Reference Information
In this section you will find a significant amount of information which explores further some of the subjects briefly
presented elsewhere here; Where all this comes from
and how it may be of service to you today or in the future. Below are some key links to other websites
which are relevant to gaining a deeper perspective.
"Do not judge by appearances; a rich
heart may be under a poor coat." ~ Scottish Proverb
The Best Dish in North Carolina 2010 Award
Our restaurant "Simplicity at The Mast Farm Inn"
was selected from among hundreds of fine dining restaurants in North
Carolina as one of the Top Ten for
"The Best Dish in
North Carolina 2010 Award"; North Carolina's Official State
Restaurant Competition, presented by The North Carolina Department of
Agriculture & Consumer Services and sponsored by
Our State Magazine.
Click Here to see a detailed page about the award, and our
vendors & suppliers.
The Mast Farm Inn
The Mast Farm Inn has influenced us as a family and as entrepreneurs
in very profound ways because its heritage and legacy is so present,
real and authentic. It is in many ways what we believe in and what we
sought quite actively for some time. It is beyond the customary
facade and glitz of many enterprises. It is not a plastic
and vinyl interpretation of heritage and legacy such as one might find in an
amusement park. It is the real thing, preserved, alive and inspiring. It
presents itself to the world without pomposity or pretense, as it is.
Like with our food, we seek to respect its simple and profound dignity. We attempt to collaborate with what
it is, as it preceded us, and will continue long after us. In this section you will see more
what we mean, how it has inspired us and how it may inspire you.
"With a few flowers in my garden, half a
dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy." ~ Lope de Vega
The Mast Farm Inn School Of Cooking
At The Mast Farm Inn "School Of Cooking" we offer a number of "culinary class
vacation travel packages"
whose descriptions and schedules you will find by
clicking here. If you can take a moment to read what is presented
there you may see it as a good fit. Nothing beats old-fashioned reading
versus billboard images and sound bites and unfortunately we may not know
how to explain the whole thing in a snappy slogan but here goes our best
effort: "Reflect On The Profound Significance, Complexity and
Ultimate Simplicity Of The Egg; Without Turning
It Into A Religion, Adopting A Bit Of The Slow Food Philosophy and
Getting Back To Basics Can Make A Real
Difference In Your Life, and In The Lives Of Those For Whom You Care, For
The Rest Of Your & Their Lives." We offer a time and place where you can
discover or remember some of those things, and get back to more simplicity, in
many ways that can matter a great deal. Hopefully what we present here
can make it worth your while.
"Beauty is all about us, but how many
are blind! They look at the wonder of this earth and seem to see
nothing. People move hectically but give little thought to where they
are going. They seek excitement...as if they were lost and desperate." ~
Pablo Casals
Simplicity
Simplicity is the name of our restaurant at The Mast Farm Inn because
it resumes what we try to the very best of our abilities to do.
In this section You will learn more about
the why and how. Chef Owned & Managed By Mother-Daughter Chef Team Marie-Henriette Deschamps
& Danielle Deschamps; also collectively known
as "The Big Chief & The Little Chief"
"In character, in manner, in style, in all
things, the supreme excellence is simplicity." ~ Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow
Barbara Kingsolver & Alice Waters
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle; A Year of Food Life
This book chronicles the year that Barbara Kingsolver, along with her
husband and two daughters, made a commitment to become locavores–those
who eat only locally grown foods. This first entailed a move away from
their home in non-food-producing Tuscon to a family farm in Virginia,
where they got right down to the business of growing and raising their
own food and supporting local farmers. For teens who grew up on
supermarket offerings, the notion not only of growing one's own produce
but also of harvesting one's own poultry was as foreign as the concept
that different foods relate to different seasons. While the volume
begins as an environmental treatise–the oil consumption related to
transporting foodstuffs around the world is enormous–it ends, as the
year ends, in a celebration of the food that physically nourishes even
as the recipes and the memories of cooks and gardeners past nourish our
hearts and souls.
www.animalvegetablemiracle.com
The
Meadowview Farmers' Guild
The Meadowview Farmers' Guild is a project designed to promote, feature
and celebrate the agriculture of our beautiful region. We are located in
a pair of renovated buildings on Meadowview Square, and house two small
businesses: a local foods restaurant, the Harvest Table, and a general
country store. The Meadowview Farmers’ Guild is helping to make
Meadowview a lively, interesting business location and tourist
destination, with enormous benefits to our local economy. Our businesses
appeal not only to local customers, but also to travelers who seek a
respite from interstate driving or who come to our region as tourists to
discover the unique and wonderful tastes of fresh products from a
farming community.
www.meadowviewfarmersguild.com
The Harvest Table Restaurant
Dorothy said it best: There’s no place like home. We believe the very
best food we can serve you comes from right here in the neighborhood.
