CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION FOR HARVEST: AN EXPERIENTIAL DINING EVENT

All photos by Lucy Hewett http://www.lucyhewett.com/

My client commissioned me to create a unique concept to act as the event company’s food and beverage platform. Our goal was to attract attention to LBO Production, showcase all collaborators individually as artists, and create an inspirational, educational, and exciting experience for our attendees.

For this pop-up dinner, I selected a design team // Nitewerk // to create a concept for the evening. Our chef // Marco Bahena of Everest // and beverage director // Mae Governale of Longman & Eagle // followed the concept in creating menus that explored harvest rituals and a light/dark contrast.

This was a sold out event, that created many opportunities for growth for our collaborating artists, farmers, and participants—documentation of the event, including photographs and video, were used for the launch of LBO's event company and portfolio.

Guests strolled the historic Prairie Avenue District as they proceeded to our venue.

Poetry Foundation members read Celestially Auspicious Occasions: Seasons, Cycles, & Celebrations by Donna Henes

Produce was sourced for the menu and design

Antique farm tools were sourced and integrated into the design.

making sure all of our guests have arrived

Floral by Caitlin Kerr of Foxglove Studio

Beverage Director Mae Governale explores the Harvest concept with her drink program

Guests chose light or dark pieces of wheat to guide their dining adventure.

HARVEST

As the balance of day and night shifts and darkness overtakes the light, we gather to celebrate what the earth has bestowed upon us. Embracing all things autumnal and lunar, we explore the rituals that represent the duality of life on this planet, gathering and giving thanks. Join us for a dining experience that examines how we reflect and enjoy the abundance.

Our Venue: The Keith House

Named for the banker and merchant Elbridge Keith, who built the home - the Keith House is one of five remaining original mansions in the heart of the Prairie Avenue Historic District. The thirty-plus room mansion at 1900 S. Prairie Avenue was completed in 1870 and includes a coach house and servants’ quarters. Designed by J.R. Roberts in the Victorian Chateauesque style, the home combines classical and French motifs. The house has been in the same family since 1977, and has been lovingly restored with historical accuracy. In recent decades the residence has been made into several apartments for the current family.

Our Farms

Radical Root, Brockway Farm, Armstrong Farm, Green Acres Farm, Capriole Cheese, Seedling Orchard, Iron Creek Farm

Our Collaborators

Nitewerk, Design Marco Bahena, Chef  Daniel Prepejchal, Sous Chef  Alex Bahena, Chef Assistant  Mae Governale, Beverage Director  Erin Meers, Floor Director  Chris Del Sesto, Video  Carmen Giles, Production Assistant  Caitlin Kerr, Floral  Virginia Aberle, Wall Art  Lucy Hewett, Photography Anne Wells, Chicago Film Archives  Reading by Members of the Poetry Foundation  Keith House Chicago