The entire evening was punctuated with the clink of glassware as waves of cheers washed around the table, guests drawn together in good conversation until the sunlight faded and the lights of the nearby inn washed over the lawn.

During cocktail hour, we were given the unique chance to step back from our end of the food chain, all the way to the source, through a live butchering demonstration in the barn. With a cocktail in hand, everyone in attendance was able to watch the craft of whole animal butchery unfold in front of them — moments before sitting down to try the results at the table.