Rachel Louchen reports from Lakeville. North East Community Center’s (NECC) annual Chef & Farmer brunch is always a well-attended event and, this year, it sold out more quickly than ever. On Sunday, July 31, the Hotchkiss School’s bucolic Fairfield Farm (featuring jaw-dropping views of rolling fields, ponds and mountains) was the location for the fundraising event that had a lively spin this year — a food challenge. Ten local restaurants, farms and food vendors put out a breakfast spread, and a panel of local judges including Hammertown’s Joan Osofsky and Mike Harney of Harney & Sons had the enviable task of choosing the best brunch, while the 200 guests happily tasted it all. The fundraiser benefits a variety of programs at NECC, adds vegetables to its summer “Lunch Box” meal program, covers camp for local children, and buys milk and eggs for food pantry families. The brunch was so successful there weren’t even tickets available on standby, so advice for next year: buy your ticket early. [Event organizer Mimi Ramos Harney and NECC executive director Jenny Hansell.]
Mark Morgan and Jennifer Morgan came as guests of event sponsor Rob Cooper of Associated Lightning Rod Company.
NECC development assistant Amy Truax and Amy Jedlicka; Kendra LaCroix and Jessica Raymond, NECC client advocate.
Allie Kuhbach and her mother, NECC board chair Sherrell Andrews; John Tuke of Millerton, whose children have participated in many NECC programs over the years, with Jeff May and Mary O’Neill.
Ken Daniel, Domaine Guerrera and David Rosenberg.
Program director Betsey McCall with Erich McEnroe, who donated produce for the event, and Halina Hofmann; Paul Hands and writer Teri Agins.
Maggie Cheney of Rock Steady Farm & Flowers with advisory board member Dan Sternberg; Scott Morris, John Hahn, Elyse Harney Morris and Elyse Harney.
Jenny Hansell, Kristen Panzer, founder of NECC’s Spring For Sound music festival, and longtime supporter Anita Shapiro.