False Alarm
HOUSTON, TEXAS | NOVEMBER 2022
Presented by Makers Mark
This year was really difficult for us, weather-wise, and this event was no exception. We initially planned to host this Supper at a Plant It Forward farm, but due to a catastrophic rain forecast, we moved the whole event to a fully indoor location the day before the Supper. Of course, it turned out to be a false alarm, and the day was pretty beautiful in the end. Luckily, our new venue was also!
We set the table in the historic Houston Heights Fire Station, a beautiful brick building constructed in the 1910’s and artfully restored with original architectural details. The hard-lined geometry of the building’s brick contrasted beautifully with lace and linen tablecloths lined with edible fruits and vegetables in rich fall colors, persimmons and squash and pomegranates creating a cornucopia to welcome the festive season still to come (all of which we donated to a local food pantry post-event).
Chef Ryan Lachaine created a meal inspired by that same seasonal bounty; surprising pops from spiced apples, pickles, and pears helped contrast the hearty flavors of fall. Rodney Strong Vineyards wine completed the experience at the table, while cocktails from Maker’s Mark bookended the experience with distinctive craft Bourbon cocktails. The night was relaxed and beautiful, and the fire station really reflected it’s history as a community gathering space. Nonetheless, this was a rare event where some guests left early, but for good reason — the Astros were playing in the World Series just down the road, and the lucky folks who got tickets simply had to go!
WELCOME
As the rainy-day forecast failed to manifest, we started the afternoon in the back courtyard, where Maker’s Mark set up a beautiful bar to serve Gold Rush cocktails while Chef Ryan passed around fresh borscht shots and zingy tomato Tabasco toasts to prime everyone’s palates.
The courtyard in which we gathered used to be the historic property’s horse stables in the early 1900s. We decided to honor that tradition by branding custom leather coasters from Clayton & Crume. Guests could customize their own coasters with their initials, adding a signature Clayton & Crume hand-finished touch, and take them home as an enduring memory of the evening.
A MENU BY RYAN LACHAINE
Chef Ryan Lachaine highlights the flavors of Texas’s Gulf Coast while pulling inspiration from his Ukrainian heritage and roots in Manitoba, Canada. The result is delightful French Canadian-Ukrainian global fare with an undeniable Southern accent.
His meal was fresh and hearty, with fresh fall produce highlighted in every course.
MENU
WELCOME
Borscht Shots creme fraiche, horseradish
Tomato Tabasco Toast
Cocktail: Maker’s Mark Gold Rush
FIRST
Roasted Pear Salad pear, dijon vinaigrette, bannock, cultured butter, seasonal jam
Wine: 2019 Rodney Strong Vineyards Estate Chalk Hill Chardonnay
SECOND
Duck crispy rice salad, pickles
Wine: 2018 Rodney Strong Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
MAIN
Roasted Pork Loin butternut squash, apple, maple mustard
Wine: 2017 ROWEN Wine Co. ROWEN Red Blend
DESSERT
Peanut Butter + Chocolate Mousse beer nuts, Maker’s Mark cream
Cocktail: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Cold Fashioned
WINE PAIRINGS
Rodney Strong Vineyards wines completed the menu with thoughtful pairings fitting the autumnal ingredients on each course.
NIGHTCAP
The evening ended with decadent peanut butter + chocolate mousse topped with candied beer nuts and Maker’s Mark spiked cream, which paired perfectly with Cask Strength Cold Fashioneds made with cold brew for a little kick for carry everyone the rest of the night — which was much needed for the Astros World Series game! The celebration was just beginning, even as our Supper was winding down.
SECRET LOCATION: HISTORIC HEIGHTS FIRE STATION
The Heights Fire Station was built in 1914, when fire brigades still used horse drawn carriages — thus the need for stables in the back. It has been carefully restored with all of its charming historical architectural details intact, so there are endless beautiful surprises in each room.
The history of the building has always been one of community gathering. It felt like the perfect place to sit down together and celebrate a good meal, regardless of the elements.
