It will be a first for Squamish foodies.
The first Dinner al Fresco, a long table event, is planned for Thursday, Aug. 25 in the Squamish Valley.
The gathering is co-hosted by Refresh Market and Fergie’s Café and will showcase locally produced, quality food in a stunning environment, according to organizers Shannon Lorenz and Rachel Boguski, who also founded the biannual Refresh Market, the largest gathering of local vendors in the Sea to Sky Corridor.
“I think what Refresh has done for us and for Squamish is created that sense of community among the vendors that have found us or we have found over the years,” said Boguski. “This is really about bringing members of that community together and showcasing the members of our local community who are able to provide the florals, the food, the beverage, the décor, the vibe as a whole.”
Other local businesses involved include Billies Flower House, Oh the Sweet Things and Bungalow968.
The event will be held outside – or inside if it rains – at Fergie’s Café and Fergie’s chef Jason Nadeau will prepare the meals. The ticket price includes a Gillespie’s Fine Spirits cocktail and two glasses of wine.
“All of our partners are going… to have the opportunity to speak at the table as well,” Lorenz said, adding that chef Nadeau, for example, will speak about each of the dishes as they are served.
The dishes will be gluten-free and made with limited dairy, according to Boguski.
“This is really for people in and around Squamish who are looking for an opportunity to gather with like-minded people and have a quality, locally sourced meal,” said Boguski. “So, I think this will attract a lot of the same people who come to our [Refresh] events.”
Because this type of event may be new to some locals, Lorenz said she imagines after this first event more Squamish people will be excited and interested in the long-table idea.
The plan is to host the Dinner al Fresco annually, she said.
For tickets or more information go to, refreshmarket.ca/events.
