It was bluegrass and barbeque at the 13th Annual Garden Party, and nearly 500 people enjoyed cocktails, a down-home dinner by John Serock Catering and berrylicious desserts at the beautiful Springbank Farm.
Community leaders and other friends of the Brandywine Health Foundation flocked to this gathering that precedes the Strawberry Festival and raises funds for the Foundation’s good works. Friendship, fun and fireworks make it special, but it’s the tasty desserts from these culinary stars that make the Battle of the Berries, sponsored by Univest Bank and Trust Co., a yearly highlight:
Amani’s BYOB: Bourbon Molasses Bacon Taco: vanilla tuile, strawberry and pickled rhubarb salsa, avocado whipped cream and micro cilantro
General Warren Inne: Two options—Berry Skewers: grilled strawberries with balsamic BBQ glaze (gluten-free); and Strawberry Lemon Meringue Pie
The Hunt Room at the Desmond: Bread Pudding Cupcake with goji berry frosting and strawberry-guava chocolate truffle
Riverstone Café: Berry Bush: white chocolate mousse, panna cotta, pistachio brittle and Chambord reduction
Station Taproom: Strawberry Ice Cream Cake: chocolate sponge cake, strawberry ice cream, and sweet and spicy strawberry BBQ buttercream
Enthusiastic guests sampled (and, in some cases, sampled again) the fruity offerings and voted with their taste buds. When the last tasty morsel was gone, the crowd had its say: The 2015 People’s Choice Award winner was the General Warren Inne.
The Culinary Excellence Award, sponsored by TheTownDish.com, was chosen by a Celebrity Judge Panel of Terence Farrell, Chester County commissioner; Ken Knickerbocker, Vista Today; Michele Kornegay, content director, TheTownDish.com; and Jamie Lundmark, professional ice hockey forward with KAC in Klagenfurt, Austria. The top nod from this auspicious group went to Amani’s BYOB.
Hungry for more? Grab the family and head on over to the 2015 Strawberry Festival, presented by First Niagara & PECO and benefitting the Coatesville Youth Initiative, which kicks off Thursday, May 28 and runs until Sunday, May 31. Food trucks and carnival-style eats at the international food fair are just part of this huge party on the grounds of Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville. Rides and games; an arts, crafts and vendor fair; the popular used book sale; fun raffles; Strawberry Land for kids; live entertainment; fireworks and more make it a truly special four days of fun. Learn all the details and plan to be there.
Photos: Laura Rainsford Photography
