Labor Day weekend was a series of glorious Maine days, with sun, wind, and kick-ass food, culminating in Sunday night's 'Deathmatch Forage.' As usual, the food and the company were both spectacular. Sadly, I don't have an official menu (they weren't printed the night of), so I can't provide a rundown of the ingredients. But, given that the theme of the evening was food and drink that were personally grown, foraged, or killed by the chefs, or someone they each knew personally, it was an amazing example of the bounty of our local ecosphere (and beyond-- there was salt from Hawaii!).

My favorite dishes were the opening course, which was a pork-o-licios concoction of pulled pork, pork belly, head cheese, and kale, and the deceptively smooth corn chowder with smoked duck. Everything was fabulous, though, and each course provided a new and surprising flavor profile. Thanks to Johnny D for the take-home pile-o-seaweed, and of course to Jon and Joe for their hosting excellence.

The media attention, including professional photography, was fun too-- Maine Home + Design sent a journalist who seemed equally interested in the food and the many characters in attendance. Plus, there was a puppy. What a night!

On a personal note, I am still hoping to find the time for a blog redesign, although it's receding into the distance somewhat, as school has started and the rigor of cite checking has reared its time-consuming head.