Dinners at the Farm

I recently enjoyed dinner at Barberry Hill Farm in Madison, and I agree with the two previous five star reviews. There were no political statements, but I’m withholding that fifth star for a couple of reasons. It was difficult to find directions to the farm on the website, a couple of courses were seasoned extremely aggressively, and those benches got a bit painful after almost four hours.
It’s an expensive evening, no question about that. When you factor in that you start with beer, wine, sangria or iced tea at the bar, however, enjoy a variety of passed hors d’oeuvres, participate if you wish in a farm tour, followed by a delicious and beautifully presented six course dinner, it’s money well-​spent. You’re also making a charitable donation.
Our dining companions on either side were delightful. I’m looking forward to returning every year.

A very memorable dining experience. It was fun not knowing what would be on the menu until we arrived at the farm. The tempura appetizers were light, crisp, and an exciting glimpse of what was to come. I really enjoyed the signature seasonal cocktail with peach purée. Each course contrasted and progressed beautifully from the last. The ingredients couldn’t have been more fresh or more expertly prepared. It was fun to have a long communal table to encourage conversation between parties. Before this event I was a little nervous having spent $ 300 dollars on dinner for two, because of the unknown variable of the weather and dining outside. We were lucky with a perfect evening and the cost was well worth it for a good cause.

Buyer Beware!!! Dinners at the Farm prosthelytizes radical religious and political values it’s not just food. See below for email exchanges with the organizer/​chef after my very first and last encounter with this event.
To whom it may concern (River Tavern):
I would like to give you some feedback from our Dinner on the Farm this evening. First let me say, the food was wonderful and the culinary experience was as advertised and worth its cost. However, we were very uncomfortable with the religious overtones of the meal. The farmer started the meal with what can only be called a sermon in which he stated how this was a Christian farm and event, quoted verses from Deuteronomy, described his religious Mission to India and finished most points with references to Jesus as our Lord — all capped off with a Christian grace. The farmer had also complained about how the Obama administration was ruining farming because they could not import «the Jamaicans» to do the work for them. When we purchased this farm based meal we never imagined that this would be a Christian revival type experience. If it is meant to be so then this should be made clear in your advertising. I am Jewish and my wife is Jamaican — so you can imagine how uncomfortable we felt regarding his behavior and the implicit approval by the chef and staff. Again, the food was fantastic and if the experience had been limited to what the website advertises — helping local farms and have a great dinner — then it would have been memorable for only that.
Sincerely, DM
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From: River Tavern

Cc:
;

Sent: Monday, October 1, 2012 1:58 PM
Thank you for your note. I’m not sure where to start. Winston Scott is a Christian. You are Jewish. I am agnostic. Your wife is Jamaican. What does it matter? Just as I’m sure that aspects of your life are informed and defined by your religion or other cultural imprints so too is Winston’s approach to farming, business and philanthropy. To criticize him for humbly explaining how his faith underlies his philosophy tells me that you have been trapped by your own political correctness. You end up undermining your own argument for tolerance and respect. There was no element of proselytizing or coercion in his words — just a farmer — and your host — talking about why he does what he does. To discuss his life and work without reference to what guides him would be meaningless. As to «the Jamaicans», they have lived and worked together for 22 years. The Scott’s visit them in Jamaica frequently and they consider each other family. I can assure you that Winston feels nothing but respect and kinship with Desmond, Francis and their colleagues. As I said at the dinner, I have nothing but respect and admiration for a family that works so hard and does so much for others. That commitment should be celebrated. That is the real point of Dinners at the Farm.
Best, Jonathan Rapp [River Tavern]
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Jonathan,
Thank you for your response. However, I strongly disagree with your assessment of the situation — to remark that background, culture and sensitivities don’t matter in the US and to sweep them under the «political correctness» rug is a sound bite answer to a complicated issue. I have never been considered a «politically correct» person. But when the my inspiration for my work is grounded in my personal beliefs and if these beliefs are a historically divisive issue (as is religion — just ask the Founders of our country, or politics for that matter) then I keep that to myself when delivering that service. When I go to the doctor I don’t expect to have him explain his religious (or political) beliefs to me and his personal relationship with Jesus, Buddha or any other deity in order to receive top quality care. The same is true when I get my car fixed, have my plumbing repaired, go to the post office or to the supermarket. Each of these people have a faith that drives them to their work and one that infuses their decisions — whether that be Greek Orthodox, Pentecostal, Hindu or agnostic like yourself. I am criticizing his choice to share these beliefs as part of the delivery of a service (in this case a wonderful farm dinner) and your choice to ignore (through lack of disclosure) the impact that this has on others.
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Unlike the other reviewer, I fully agree with Jonathan Rapp of the River Tavern.
When somebody invites you to their home for a meal, they can say pretty much whatever they damn well please. Regardless of whether you paid or not, you are still a guest at their dinner table. Now you don’t have to necessarily agree with everything said, but as a grown adult you are expected to distinguish between somebody’s personal opinion and an organization’s sanctioned mantra. Plus, common sense dinner etiquette says you just smile when somebody is talking and don’t raise a big stink about what is said. Now if the guy was talking about getting naked and preparing for some alien mothership, well then it makes sense to complain. But it doesn’t sound like farmer Winston Scott did that at all.
So the message I’m getting is not buyer beware.
The message I’m getting is Jonathan Rapp deserves a slap on his back. And I will most likely go out of my way to patronize his restaurant The River Tavern in the future. So kudos to Jonathan.
By the way, I have participated in one of these Dinners at the Farm and I have nothing but good things to say about them. The farmers who volunteer go out of their way to invite complete strangers to their farm and dinner table. These farmers are often salt-​of-​the-​earth people so anything they have to say just enhances the overall experience of dining outside under the stars. They take great pride in showcasing their land and the results of their hard labor. It’s unfortunate some pseudo snobby city slickers can’t appreciate the simplicity in that and enjoy an event without stirring up some controversy.