On June 4, Laurey Masterton took a trip to the White House to take part in a coalition of chefs that were invited to join in a nationwide dialogue about Michelle Obama’s ‘Chefs Move to Schools’ program. To spread the word about what the program means to her, Masterton held one of her fantastic market dinners—intimate events where she serves food that she buys from the farmers across the street at the Wednesday French Broad Food Co-op Tailgate Market.
At this particular dinner, Masterton served roasted local chicken, a Thai-influenced cucumber salad, bread from Farm and Sparrow and a side dish of zepher squash and young green beans.
Masterton talked briefly about the importance of visiting farmers markets, detailing a conversation that she had with a young farmer.
“I said to one of the farmers that we buy from regularly, ‘What do you want me to tell people? What’s important?’” said Masterton. “One of the women said, ‘Tell people to buy their weekly groceries at the at the Wednesday afternoon (French Broad) tailgate market.”
Masterton says that we’re blessed to have as many markets in this area as we do. “It’s really remarkable,” she says. Because of these markets, we get to keep farms instead of housing developments, but it really, really matters to these people if you buy what they’re making and growing.”
A portion of the proceeds from the dinner were donated to the Wednesday French Broad Tailgate market. Masterton also displayed a poster made by Blue Barnhouse, a West Asheville company that makes quality letterpress goods. All of the proceeds from the sales of the poster, which commemorate the tenth anniversary of the FBFC Tailgate Market go directly toward promotion of the market. You can purchase the poster at the Wednesday FBFC Tailgate Market for $10, or through the Farm and Sparrow Facebook page.
Masterton also detailed her trip to the White House, discussing the ‘Chefs Move to Schools’ program and her role in heading the local effort. Xpress’ Jake Frankel was on hand to capture the moment. The video is below.
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