An
early nineteenth century Culinary Workshop and Dinner
at Centennial House
Bed and Breakfast in Northfield, MA.
"Dinner from the Hearth" is a four-hour program and dinner, in which
Caren Harrington
provides participants with the
unique hands-on experience of preparing and eating a traditional 19th
century dinner prepared on the great hearth of Centennial House in
Northfield, MA.
Dressed in period costume, and using period cooking implements, Mrs.
Harrington will introduce the participants to the customs, etiquette, and
techniques involved in preparing meals at home in the early to
mid-nineteenth century New England.
Under her skillful direction, members of the group will do everything a
person would do in the 1830's through the 1860's to prepare a tasty and
satisfying evening meal. Tasks include getting wood for the fire, cutting
winter vegetables, toasting cheese, mulling cider, preparing roast pork
and chicken fricassee, stuffing and cooking sausage, producing Marlborough
Pudding and either a 'Lincoln' or a 'Washington' cake, and roasting coffee
over the fire to be served with wafers and whipped cream for dessert.
When all the elements of the dinner are ready, participants will sit down
to enjoy the meal together, and listen to historical interpretation and
anecdotes. At the end of the meal, all who enjoy this experience will take
away
recipes, known as "receipts" in 19th century America, for the hearty
dishes they have made. According to Mrs. Harrington, participants at
these events "arrive as strangers and leave as friends!", often sharing
their 21st century email addresses to update each other about their own
successes with hearth cooking back at home.
The price per participant for the program and dinner is $79 and $69 for
those staying at the inn, which was built in 1811. Each program lasts from
5 to 9 p.m. on selected Saturdays. Check out our
calendar for specific dates. Lodging rates and room availability can
be found on the Centennial House website,
www.thecentennialhouse.com.
We anticipate great turnout for these events, so please reserve early.
HearthFelt
