Fall 2010 Schedule:
Specialty Dining, Workshops and Bus Tours

This page lists our Fall 2010 event schedule starting with Specialty Dining, followed by our Workshops and Bus Tours section. Scroll down to see all of the wonderful offerings on tap for our Fall 2010 season. For the printed version of our Fall 2010 schedule in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, click here. To register for an event, click here.

All events (except bus tours) are held on the grounds of Southern Exposure. Space is limited, so we strongly encourage you to register online now. We look forward to seeing you soon at Southern Exposure. Click here to register now.

Listing Note: If the event title begins with "a" or "the," we've used the second word for alphabetizing purposes. Specialty dining events are grouped together first. Workshops and bus tours are grouped together second.

Prices for Specialty Dining events include all food, valet parking, 18% gratuity and tax. A full service cash bar is available for your enjoyment. Make your reservations today!

SE-100, Friday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m. $60
STARRY, STARRY NIGHT:  A moment in the twilight!

In October, the world looks as though a master gilder has touched every leaf with a delicate brush. Autumn’s gold lures us and the time has come to gather with us and dine under the lantern of the Harvest Moon!  Weather permitting we will be dining under our large white canopy, or nested under candlelight in one of our historic dining rooms. Register now!

• Gruyere Cheese, Onion and Bacon Tart
• Autumn Orchard Salad
• Beef Tenderloin with Gorgonzola Sauce
• Roasted Stuffed Pepper with Goat Cheese
• Herbed Mashed Potatoes with Chives
• Chef Elsie’s Crème Brûlée
• Glass of Wine selected by our Sommelier

SE-200, Friday, Oct. 1, 6:30 p.m. $55
A TASTE OF TUSCANY: When hand and heart work in tandem,
something special happens!     

One of the most exciting and incomparable flavor palettes in all of Italy will delight you from il primo to il dolce – first course to the satisfying end. Register now!

• Herb Tomato Bisque
• Tuscan Salad with Olives, Green and Cannellini Beans
• Grilled Roma Tomato with Pesto
• Medallions of Pork with Pasta and Marinara Sauce
• Chocolate Mousse Pie with Raspberry Sauce
• Glass of Wine selected by our Sommelier

SE-300,  Friday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. $55
THE MOUNT VERNON: Setting a place for tradition! 

Bring your appetite, drop a napkin in your lap, and prepare to be delighted by favorites recalled from 18th Century Virginia. Register now!

• Zesty Corn-Crab Chowder Soup
• Colonial Caesar Salad with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
• Roasted Cornish Game Hen with Orange-Teriyaki Sauce
• Couscous with Currents and Pine Nuts
• Pineapple-Glazed Acorn Squash
• George’s Cherry Pie à la Mode
• Glass of Wine selected by our Sommelier

SE-400, Friday, Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m. $60
THE CHARLESTON: Time and time again!

Delicious, charming, wonderfully engaging. Are we describing an evening
in Charleston or the experience of dining at Southern Exposure?  Join us tonight and you be the judge. Register now!

• Old Charleston Style Potato-Leek Soup
• Baby Spinach, Apples, and Cheddar Cheese Salad
• Roast Pork Loin with Cherry Wine Sauce
• Baby Beets with Caraway Seed
• Southern’s Gratin Potatoes
• Southern Apple Pie with Caramel Sauce, à la Mode
• Glass of Wine selected by our Sommelier

SE-500, Sunday, Nov. 21, 1:00 p.m. $50
PLYMOUTH ROCK: Fall flavors that bring every heart home!

Festivity rules the land this day, as we gather with family and friends. How thankful we are for our blessings, how proud of a heritage that encourages us to appreciate the harvest and share its bounty. Join us as we make tradition an honored guest. Register now!

• Baked Winter Squash Soup
• Mayflower Salad with Oranges, Pomegranate Seeds, and Goat Cheese
• Turkey with Cranberry Dressing
• Mashed Yams in Orange Cups
• Oven Roasted Fall Vegetables
• Old Fashioned Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
• Glass of Wine selected by our Sommelier

SE-600, Friday, Dec 17, 6:30 p.m. $65
SE-700, Sat. Dec 18, 6:30 p.m. $65
SE-800, Sunday,Dec 19, 1:00 p.m. $60
THE CAMELOT: Romantically Inspired!

