Blackberry Farm Summer Newsletter 2015

SEASONAL NEWS & NOTES ~ Summer 2015

G AT H E R R O U N D This is my last Summer before my firstborn goes off to college. As you might imagine, this milestone has Mary Celeste and me flipping through old photo albums, reliving our favorite Summer traditions and resolving to squeeze the most out of these next few months. One thing’s for sure: this season has a special power to bring us all together. Kids, grandparents, cousins, friends. In between the lacrosse camps, sleepovers and swim lessons, somehow we all end up around the table or on the porch. Over the years, guests have told me some of your best family moments happen here on our property too.

I love to see families and friends return Summer after Summer to savor your own Blackberry traditions. Some of you like to come for our classic holiday celebrations—Fourth of July and Labor Day—and enjoy a week packed with fireworks, music, cookouts and adventure. Some of you prefer quiet, lazy days of garden tours, go-fish tournaments on the porch, long, glorious dinners in The Barn and plenty of naps by the pool. I’d be hard-pressed to pick a favorite, myself, but I have to say I love the chance to spend Summer days outside with my family.

With some exciting developments on the horizon, this Summer’s a great time to do just that. Our new pool opens on July 1 and will be the perfect place to cool off after a morning ride or spend an afternoon with a book. Our refreshed Camp Blackberry experience promises more fun adventures for kids than ever, including a new excursion series for your older ones. And I’ve heard nothing but good things ever since our newest restaurant, The Dogwood, began serving relaxed, family-style dinners at the Main House this Spring. I look forward to you experiencing it on the official opening, July 3rd.

Wow, not sure I have ever felt such excitement for what has occurred over the last five months, what is currently underway and what is in the future! Too much to say, too little space. Just visit our website to get the scoop, plus a timeline and more details. Summer in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is not to be missed—come and see for yourself this Summer!

Sam Beall, Proprietor

A TASTE OF SUMMER When Summer rolls in at Blackberry Farm, we start the day with big outdoor adventures and finish it with long, satisfying dinners. But most importantly, we spend Summer together. From family reunions to long weekends with friends to Fourth of July cookouts, Summer at Blackberry is all about being with the people you love most. It’s one of our favorite seasons to introduce new things—like our new Seasonale beer series. This quarterly collection of seasonally-inspired saisons kicks off with our Summer Saison, releasing just in time for you to share a glass or two at the farm with us this Summer.

C HEERS TO G OO D N E WS

To find our handcrafted beer in locations near you, check out blackberryfarm.com/brewery.

And stay tuned…we should have the quantity to allow us to bring Blackberry Farm beer even closer to your home soon.

A Table for Sharing Chef Sarah Steffan knows that the table brings everyone together.

Especially in the South.

R

aised on a farm, Sarah was involved in every step of the meal—from milking goats to planting gardens to cooking with fresh, farm-grown ingredients. She learned that every dish served at the table had a story worth honoring. When Sarah decided to become a chef, she took this philosophy with her, from Le Cordon Bleu to Relais & Chateaux kitchens like The Point and Fearrington House and, finally, to Blackberry Farm. Line cook, pastry chef, sous chef—Sarah tackled every position in our kitchens before becoming Chef de Cuisine of our Dogwood restaurant this Spring. Her experience and passion for honest food makes her the perfect chef to open our second restaurant, The Dogwood.

Tucked in the Main House—where our signature Southern hospitality first began—The Dogwood serves up a more relaxed menu featuring classic Southern entrees, family-style sides and an authentically Southern selection of cocktails and curated whiskeys. Open daily until 10 p.m. and casual enough for any attire, our new restaurant invites you to wander in for a drink and stay for dinner.

And if a few chairs need to be added to your party as friends drop in to join you, we won’t be surprised. The draw of a Southern table on a warm night is hard to resist.

Humbled Honored

&

Blackberry Farm brings home another James Beard Award.

Humbled is one word for how we felt at this year’s James Beard Award ceremony. Astonished is another. Our team from The Barn was surprised to win the 2015 James Beard Award for Outstanding Service—our third James Beard award in as many years. For us, service has never been something we do—it’s who we are. It’s the natural expression of Southern hospitality. So we couldn’t be more proud of our entire hardworking team for earning Blackberry this rare distinction.

This James Beard recognition is a milestone moment for us. We are humbled and privileged to be celebrated as one of the country’s most unique culinary experiences. But we’re even more excited to keep doing what we’ve loved doing over the last few decades: sharing genuine hospitality with our guests. That’s the real honor. We hope you’ll join us in congratulating our team and celebrating in The Barn this Summer.

