dinner party

when i first contacted farmer jason, looking to work for full moon farms, it was just before this past christmas, i was working on the floor of the new york stock exchange, and i had never set foot into georgia, or much of the south for that matter. i was, however, a man on a mission, and my mind had been made: athens, ga it was, and a month later we drove south.

those weeks in between new york and georgia—wall st to farming, smog to pollen, over crowdedness to fire ants—those weeks were as hectic as any in my life. running around like a mad man, and closing loose ends before getting out of dodge, i had little time to actually research the place i was moving to. one thing her and i distinctly recall discovering during one of our random google sleuthings about our soon-to-be new hometown, was a few articles on a group called the four coursemen: a group of friends serving weekly sustainably and locally sourced five course meals (with wine pairings) out of a jointly owned home outfitted just for the occasion. their resume’s tout all of the area’s finest restaurants, yet you can enjoy their creations in the comfort of their home. while we attended an equally imaginitevly styled surprise pop up restaurant concept last year in nyc, the coursemen’s concept takes on a different effect by bringing it into the home. a nice effect, indeed.

last thursday the four coursemen visited pork chop hill to really get in contact with their ingredients. after a tour of pch, where they met some kinsmen of the pig they would serve me just a few days later, they showed their appreciation for my time by inviting her and i to attend their next dinner.

the spirits were high (emotional, as well as liquid), the food was heartfelt and delicious, and their efforts were inspiring. good friends busting their asses producing excellent plates from already excellent ingredients. the coursemen enjoy themselves so much, you can taste it.

pictured here is my favorite dish: our pork on top of a fried green tomato, served with a sweet slaw, and topped with a fresh blueberry and pork jus reduction. check out their site, linked above, to get on a list for future events.