It’s that moment when the world becomes still and the most pressing thing you have to do is nothing. Abundance begins with a setting where conversation is plentiful, and bounty is measured by hours spent with loved ones. Come fill yours to overflowing. Register now!

• Black Bean Soup with Sour Cream and Cilantro
• Romaine, Endive with Tangy Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
• Roast Prime Rib Au Poivre
• Orange-Dilled Carrots
• Mashed Potatoes with Green Onion and Parmesan
• Chocolate Pecan Supreme Pie with Caramel Sauce
• Glass of Wine selected by our Sommelier

Fall 2010 Workshops and Bus Tours

Prices include all supplies (if applicable), a beverage, dessert and tax. Some workshops include
a full meal; please read the descriptions below for more details. Make your reservations today!

SE-01, Thursday, Sep 2, 6:30 p.m., $45
CONCRETE LEAF BEAUTIES and STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRIS: 
A garden accent that achieves rare grace!

Concrete leaf impressions are a great way to add an inspirational touch to your garden as a water-catcher, or inside your home as a decorative accent. Scott has placed large botanical leaves into a mixture of reinforced concrete and allowed it to cure. As you sip Curtis’ Strawberry Daiquiris, we will demonstrate how to create a concrete leaf impression, as you clean your own personalized concrete beauty to take home. These leaf impressions are adorable water-catchers for your garden’s thirsty visitors, and will bring a wonderful fascination to your garden for many years to come. Register now!

SE-02, Thursday, Sep 9, 6:30 p.m., $50
FEAST OF THE SENSES: 
Recipes for beginners to gourmet!

It’s the time of year for gathering friends around us and sharing in the comforts of food, laughter, and candlelight. As the world outside becomes quiet and cool, we invite you to spend an evening with Chef Elsie in this unforgettable, not-to-be missed treasury of recipes, time-saving tips, and how-to’s for creating mouth-watering meals. Come hungry, as a vast array of food and hospitality is on the menu. Curtis will demonstrate wines that are perfectly paired with the foods being served. Enjoy this evening and once again make the kitchen the heartbeat of your home. Register now!

SE-03, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m., $55
CUTTING EDGE with FALL FEAST:
A whole lot of cutting going on!!

As the shorter days and crisper nights signal changing seasons, it’s time to think about making your home the perfect stage for relaxing and entertaining. With fall around the corner, you will learn the art of flower arranging with special emphasis on color, both bold and ravishing. Spend an evening with floral designers Scott Stokes and Micah Stanislowski as they reveal their secrets for creative floral arrangements. You will create two spectacular floral arrangements to complement your decor. At the beginning, Chef Elsie will treat you to a delicious fall dining experience to set the stage for your creative affair. Register now!

SE-04, Thursday, Sep 16, 6:30 p.m., $60 
FAUX BOIS ANGEL with EUROPEAN DINNER: 
You don’t need to be told when something’s a classic!

While traveling abroad touring an assortment of private Parisian gardens, we stumbled across a wonderful technique called Faux Bois. The Faux Bois statuary added an “old world” appearance to the gardens we visited. Most pieces today are handcrafted and will fit into any garden theme, inside or out. Weather staining, moss, and lichen gently age Faux Bois and settle it into your landscape. The term, which literally means false wood, is used to finish statuary to make it appear like ancient wood. In this workshop, you will replicate this technique using a 19” concrete angel statuary from an early twentieth century mold. To initiate this amazing workshop, Chef Elsie will prepare a grandiose, tasty European dinner. Register now!

SE-05, Friday, Sep 17, 6:30 p.m., $55
FALL COCKTAIL FESTIVITY:
Back by popular demand!