Our vegetables are harvested in season by local farmers who don’t use
toxic chemicals because they care about their land and your food. All
our meats are grassfed on the pastures of this region, with no inhumane
confinement, antibiotic feed-enhancements or growth hormones – ever. We
work hard to avoid serving you anything that’s been genetically
modified, packaged in a factory or transported very far. Our suppliers
are farmers, cheesemakers, meat processors and other food artisans we
know by name. Some foods we serve in winter were purchased in season and
preserved here in our kitchen, or by other Farmers Guild participants.
You’ll find more local products in the General Store next door.
www.meadowviewfarmersguild.com
Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse opened its doors in 1971, started by Alice Waters and an
assortment of idealistic friends. A neighborhood bistro named after a
character in Marcel Pagnol's 1930's trilogy of movies (‘Marius,’
‘Fanny,’ and ‘Cesar’), the Restaurant and Café are a homage to the
sentiment, comedy and informality of these classic films. From the
beginning, Alice and her partners tried to do things the way they would
like them done at a dinner party at home. The restaurant, located
downstairs, is open for dinner Monday through Saturday, by reservation
only. The dinner, served in two seatings from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 to
9:30 p.m., has always consisted of only one fixed-price menu, of three
to four courses. The menu changes every night, designed to be
appropriate to the season and composed to show off the finest
ingredients obtainable including meat, fish, and poultry.
www.chezpanisse.com
Alice Walters
"Alice Louise Waters, born 28 April 1944 in
Chatham Borough, New Jersey, is one of the best-known and most
influential American chefs since the 1970s, is credited with
single-handedly creating a culinary revolution in the United States. She
is the founder and co-owner of Chez Panisse, the original "California
Cuisine" restaurant in Berkeley, California, as well as the informal
Cafe Fanny in West Berkeley. A champion of locally-grown and fresh
ingredients, she has been credited with creating and developing
California Cuisine and has written or co-written several books on the
subject, including the influential Chez Panisse Cooking (written with
then-chef Paul Bertolli). She has also promoted organic and small farm
products heavily in her restaurants, in her books, and in her Edible
Schoolyard program at the King Middle School in Berkeley. Her ideas for
"edible education" have been introduced into the entire Berkeley school
system, and with the current crisis in childhood obesity, have attracted
the attention of the national media. Waters advocates eating locally
produced foods that are in season, because she believes that the
international shipment of mass-produced food is both harmful to the
environment and produces an inferior product for the consumer."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Waters
"Simplicity
is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes
and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of
art." ~ Frederic Chopin
Slow Food
You will be hearing a great deal
more about the Slow Food Movement In The Years to come. It is food for
thinking adults who understand something is not right and needs to
change, and are willing to muster the self-discipline to do so. While we
are not part of, or affiliated with, the slow food movement per-se, we
do share and try to put into practice some of its underlying principles. Learn
more about The Slow Food Philosophy and Movement In This
Section. Slow Food is in many ways the "simplicity" beyond the ambient
complexity that Chopin speaks of below. It is eminently appropriate
"food for thought" for the times in which we live.
"Slow Food is also simply about taking the time to slow down and to enjoy
life with family and friends. Every day can be enriched by doing
something slow - making pasta from scratch one night, seductively
squeezing your own orange juice from the fresh fruit, lingering over a
glass of wine and a slice of cheese - even deciding to eat lunch sitting
down instead of standing up."
"The Slow Food
movement was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy as a resistance
movement to combat fast food. It claims to preserve the cultural cuisine
and the associated food plants and seeds, domestic animals, and farming
within an ecoregion. It was the first established part of the broader
Slow movement. The movement has since expanded globally to over 83,000
members in 122 countries."
The
Movement
"Slow Food is good, clean and fair food. We believe that the food we
eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that
does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that
food producers should receive fair compensation for their work, and that
all people should have access to this good and clean food."
"We consider ourselves co-producers, not consumers, because by
being informed about how our food is produced and actively supporting
those who produce it, we become a part of and a partner in the
production process."
"People respond to the growing movement, and the ideas expressed
therein, for many different reasons: some have become tired of eating
the same foods wherever they go across the globe; some have noticed the
degradation of flavor in our food; some are concerned about the health
issues raised by an industrialized food supply; some would like to be
environmental stewards of the land through the food choices they make.