ARTISAN PROFILE

SECRETS from the GARDEN

Seasoned

by Time

B

MASTER GARDENER JOHN COYKENDALL, FARMSTEAD EDUCATOR JEFF ROSS AND GARDEN MANAGER MIKE WASHBURN FILL US IN ON THEIR SUMMER GARDENING FAVORITES.

orn and raised just down the road from Blackberry Farm in Maryville, TN, David Rule grew up spending time on his grandparents’ hog farm. His early passion for food told him he would pursue a career in culinary arts one day. Sure enough, he went on to become a chef, starting at Blackberry as a line cook in 2007.

He then held several top positions at local restaurants before he returned to Blackberry Farm.

Today, he leads our butchery and charcuterie program, always looking to his Appalachian roots for inspiration.

Like our other artisans, David enjoys exploring his craft in all four seasons, but Summer just might be his favorite.

Why? Because one of the best ways to experience beautifully-cut, locally raised meat is to lay it on the grill and let the fire bring out the flavor.

Q Q Q Q ONE TIP FOR NOVICE GARDENERS TACKLING A GARDEN THIS SUMMER?

DAVID’S GRILLING ESSENTIALS Our Grilling Collection bundles our chefs’ favorites for great grilling. An amazing sauce isn’t enough—you need bright, fresh condiments to balance the flavors and round out your summer spread. The collection includes: Bread & Butter Pickles, J&S Barbecue Sauce, Barbecue Rub, Three Sisters Succotash and Chow-Chow.

John: “Begin with good amended soil. Add a good compost to work or till into the garden.”

Mike: “New gardeners, stagger your plantings. You can’t eat it all at once.”

Jeff: “Start small and simple. Choose ingredients you will use in the kitchen every day: parsley, basil, rosemary, mint and cherry tomatoes.

Work your way up to the tricky plants.”

YOU HAVE FRESH PICKED BERRIES...ARE YOU GONNA MAKE COBBLER OR PIE?

WHY DO YOU LOVE GARDENING?

WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT THE GARDENS AT BLACKBERRY FARM?

Jeff: “How about a mash-up of them both?

A French clafoutis is a quick dessert that can do double-duty for a festive brunch. Grease up the cast iron skillet and get going!”

John: “It is my way of life. If everyone gardened, shrinks would be out of a job.”

Mike: “Our gardeners are so diverse…yet we all find common ground out in the fields.”

FIRST

Vacationing with the ones you love most has never looked better.

Or been easier. We’ve thought of everything you need for the perfect Summer trip.

THE ACCOMMODATIONS This is the year to make good on all those game nights, Summer vacations and family dinners you’ve been talking about. During Family Time (Memorial Day through Labor Day), you’ll enjoy everything you love about Blackberry—plus special activities for your kids—at our family rates. Call 800.557.8451 for details.

THE ACTIVITIES Our Camp Blackberry is always a blast for kids. We fill their days with action-packed activities, while you spend a little time relaxing. But Camp Blackberry isn’t just for your little ones. This Summer, we’re launching our exciting new Youth Excursion Series to give kids ages 10–17 some thrilling adventures of their own, such as archery, fly-tying, hiking and rock climbing.

THE NEW POOL It wouldn’t be a quintessential Summer vacation without a splash in the pool. We’re putting the last touches on our new pool, and we can’t wait to share it with you when it opens on July 1. Carefully sited on the FarmStead, the new family pool will feature great views, light fare, a spacious bath house, a grill area and a splash pad for interactive water play. Of course, there will be plenty of comfy lounge chairs, if your idea of a swim is the occasional dip between naps.

the Beall kids’ best of Summer After growing up on the farm, the Beall kids have discovered their favorite ways to enjoy Summer at Blackberry. Cameron, Josephine, Rose and Sam Beall sat down to share their tips with you.

Best spot on the farm:

“Dinner in the Yallarhammar.”

– Josephine & Cameron Best Summer treat:

“Chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches!” – Rose Best ways to spend Summer:

“Lacrosse, swimming, fly-fishing, canoeing in the little river, hiking.”

– Sam & Cameron Best thing about Summer:

“No school! More time with family!”

– Josephine Best part of July 4th at Blackberry:

“Helping Dad make barbecue for the cookoff against the chefs, and the fireworks are amazing!” – Sam Best Summer memory:

“Cooking classes with Ms. Helen.” – Rose Want to help your kids make their own Summer memories at Blackberry? Our Reservations team would love to help you plan a family stay this season.

READY

TO RIDE! SEPT. 20–23

CLIP IN THE BLACKBERRY FARM PRO-AM CLASSIC KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 20–23.