The glamour of the cocktail will come to life in this celebration of “summer’s finale” libations. Enjoy an evening strolling down memory lane as we recreate authentic drink recipes, fresh classics, and modern spirits sure to reinvigorate playful conversations and an air of relaxation. Each cocktail demonstrated will be sampled and then paired perfectly with Chef Elsie’s scrumptious cuisine. Come ready to eat, drink, and toast the fall months ahead. This evening will emulate what Bette Davis once said while holding a very dry martini, “Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” Bottoms Up! Register now!

SE-06, Sunday, Sep 26, 1:00 p.m., $45
BOO-HOO and LUNCH:
A fantastic finish to the season!

What’s a gardener to do when summer’s over and the yard’s in a slump?  The perennials are past their prime, an early frost killed most of the annuals, and you are desperately clinging to what’s left. Sounds like you need a pick-me-up to send the growing season out with a bang…and Scott’s got the cure. After experiencing one of Chef Elsie’s culinary delights, you will learn about pruning, cleaning, and splitting plants in your gardens. Creative ideas will be shared to keep your garden a focal point throughout the winter months. You will leave with ornamental grasses, Siberian Iris, and bulbs to place in your garden to help bring it “back to life” in the spring. Register now!

SE-07, Thursday, Sep 30, 6:30 p.m., $55
GINGKO WREATH and AUTUMM FEAST:
“FALL for ideas that entertain in style!”

As the temperature drops and the days get shorter, trees and vines shift to center stage, their foliage awash in yellow and orange. During the fall, gingko leaves put on a display few other plants can rival, as the deep colors of fall bursts to reveal a tapestry of autumn on the horizon. Gingko leaves have become a favorite botanical when celebrating the fall season, especially with Thanksgiving around the bend. Spend an evening creating a wreath from grapevine, high quality permanent gingko leaf florals, and bittersweet which can be displayed on your door, table, or mantle. But before you arrive, Chef Elsie will comb the Michigan Farmers’ Markets for the freshest fall bounty as she prepares an Autumn Alfresco feast…just for you. Register now!

SE-08, Friday, Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m., $55
LET IT FLOW, LET IT FLOW:
The taste is on the palate of the beer-holder!

Outstanding food and an elegant beer has always been a perfect match.  Here's a good excuse to have a great time and learn more about beer. The cardinal rule of a beer tasting is that it must be fun. You will taste an array of beers and ales, each paired with Chef Elsie’s Hors D’ Oeuvres. Following this workshop, you will amaze your friends with the knowledge of remarkable beers and winning foods to compliment any special event. Add to that some wonderful memories of a special evening with friends, and you now have no excuse for not hosting a beer tasting. Register now!

SE-09, Thursday, Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m., $50
DO YOU DREAM OF CHOCOLATE?
...then, come indulge your senses!

Each fall, we eagerly look forward to opening our home and hearts to those who have helped make the past year so special.  Is there any better way than sharing fabulous chocolate desserts…especially when they are paired with Curtis’ dessert wines?  Spend the evening as Chocolatier, Elizabeth Haines, and Chef Elsie’s favorite chocolate dessert recipes take center stage. This workshop will be full of new ideas to help you become a connoisseur just in the “nick of time” for holiday preparations. But to “inaugurate” this scrumptious, mouth-watering event, we will begin the festivities by serving you a magnificent, delectable dinner. Register now!

SE-10, Sunday, Oct. 17, 1:00 p.m., $50
THREE FALL ARRANGEMENTS and LUNCH:
Inspiring ideas announcing autumn!

Autumn arrives ablaze in color. Celebrate the changing of the leaves by using pumpkins, gourds, and flowers from our gardens to create stunning arrangements. This timeless trio of scent and symbolism will be a testament of the season well into Thanksgiving. You know these seasonal players: gourds gone wild, pretty pumpkins, hardy mums, and colorful leaves …all ready for your fall decor. Celebrate the harvest season by making nature’s bounty the star for your fall decoration. At the outset of this delightful afternoon, you will enjoy a wonderful fall harvest lunch prepared by Chef Elsie. Register now!

SE-11, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m., $50
BERRY and TINI: Sippin’ and stylin’ away! 

