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Behind the Scenes: Planning the Rooted Grounds Coffee Dinner!
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Since 1803, we’ve been a gathering place. With that legacy comes a whole host of wonderful personalities who have helped make the Golden Lamb what it is today. As we tell stories of our past, we also want to bring you tales from the legends of our present!
The Golden Lamb is partnering with Rooted Grounds Coffee Company to offer a uniquely curated dinner paired with some of the region’s finest coffees on February 27th. Join Assistant General Manager Jacob Bastien behind the scenes in his new role as he plans our first-ever, one-of-a-kind coffee dinner experience, the opening event of 2024!
Q: What is involved in planning a tasting dinner?
A: Many different elements need to synchronize in order for a seamless execution. The space must be reserved; the décor and ambiance arranged, the culinary and service staff need trained with specialized knowledge and vocabulary, and of course, recipes need to be developed and tested!
This process highlights one of the aspects I love most about working in hospitality: regardless of your passion, there's an opportunity to express it within the service industry.
Q: What factors do you consider when picking partners?
A: We typically look for companies and brands with shared values – whether that’s having ties to our community like Rooted Grounds or a commitment to honoring tradition while embracing innovation, like New Riff Distilling. When we find something within a brand that resonates with us, we find a way to let that aspect of our partnership shine.
The opportunity to collaborate in these moments, where the two of us together create something that neither of us could achieve individually, is one of the most fulfilling experiences I've been a part of.
Q: How do you ensure the menu and coffee pairings complement each other seamlessly?
A: Taste, taste, taste! There's simply no substitute for firsthand experience. While we consult resources like The Flavor Bible and draw from our own encounters to understand which flavors complement each other, the most reliable method is to indulge in plenty of coffee and food tasting sessions.
Q: What are the key differences between planning a coffee dinner compared to a wine event?
A: The logistics of planning a coffee dinner are far more complex. Instead of merely pouring 30 glasses of wine, you must craft 30 individual drinks. Since many flavor components in coffee are more volatile than those in wine, concerns about timing and temperature become more pressing.
Q: What’s your favorite part of planning events?
A: I thoroughly enjoy witnessing the creation of something unique that could only exist at that specific moment and location. Being involved in the creative process is incredibly thrilling to me. With this event in particular, I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to showcase a level of sophistication and epicureanism without the reliance on alcohol.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: While I may be the face of this event there are dozens, if not hundreds, of people involved without whom something like this would not be possible. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the employees at Rooted Grounds, my co-workers here at The Golden Lamb, and everyone else who has touched us in some way. “No man is an island” has never been truer, and I could not be more grateful!
Make your history part of our history — plan your trip to the Golden Lamb!