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Join us as we explore the foodways of the northeastern reaches of Tennessee and the southwestern reaches of Virginia. Bristol, which straddles the two states and is known as the birthplace of country music, will be our headquarters.
We begin on THURSDAY EVENING with an Infield Supper at Bristol Motor Speedway. We’ve got all-access passes to the pits and permission to run cars on the high bank oval. We’ll enjoy hickoried sandwiches from Larry Proffitt’s fabled Ridgewood Barbecue, and brown whiskey.
FRIDAY means morning expeditions. Among the choices are trout cleaning and cookery, a winery tour, a pickle beancooking class by Sheri Castle, and a barbecue pit tutorial by Larry Proffitt. But first a Fred Sauceman lecture on local food and music. And a breakfast of stack cakes, from Jill Sauceman’s family recipe. Lunch is at the Burger Bar, where Hank Williams ate his last meal. We’ll hear a talk by Ted Olson on the Bristol Sessions. Come evening we tour a photography exhibit by Larry Smith and attend a re-staging of the “Farm and Fun Radio Hour.” At the Bristol Train Station, we’ll enjoy a trout supper, prepared by Sean Brock, a native of nearby Wise, Virginia, now cooking at McCrady’s in Charleston, South Carolina.
SATURDAY starts with a butterscotch pie breakfast from Blackbird Bakery. And a trip to the Abingdon, Virginia, Farmers Market with Anthony Flaccavento of Appalachian Sustainable Development. Following is a history tour of the Barter Theater. And our annual Anson Mills lunch, cooked by Karen Urie and John Shields of Town House in nearby Chilhowie, Virginia, served at Anthony Flaccavento’s farm. That night we travel to the Carter Fold, the cradle of American folk music. We’ll eat soup beans and chicken salad, prepared by the descendants of Mother Maybelle Carter. And homemade chocolate cake. We’ll dance to the Larkin Family band. Back at home, we’ll toast the weekend with a down home digestif of herbal Dr. Enuf and moonshine.
Cost for the weekend is $285 for members, $315 for nonmembers, inclusive of all lectures and meals.
