Some of my friends who are members of the Nashville chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International reached out to me this week to let me know they hadn’t yet sold out of picnic baskets for their upcoming Dame Fine Picnic. That will take place this Friday, Sept. 12, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Centennial Park during Musician’s Corner's Americana Night.
That really surprised me, because I knew I’d written about it last month, sharing what an incredible deal this looked like and how it supported such a good cause. And sure enough, I had written it up. But there the story was, just sitting unsent in my drafts folder.
The upcoming season will kick off with the three-day Free Fest on Labor Day weekend
My bad.
But it’s not too late for you to take advantage of this amazing deal and help support Les Dames and their great works in Nashville. Below is what I wrote last month.
The wonderful group of women in the hospitality industry who go by Les Dames d’Escoffier Nashville have a fundraiser planned for Friday, Sept. 12, from 5 until 7 p.m. in conjunction with Musicians Corner in Centennial Park. A Dame Fine Picnic will offer the chance to purchase a curated picnic basket for two featuring dishes from some of the best culinary talent in town, including Trisha Yearwood, Maneet Chauhan, Cafe Roze, Margot Cafe, Bloomsbury Farm, City House and others.
Only 125 baskets will be assembled, and since so many people have stepped up to help, each basket will be an assortment of different dishes — hopefully you won't need a wheelbarrow to carry your bounty to your picnic blanket. Among those confirmed to be participating in the basket assembly are: Trisha Yearwood, Maneet Chauhan, 8th & Roast Coffee, Aloha Fish Company, Bear Creek Farm, Belle & Bottle, Belle Meade Winery, Biscuit Love, Bloomsbury Farms, Cafe Cheeserie, Cafe Roze, Charpiers Bakery, City House, Conrad Nashville, Cookie Fix, The Corner Market, D’Andrews Bakery, Dozen Bakery, Etch, Goo Goo Cluster, Hattie Jane’s Creamery, Mama Blanche, Margot Cafe, Mary Bobos, Nicky’s Coal Fired, Pastabilities, Prince’s Hot Chicken, Saturated Ice Cream, Thistle Farms and Triple Crown Bakery.
Attendees can enjoy their picnic at the show, which happens to be Americana Night, featuring a really impressive roster of talent. Here's the lineup:
Ahead of AMERICANAFEST, we talk with multiple awards nominee MJ Lenderman, run down our favorite shows and much more
5 p.m.: The Carlile Family Band
6 p.m.: Pert Near Sandstone
7 p.m.: Joy Clark
8 p.m.: Lockeland Strings with guests Amanda Shires, The Band Loula, Esther Rose and Kacy Hill
You can also purchase your basket in advance, pick it up between 5 and 7 at the Dames dedicated booth in the park to take home for a delightful Saturday supper. The cost of a basket for two is $92.41, and considering the limited number available, I wouldn’t wait long to reserve your meals!
In case you still need some convincing, I managed to sneak a peek at the menu of contributions these amazing women are splitting up among the baskets. I don’t see how you can go wrong with any of them!
Menu
Starters
Island-Style Ceviche, Aloha Fish Company
Whipped Paneer, Chauhan Ale and Masala House
Spelt Focaccia, Dozen Bakery
Whipped Labne & Fennel Jam, Cafe Roze
Homegrown Crudité, Bloomsbury Farm
Mini Pain au Chocolat, Laminated Biscuit With 18-Hour Apple Butter, Buttermilk Ranch
Fresh Herb Boursin, Biscuit Love
Nicky’s Giardinera, Nicky’s Coal Fired
Lynchburg Candied Apples, Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House
Salads
Latin Watermelon/Coconut Tortilla Whip, Etch
Fresh Fruit & a Mint Syrup, Corner Market
Herb Tortellini Salad, Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery
Pasta Salad, Thistle Farms and Pastabilities
Mains
Black Bean & Corn Chicken Salad, Prince’s Hot Chicken
Petite Rolls, Charpier’s Bakery
Roast Beef Focaccia Slider (Slow-Roasted Bear Creek Beef, Roasted Garlic and Herb Focaccia, Whipped Feta, Giardiniera, Arugula, 8th & Roast in collaboration with Bear Creek Farm
Special Guests
Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk
French Macaron, D’Andrews Bakery
Stuffed Crust Spanakopita, Turkey & the Wolf
Dessert Box
Campfire Cowboy BonBon, Goo Goo Cluster
Honey Marshmallow Sandwich & Cornmeal Buttermilk Cookies, City House
Salted Butter Caramel, Cocorico French Bakery and Cafe
Sweet & Salty Mix, The Conrad
Coconut Macarons, Triple Crown Bakery
Take-Home Coffee
Frothy Monkey
Beverages
Cranberry & Candied Ginger Lemonade, Cafe Cheeserie
Bottled water, Belle & Bottle
Selling on Site
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich Collaboration (brown sugar blondie vanilla ice cream sandwich), Hattie Jane’s Creamery and Cookie Fix
