use. There are endless variety and incredible backstories.
7. Don't forget to bring some small containers to take home leftovers. You'll have the best lunch the following day, guaranteed.

Can’t wait to prepare + share,
Brenda and Jim

IN CLOSING
Full refunds are provided for cancellations at least 7 days prior to the event. In other words, if you have to cancel the day of (or within 7 days of the event), you unfortunately won't be able to get your money back. Let me know if you have any questions.

This event wouldn't be possible if it weren't for YOU.

Can’t wait to prepare + share,
Brenda and Jim