Meet or reconnect with friends as we host a “Berry Topiary” workshop while sipping a Berrytini. Take a relaxing moment during the holiday rush to have some fun as you create a 29” berry topiary. With just a little flair and our easy step-by-step directions, you can turn flowers, greenery and berries into a one of a kind topiary that lends a stylish, festive touch to your home for fall and the holidays. Whether your taste leans toward classic or contemporary, modern glamour, or shabby chic, this timeless and colorful decoration will be admired for years to come. At the beginning you will enjoy one of Chef Elsie’s favorite desserts while “sipping” one of Curtis’ million-dollar Berrytinis. Register now!

SE-12, Thursday, Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m., $50
PUMPKIN PANACHE with COCKTAILS:
Boo!  Do you scare easily?

Carving your Jack-O-Lantern the same way again?  Now that’s a scary thought!  Unique, inspiring, and sophisticated, our ideas for decorating your home with pumpkins go way beyond the basic Jack-O-Lantern. Using fall’s definitive fruit, you will take home three pumpkins: one carved to hold candles, one filled with autumn flowers and herbs, and a painted white pumpkin, weaved like a French bulletin board. As the colors change and falling leaves herald the arrival of autumn, bring the season’s calling card indoors with this exuberant, fun-filled workshop as Curtis unveils his legendary Pomegranate-Apple cocktail. Register now!

SE-13, Saturday, Oct. 23, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., $155
MICHIGAN WINERY BUS TOUR: 
Eat…Drink…and Relax!

Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan are fertile wineries producing award-winning Michigan wines enjoyed throughout the world. Our proximity to Southwest Michigan’s vineyards makes it easy to visit at a relaxed pace in just a single day. While our bus tour drives through picturesque wine regions, you owe it to yourself to sit back, take in the scenery, and chat with your companions.

We plan stops at where you will visit their tasting rooms, learn their secrets of wine making, and stock up on your favorite wines to share with family and friends.  As we return, we make one final stop for dinner at Tosi’s Restaurant in Stevensville, MI.

Our bus tour leaves Southern Exposure Farm promptly at 8:00 am and returns at approximately 9:00 pm. The cost of the tour includes:  bus fees, Chef Elsie’s European on-board breakfast and lunch, winery tour charges, dinner at Tosi’s Italian Restaurant, and Curtis’ many refreshments along the way. Please sign up early as this is a popular bus tour. Register now!

SE-14, Saturday, Oct. 30, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., $175
NORTH CHICAGO FOOD TASTING & CULTURAL WALKING TOUR

If you like exciting activity and consider yourself a foodie, this day trip to Chicago is designed with you in mind. Spend a day with Southern Exposure as they take you to Chicago’s North side in search of the ultimate Chicago food and cultural experience. You begin the day by enjoying one of Chef Elsie’s on-board European Breakfasts while sipping several of Curtis’ special morning refreshments.

Upon arrival to the North side of Chicago, you begin a guided walking tour, enjoying delicious ethnic foods and diverse musical and entertainment venues which exist within Chicago’s liveliest and historic neighborhood. Besides tasting great food, you will learn about history, culture, architecture, and neighborhood entertainment offerings.

After a three hour journey which includes visits to an award-winning Chicago-stuffed pizzeria, a top spice & herb specialty shop, a gourmet foods store and cheese shop, an authentic Jewish deli, a balsamic vinegar & olive oil specialty store, a specialty loose tea & tisanes merchant, and a chocolate confectioner and fudge shop…you’re free to shop and enjoy some of the most beautiful areas of Chicago.

Before we begin our trip home, we’ll meet for dinner at a local Chicago restaurant. The cost of the trip includes: bus fees, breakfast on board, tickets for the walking/tasting tour, dinner in Chicago, and the many refreshments to and from this exciting destination. Bon Appétit! Register now!

SE-15, THROUGH SE-30, 6:30 p.m. each evening, $45
HOLIDAY DECORATING ON A SHOESTRING with DINNER:
Let’s make your home merry and bright!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Entertaining is so simple: Just open the door to your house and your heart, and allow people to come in. There will be parties for hosting, sweet yummies for sharing, and dressing up your home for the holidays. This is the time of year to really pull out the stops, trying new recipes, and merging time-honored traditions with something new and different.

