Early-afternoon brunch en plein air with fall leaves drifting lazily to the forest floor…a sunset dinner on the wetland overlook set to a serenade of spring peepers…indulgent desserts in the Native Plant Nursery’s lush greenhouse. These delights are what winners of Adkins Arboretum’s Native Table raffles can anticipate.
Beginning this spring, the Arboretum will hold two Native Table raffles annually. Winners will receive a seasonal dining experience for 20 inspired by the Arboretum’s wild edibles. Only 100 tickets will be sold per raffle, with proceeds used to support the Arboretum’s mission of conserving the Chesapeake Bay region’s native landscapes.
The winner of the first Native Table raffle will receive Brunch Under the Branches, a decadent brunch for 20 catered by chef Steve Konopelski of Turnbridge Point Bed & Breakfast. Guests will indulge in offerings inspired by the field and forest, including wild onion frittata, banana and black walnut muffins, sassafras sweet tea, highbush blueberry cobbler, and field greens garnished with wood sorrel in a sumac vinaigrette.
Konopelski is a classically trained pastry chef and couture wedding cake designer who graduated at the top of his class from the prestigious French Culinary Institute. A former Broadway performer, he infuses his creations with passion and artistry. His love of performing and ability to connect with people have made Konopelski a popular teacher whose love of teaching is almost matched by his love of baking. Konopelski and his husband, Rob Griffith, own and operate Turnbridge Point, an upscale bed and breakfast and event venue in Denton.
Brunch Under the Branches will be held under the Arboretum’s new education pavilion on Sun., Sept. 18 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Ticket sales are underway and will end on Thurs., June 30 or when all 100 tickets are sold. The winner will be selected by a random drawing on Fri., July 1. Tickets may be purchased at adkinsarboretum.org or by calling 410-634-2847, ext. 0. for more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org.
Photo courtesy of Steve Konopelski
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