Where do I begin? From the minute I received my invitation I knew the evening would be a fun one filled with exquisite cuisine and captivating entertainment but I did not honestly expect to be caught up in feelings of, well, EUPHORIA! However, as soon as I set foot in the Fire Garden property, I sensed the night would be a special one, filled with whimsical surprises & adventures.
If you have a special event coming up, I highly recommend the Fire Garden as the locale. As we explored the grounds, we kept discovering more and more unique & incredible finds tucked away throughout the property. You should have seen my face as we stumbled upon serene meditation hide-outs, vintage pianos standing tall a midst the wildlife, a free-standing canopy bed straight out of a fairy tale and fully lit chandeliers hanging from the tree tops! Amazing!
Pictured Above: Tony D’Aula, Owner, Fire Garden
As daylight dimmed:
Pictured Above: Mesmerizing DJ Frances
Pictured Above: Culinary Genius, Chef Evan Rumble
After much exploration, we settled into our seats for dinner and were in for further happy treats. The menu, which was displayed on each table, promised much, much, enjoyment for the evening. As everyone got comfortable at their tables, we got the marvelous pleasure of hearing from Barbara Cole Gates, the founder and director of non-profit Lean and Green Kids, which proceeds benefited. Barbara spoke of the importance of sharing passion for plant-based eating with children for a happier and healthier future. I couldn’t agree more!
Next up? Fascinating performances from the Shimmy Sisters & Charmed Life Entertainment! I was pretty entranced throughout the performances. Words and photos really can’t do the experience justice, that is how remarkable is was: a mix of fire and belly dancing with stunning hoop and snake work.
The dinner itself was everything I could have imagined and much, much, more. Evan Rumble and Sally Yu put together a gorgeous meal from organic, exotic & sustainable ingredients (many from local grocer Jimbo’s) that captivated all my senses and enthralled my palate. Go on, take a journey through all the courses:
Goddess Salad:
Seaweed Salad, Sesame Oil, Onion, Fresh Ginger, Hiziki, Tamari, Cayenne, Artichoke Heart, Crisped Flax Seeds, Bee Pollen, Summer Flower,Goddess Dressing, LOVE.
Longevity Soup:
Grape-seed Oil, Shallot, Shitake Mushroom, Onion, Burdock Root, Dandelion Root, Lyceum Berries, Fo-ti, Fresh Ginger Root, Ginseng Root, Ginkgo Tincture, Miso Paste, Buddha Palm, Fresh Basil, Summer Flower, LOVE.
Beet Rav Mushub:
Beet Ravioli: Beets, Cashew Cheese, Pickled Figs, Mushroom Buerre Blanc: Earth Balance, Ox-Tongue Mushroom, Ginseng Root, Almond Cream, Lemon Zest, Fresh Ground Pepper, Summer Flower, Spirulina, LOVE.
Pow Tow:
Portobello Mushroom, Home-Made Garlic Chicken, Fresh Garlic, Ginger Root, Chili Paste, Sea Salt, Crisped Rice Noodle, Onion, Lush Sprouts, Olive Oil, Zucchini, Lemon Balm Miso Dressing, Amazon Mustard, Summer Flower, Love.
Figacio:
Bruleed Figs, Pistachio Ice Cream, Chocolate-Covered Kale, Summer Fruit, Raspberry Puree, Agave Nectar, LOVE.
As shown on the menu, the constant ingredient throughout each and every single one of the courses is love, which is so appropriate because I truly loved them all!
I cannot express enough what a great time I had at this event, everything from the cuisine & performances to the company & ambiance was pure beauty + magic.
The evening was a portal to euphoria!
Parting Thought (imprinted on menu): “Everyone should consider their body as a priceless gift from one whom they love above, a marvelous work of art, of indescribable beauty, and mystery beyond human conception, and so delicate that a word, a breath, a look, nay, a thought may injure it.” ~ Nikola Cesla