With some creativity and a dash of style, you can make old and new, traditional and contemporary, funky and refined all work together beautifully. Scott will astound you with his imaginative and inspiring holiday décor ideas.

The purpose of this workshop is to demonstrate creative ideas, enjoy a complete Holiday inspired dinner prepared by Chef Elsie, paired with a delicious wine. With over 100 decorating ideas, your home won’t be the only thing that lights up the holidays!  

SE-15, Tuesday, Nov. 2 - Register now!
SE-16, Wednesday, Nov. 3 - Register now!
SE-17, Thursday, Nov. 4 - Register now!
SE-18, Friday, Nov. 5 - Register now!
SE-19, Saturday, Nov. 6 - Register now!
SE-20, Monday, Nov. 8 - Register now!
SE-21, Tuesday, Nov. 9 - Register now!
SE-22, Wednesday, Nov. 10 - Register now!
SE-23, Thursday, Nov. 11 - Register now!
SE-24, Friday, Nov. 12 - Register now!
SE-25, Saturday, Nov. 13 - Register now!
SE-26, Monday, Nov. 15 - Register now!
SE-27, Tuesday, Nov. 16 - Register now!
SE-28, Wednesday, Nov. 17 - Register now!
SE-29, Thursday, Nov. 18 - Register now!
SE-30, Friday, Nov. 19 - Register now!

Because this is our most popular workshop of the season, please register early to ensure your desired date is secured. Please dress appropriately as we will be moving inside and out.

SE-31, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m., $45
BOXWOOD TOPIARY AND HOLIDAY COSMOS: 
They’ll think a decorator did it!

The ancient art of topiary was brought to this country by the early colonists. English boxwood shrubs, prized for their densely-packed light-green leaves, are commonly used in topiaries. Using a Styrofoam form, you will create a beautiful topiary using bright green boxwood sprigs and berries. The gracefulness and sophistication of this topiary will enhance your holiday décor and add to its merriment. To kick off this occasion, you will enjoy Curtis’ Holiday Cosmos – for a festive spirit inundated with joy. Register now!

SE-32, Thursday, Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m., $45
WILLIAMSBURG TRADITIONAL WREATH with ENGLISH WASSAIL:
A fresh take on a traditional idea!

Nothing captures the spirit of old Williamsburg better than rich green boxwood, shiny lemon leaves, and fresh apples all wrapped into a wreath. This special holiday decoration is designed to recreate the Williamsburg Wreath, a tradition many generations have embraced. Proudly displayed as a centerpiece or gracing a door, this wreath will simply say “welcome” to your holiday guests. Register now!

SE-33, Saturday, Dec. 4, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., $140
SCOTT’S JUNQUE BUS TOUR: 
Just in the “nick-of-time” for the Holidays!

Perhaps it’s something discovered on a dusty shelf of an antique shop or buried in a box at a flea market. Or maybe it was bought with a winning bid at auction or found through a dealer. One of the joys of collecting is the thrill of pursuit. We plan stops at Hog Creek, Allen, Shipshewana, and Middlebury, IN.

Southern Exposure’s Scott Stokes, will show you how to shop vintage sales with confidence, where to find bargains, how to spot a good buy, dicker and deal, and examples of how to transform newfound treasures into decorative, useful objects. Spend a day discovering creative foraging as only Scott can offer. The cost of the tour includes:  travel to and from junk locations only Scott knows about; Chef Elsie’s European on-board breakfast and lunch; an Amish style dinner on the return trip; and Curtis’ many on-board refreshments and snacks! And of course, you can put your priceless “finds” in the storage compartment under the bus. Register now!

SE-34, Sunday, Dec. 5, 1:00 p.m. $50
THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS with a HOLIDAY LUNCH: 
Where beauty and grace depend on simplicity!

Many of us enjoy putting out the manger scene as the holidays draw near. The figures of Mary, Joseph, shepherds and wise men tell the story of the very first Christmas. Along with our display, we use herbs and ancient plants that have come down through ages graced with legend and lore. After enjoying one of Chef Elsie’s favorite holiday luncheons, you will spend an afternoon learning the herbs of the cradle and the stories and traditions of the botanicals associated with the holidays. A beautiful vase embossed with “Madonna and the Christ Child” will be filled with flowers and herbs symbolizing the true meaning of the first Christmas. Register now!