The beauty of Slow Food is that it provides a welcome home for the food
lover, the health seeker, and the environmentalist. With all of these
interests in mind, our mission is to create a robust, active movement
that protects taste, culture and the environment as universal social
values."
"The
Slow Food Movement is a defiant determination to preserve
unprocessed, time-intensive food from being wiped off the culinary map."
~ New York Times Magazine
"Slow Food USA
envisions a future food system that is based on the principles of high
quality and taste, environmental sustainability, and social justice – in
essence, a food system that is good, clean and fair."
"When we shorten the distance—both literal and figurative—that our food
travels to get to us, we are participating in the Slow Food movement.
Slow Food is about coming together as a food community—connecting
producers and co-producers, coming together on the farm, in the market,
and at the table—to create and enjoy food that is good, clean and fair."
"Slow Food is also simply about taking the time to slow down and to enjoy
life with family and friends. Every day can be enriched by doing
something slow - making pasta from scratch one night, seductively
squeezing your own orange juice from the fresh fruit, lingering over a
glass of wine and a slice of cheese - even deciding to eat lunch sitting
down instead of standing up."
"Slow Food has hit a chord with an
international constituency worried about the degradation of the
environment, the unknown hazards of genetically modified foods and the
loss of handcrafted, labor-intensive traditional foods in a globalized
marketplace." - San Francisco Chronicle Magazine
Resources
Valle Crucis
Nestled high in the Appalachian Mountains of
North Carolina is a peaceful rural community that has stayed untouched
over the years.
www.vallecrucis.com
"To find the universal elements enough;
to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning
walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to
be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some
of the rewards of the simple life." ~ John Burroughs
North Carolina
The Appalachian mountain chain runs through the western part of the
state, forming the lush landscape of the region. The Great Smoky
Mountains in southwestern North Carolina are one of the country's top
natural destinations, and visitors can enjoy 250 miles of the
world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway winding through North Carolina's
mountains. Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the state, and at 6,684
feet, it is also the tallest mountain in the eastern United States.
Two-thirds of North Carolina's mountains are covered with hardwood
forests, and in autumn, the over 120 species of trees put on a brilliant
display of color. Some areas of the region see over 30 inches of snow a
year, so skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports are popular
activities. Summers are cool and refreshing with low humidity.
www.visitnc.com
"Follow your bliss and the universe will
open doors for you where there were only walls" ~ Joseph Campbell
Local Markets & Farms
The Watauga County Farmers' Market
The Watauga County Farmers' Market has been in
operation since 1974, and is located at the Horn In The West in Boone,
North Carolina. The market is a direct link between our local farmers
and the consumer.
www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org
Maverick Farms
Maverick Farms formed in spring 2004 to preserve a small farm in the
Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. It operates as an open
laboratory, experimenting with human-scale farming techniques and
traditional food preparation. Maverick Farms works to reclaim the
pleasures of eating and sharing meals in a culture overrun by industrial
agriculture and flavorless food.
www.maverickfarms.com
Lily Patch Farms
Hinckley Family Farm has taken organic growing to another level. The
farm has been certified organic by the North Carolina Crop Improvement
Association. Customers can be sure that the vegetables and herbs they
buy here are free of any chemical residues and additives.
www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org/lists/brad_hinckley
Watauga County Farmers
Would you like to choose from the freshest of produce, baked goods,
and flowers while you talk to the people who have a personal commitment
to their quality?
www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org/lists/views/produce
www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org/lists/views/foods
www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org/lists/views/plants
Local & Regional Organizations
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) is a
nonprofit organization that supports farmers and rural communities in
the mountains of Western North Carolina and the Southern Appalachians by
providing education, mentoring, promotion, web resources, and community
and policy development. Our mission is to create and expand regional
community-based and integrated food systems that are locally owned and
controlled, environmentally sound, economically viable and
health-promoting. Our vision is a future food system throughout the
mountains of North Carolina and the Southern Appalachians that provides
a safe and nutritious food supply for all segments of society; that is
produced, marketed and distributed in a manner that enhances human and
environmental health; and that adds economic and social value to rural
and urban communities
www.asapconnections.org
Appalachian
Sustainable Development
Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) is a not-for-profit
organization working in the Appalachian region of Virginia and
Tennessee. Formed in 1995, ASD focuses on developing healthy, diverse
and ecologically sound economic opportunities through education and
training, and the development of cooperative networks and marketing
systems. Our work encompasses two broad areas: Building a strong local
food system based on organic and sustainable farming and fostering
forest conservation through value-added wood processing and "green
building." ASD links consumers with farmers and producers and provides
hands-on opportunities for learning, advocacy and civic engagement.
