On a gorgeous Saturday on August 8, 2015, the Cincinnati Bailliage gathered at the farm of Vice Chargé de Missions Clint Haynes and his wife Jean in rural eastern Indiana. This breathtaking 142 acre working farm was the perfect backdrop for a catered lobster dinner and our annual silent wine auction. Members brought a bottle of their best wine and gathered in the Hayne’s large, modern, beautifully decorated “barn” event center where appetizers prepared by Jean and Clint were enjoyed by all. A bonus was a preparation of mussels in an Italian style wine sauce by Chevalier Pat Gaito alongside a more New England preparation of mussels. Most of us liked Pat’s version better!
Kevin Smith and his team from Lobsta Bakes of Maine treated us to a mouthwatering lobster/filet mignon dinner which was followed by a celebration of Vice Chargé de Mission Carmen Park’s birthday with a birthday cake dessert, which she generously supplied. At the end of the evening, George Elliott announced the winners of the silent auction of wines left over from our previous year’s events. A large portion of the money raised went to the Irwin and Barbara Weinberg Culinary Scholarship Fund to benefit students of the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State. What a perfect location for a worthy event!
Graig Smith, Vice Chargé de Presse