SE-35, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m., $55
HOLIDAY WREATH MAKING with HOLIDAY DINNER:
Hospitality, with a hug or handshake, begins at your front door!

Fragrant evergreen, pine, and cedar gathered from the farm are woven into a beautiful, hand-wrapped wreath. This seasonal decoration which can be displayed in different ways will bring versatility, charm and warmth to your home. At the beginning of this workshop, you will enjoy a hearty holiday dinner before creating the wreath which you will be proud to share with family and friends as you prepare for the holiday season ahead. Register now!

SE-36, Thursday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m., $55
HOLIDAY SWAG with INDULGENCE: Announce the arrival of the season!
As holiday décor fads come and go, holiday swags still remain elegant, and adds glamour to virtually any décor. Jump-start the holidays with this artfully display of salutation.  During this workshop, you will add red berries, pine cones, and other artificial seasonal items to a 36” long lighted swag rich with permanent botanical greens. Your charming, festive holiday swag will look grand as a mantle-topper, a table centerpiece, or simply displayed on your front door to greet your holiday guests. Come hungry as Chef Elsie will prepare a special holiday dinner just for you. Register now!

SE-37, Friday, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m., $65
SE-38, Saturday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m., $65
TOAST THE SEASON:
Tis the season to savor the flavor!

Dom Perignon, upon the discovery of Champagne, stated,”Come quickly, for I am drinking the stars.”  Toast the holidays with an array of bubbly!  Relax, unwind, and sample wonderful wines and fabulous treats while you mingle and make new friends.    As the holiday season approaches, you will enjoy an abundance of exquisite food, exceptional wine, and great company. You will enjoy one of Chef Elsie’s legendary dinners complete with 4 courses that complements each of the six featured wines. The wines featured this evening will undoubtedly make the perfect stocking stuffers! Register now!

SE-39, Sunday, Dec. 12, 1:00 p.m., $55
BASKET O’ GREENS & IRISH LUNCH:
Let the color of green inspire you this season!

This attractive basket designed and filled with generous amounts of pine, holly, and boxwood placed outside your entry door will convey the ultimate traditional Irish greeting to your guests. These enchanting, yet blissful baskets can be used as portable gardens, outdoors or indoors for the imminent holiday season. Before creating your Irish masterpieces, you will enjoy an authentic 18th Century Irish lunch prepared by Chef Elsie. Register now!

SE-40, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m., $50
HOLIDAY GARLAND with DESSERTS and CHAMPAGNE:
It’s a festive time at the farm!

The warmth and beauty of a fireplace adds a special touch to any holiday décor as it becomes the focal point of holiday get-togethers. As you mix and mingle with friends, we intend to uncork your creativity with an assortment of festive, bite-sized sweet temptations and champagne. After our dessert party, we are not going to be shy about mixing texture, tone, and color intensity as you create a 6 foot long lighted holiday garland, decorated with permanent botanicals. With the confidence gained in this workshop, you can decorate your fireplace mantle in a fashion of both simplicity and elegance…and we will show you how! Register now!

SE-41, Thursday, Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m., $60
O TANNENBAUM with a TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY DINNER:
Come have a Tree-mendous experience!

This delightful little tabletop tree is created by stuffing aromatic herbs, dried flowers, and tiny lights into an artificial evergreen tree. This eye-catching, everlasting centerpiece will provide fragrance and beauty throughout the holiday season and the winter months ahead.  Using the art form of balance and simplicity, this wonderfully modest tree will leave you and your guests inspired. But before all the fun begins, you will enjoy a traditional holiday meal inspired by the childhood memories of our own Chef Elsie. Register now!

How to Register for a Workshop:

We strongly encourage you to register online using a major credit card. It's fast, easy and fully secure to protect your privacy. To begin, click on the button below:

To register by phone, please call the Southern Exposure office during normal business hours at (269) 962-1255.