A grand farm-to-table dinner featuring local foods prepared by noted Wilmington chefs is scheduled 6-10 p.m. March 22 at historic Poplar Grove Plantation on U.S. 17 just north of Wilmington.

“Raise The Barn,” organized by Feast Down East, is billed as the inaugural farm dinner and benefit to support local farms and fisheries.

The “elegant yet comfortable affair” begins with cocktails and a silent auction in the main plantation house, followed by a stroll around the grounds to enjoy food, dancing and other activities throughout the evening, Feast Down East officials reported. The band L Shape Lot will perform.

The tapas-style dinner will include gourmet creations from chef Keith Rhodes of Catch, James Doss of Rx and Pembroke’s, Jessica Cabo of CAM Café at Cameron Art Museum, Brent Poteat of 22 North, Craig Love of Surf House Carolina Beach and Ryan Andress of University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Campus Dining, according to Feast Down East.

Cooks will use local ingredients.

Sugar Island Bakery, formally Sugar on Front, will supply desserts. Brown Dog Coffee Company roasters will provide brews.

An open bar will feature local beers and wines, plus a specialty cocktail infused with locally grown Newberry’s blueberries.

The agenda also includes a live auction, wagon rides until sunset and a photo booth.
Tickets cost $80 per person or two for $150, and may be purchased online at www.feastdowneast.org or by calling 962-7105. Sponsorship packages are also available. For more information, contact Jane Steigerwald at [email protected] or 962-7105.

Proceeds benefit the nonprofit work of Feast Down East and will help the organization obtain a much needed refrigerated truck to deliver fresh local farm food to all socioeconomic communities, Feast Down East officials said.