by Stephen Willson, Gracie’s Front of House Manager
Gracie’s has some very special dinners for the month of October. This is the month where we celebrate the harvest, hoodies, falling leaves, and fire pits. Join us at Gracie’s to experience the most beautiful flavors of autumn… and know that we’re bringing in some incredibly talented friends to help us out.
First up, join us on Monday, October 3rd, for another magical Star Chef dinner. This time, there won’t just be three Star Chefs; there will be five! Our favorite chefs from New Hampshire will be in the house to share their autumn inspirations in the form of a five-course harvest dinner with wine pairings and passed hors d’oeuvres. Gracie’s is beyond excited about this incredible culinary lineup.
Chef Evan Mallett will be joining us for his fifth year as a visiting Star Chef. Chef Mallett is Executive Chef and Owner of The Black Trumpet Bistro and Stock + Spice Market in Portsmouth, NH. In 2011, 2013, and 2014 Evan was named as a James Beard semi-finalist for Best Chef, Northeast. He sits on the boards of Chef’s Collaborative, Slow Food Seacoast, and the Heirloom Harvest Project, an initiative to join farmers, chefs, and educators to identify and restore a food system native to the greater NH Seacoast. This is a chef who walks the walk and talks the talk. This is a man who has devoted his culinary career to sustainability and a mission to educate and elevate awareness for the real native foods of New England.
We are also honored to have Chef Patrick Soucy, Hampton Falls, NH, joining the culinary team. Chef Soucy’s knowledge and talents extend far beyond the kitchen. He is not only a celebrated chef but a serious farmer as well. As Executive Chef of New England’s largest and oldest apple orchard, Soucy is proficient in the what, where, why, and how of New England agriculture. He tends his own garden. His intimate connection between earth and plate perpetuates a genuine understanding of place and season, and food that tells a story.
Be excited about Chef Matt Louis of Moxy and The Franklin Oyster House in Portsmouth, NH! This James Beard Award finalist and Per Se pioneer combines New England flavors with culinary techniques refined at some of the top restaurants in the world. Chef Louis is a New Hampshire native, who, after years of refining his skills on all ends of the country, has returned to his home, much to the excitement of the food scene.
These three chefs will collaborate with Gracie’s chefs Melissa Denmark and Matthew Varga for a celebration of New England and the harvest time. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased here: http://bit.ly/OctStarChef.