In the past, our Fall Tour de Smokies cycling camp has always been a hit with avid cyclists and pro athletes alike, but this year, we’re amping up the energy. If you like playfully competitive rides, amazing cuisine and great wine as much as we do, you’ll want to clear your calendar for our biggest cycling event of the year: the inaugural Blackberry Farm Pro-Am Classic.

NEW IN THE SADDLE:

EDDIE SLOAN CYCLING MANAGER

PRO ATHLETES

Guests will team up with retired pro athletes like George Hincapie, Christian Vande Velde, Robbie Ventura and Craig Lewis in a unique environment, with prizes awarded to King of the Mountain and Best Sprinter.

FULL CYCLING SUPPORT

You’ll have access to a fleet of Lexus SAG vehicles, individual physical testing

by Provisions, bike support, expert bike fitting, express muscle treatments by The Wellhouse massage team, custom event jerseys and more.

AMAZING FOOD & WINE

We’ll wrap up each exhilarating day with remarkable dinners and wine pairings by our award-winning Blackberry Farm wine team and our friends Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey and Chef Lachlan MackinnonPatterson of Frasca Food & Wine.

SLOTS WILL FILL UP AFTER THIS MAILING, SO BE SURE TO CALL OUR RESERVATIONS TEAM TO RESERVE YOURS.

After working as a cycling fit specialist and mechanic for over a decade, Eddie Sloan was named Blackberry Farm’s Cycling Manager in March.

His passion for the sport helps cyclists ride at their very best.

Today, Eddie is responsible for maintaining and growing our world-class cycling program.

COOL OFF Kids and adults alike can’t get enough of our water adventures. Canoeing and kayaking, the classic favorites, can be tailored to suit any pace, while stand-up paddleboarding gives you a chance to explore the waters of Tennessee from a new vantage point—and cool off with the inevitable splash or two. And stay tuned for our newest activities: water skiing, wake boarding and fishing!

ADVENTURE MONTH Summer nights give us plenty of time for porch-sittin’. During the day, we’re all about squeezing the most fun out of the season.

We’ve dubbed July ‘Adventure Month,’ and we’ve filled each day with high-energy activities like cycling workshops, paddleboarding classes, hiking and birding. Or, if shooting is what gets your heart racing, you’ll enjoy our new 12-station sporting clay course—featuring fine Beretta shotguns and two signature stands with an incredible view of an old marble mine. Plan a weekday stay with us during July and enjoy a few of our complimentary activities and adventure clinics!

CALL OUR RESERVATIONS TEAM SOON TO BOOK YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURE.

magic

THIS SUMMER

There’s no single perfect Summer day at Blackberry. There are hundreds of perfect days, made up of a thousand perfect moments.

Maybe it’s the garden fireflies at dusk. Or watermelon juice running down your chin. A sunrise run with the Smokies in view. It’s not hard to fall in love with our farm during these long, lazy days and warm, beautiful nights.

Whether this year brings your first Blackberry visit or your twelfth, we know you’ll make the kind of memories that stay with you long after your Summer tan fades.

S UNRISE

EA R LY M OR N I N G

LU N C H

L ATE A F TE R N O O N

D I NNER

Curl up in a rocking chair on the veranda with a cup of coffee to watch the sun rise over the Smokies.

Breathe deeply with a refreshing outdoor yoga class in the cool green woods.

Take a perfectly packed boxed lunch for a hike on property.

Tour the garden and taste a few heirloom tomatoes while the kids go kayaking.

Enjoy a Southern dinner in The Barn before a slow, moonlit stroll around property.

LOO KI N G AHEA D SMOKY MOUNTAIN TABLE August 2–5

This incredible hands-on experience takes you through the garden, dairy, butchery, preservation kitchen and creamery where you’ll work with the artisans before each day culminates with group meals and wine pairings.

BALANCED LIFE AND BODY: FALL INTO YOGA September 13–16

Discover the power of alignment in a retreat that offers yoga classes from Instructor Natasha Rizopoulos focused on alignment and breath.

YO YO YO September 27–30

Award-winning Chef Hugh Acheson and Master Sommelier Richard Betts explore the vibrant flavors and traditions of the Latin cultures in cooking demonstrations, dinners and tastings.

N o. 1 HOTEL FOR FOOD LOVERS

make the most of

FAMILY TIME

They grow up too fast, don’t they? Summer is your chance to slow down and savor the little things with your family, making memories on the farm that you’ll treasure forever. Reserve a Family Time stay through September 2nd and take advantage of our amazing Family Rates.

CALL US TO PLAN YOUR BLACKBERRY STAY.

800.557.8451