www.asdevelop.org
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association's mission is to promote
sustainable agriculture in the Carolinas by inspiring, educating and
organizing farmers and consumers. Our events include Farm & Garden
Tours, On-Farm Dinners and our annual Sustainable Agriculture
Conference. CFSA envisions a regional food system that is good for the
farmer, the consumer and the land
www.carolinafarmstewards.org
North Carolina Farm Fresh
Find North Carolina Farm Fresh products with our search of roadside farm
markets, pick-your-own farms, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
farms. Find North Carolina state-owned farmers markets and community
farmers markets at a location near you
www.ncfarmfresh.com
Goodness Grows
The Goodness Grows General Store is a one stop directory for top-quality
products that are grown, processed, or manufactured in our state by
Goodness Grows in North Carolina members.
www.ncagr.com/markets/gginc/store/index.htm
AgroTourism In North Carolina
Agritourism can be an exciting new adventure for you. Hay rides,
barnyard animals, corn mazes, pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, bird
watching, farm roadside stands, fishing, hunting, camping, pumpkin
patches, value-added products, flowers – let your imagination take you
to your own field of dreams.
www.ncagr.com
Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture
BRWIA is dedicated to empowering women and their families with
resources, education and skills related to farming to overcome economic
and social disparities that create barriers and make their children a
population at-risk. Based in Boone, North Carolina, BRWIA serves members
across the High Country of the state.
www.brwia.org
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' divisions have
responsibilities in regulatory and service areas covering agronomy;
animal health; weights and measures; gas and oil inspection; crop and
livestock statistics; USDA commodity distribution; state farm
operations; food, drug and cosmetic testing for purity; agricultural
marketing and promotion; agricultural marketing grading; international
agricultural crop and livestock marketing; operation of the North
Carolina State Fair and North Carolina Mountain State Fair; operation of
five state farmers markets; research station operations; seed and
fertilizer inspection; nursery and plant pest eradication activities;
regulation of the structural pest control industry; agricultural
environmental issues; state and federal agricultural legislation; and
agricultural economic analysis.
www.ncagr.com
Local Harvest
The best organic food is what's grown closest to you. Use our website to
find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably
grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and
many other goodies. Want to support this great web site? Shop in our
catalog for things you can't find locally!
www.localharvest.org
Organic Valley
At Organic Valley, our philosophy and decisions are based on the
health and welfare of people, animals and the earth. In today's world,
in order to make a difference, companies need to think differently. You
probably know Organic Valley Family of Farms as a trusted source of
delicious and healthful organic foods, but did you know that the key to
our success is our cooperative business model? The 1266 farm families
who produce our premium quality food products share a voice in the
future of our business—because they own it!
www.organicvalley.coop
Reference Information
Food Network
FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle
network and Web site that strives to be way more than cooking. The
network is committed to exploring new and different ways to approach
food - through pop culture, competition, adventure, and travel - while
also expanding its repertoire of technique-based information. Food
Network is distributed to more than 90 million U.S. households and
averages more than seven million Web site users monthly.
www.foodnetwork.com
Carlo Petrini
Carlo Petrini is the founder and driving force of Slow Food,
and was recently acclaimed as a great innovator in Time magazine's list
of "European Heroes."
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Petrini
WikiPedia
On Slow
Food
On
Organic Food
Google
On Slow Food
On Organic Food
The Supper of the Lamb
From a passionate and talented chef who also happens to be an
Episcopalian priest comes this surprising and thought-provoking treatise
on everything from prayer to poetry to puff pastry. In The Supper of the
Lamb, Capon talks about festal and ferial cooking, emerging as an
inspirational voice extolling the benefits and wonders of old-fashioned
home cooking in a world of fast food and prepackaged cuisine. This
edition includes the original recipes and a new Introduction by Deborah
Madison, the founder of Greens Restaurant in San Francisco and author of
several cookbooks.
www.randomhouse.com
"Before eating, always take a little
time to thank the food." ~ American Indian Proverb
The Mast Farm Inn
2543 Broadstone Road
Historic Valle Crucis
Banner Elk, North Carolina 28604
(828) 963-5857
stay@mastfarminnc.om
www.mastfarminn.com
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828-963-5857
~ Sandra Deschamps Siano
828-963-5857
~ Henri Deschamps
828-963-2626
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