About This Event
The Bailliage of Greater Washington invites members and guests to extend our Summer Sojourn in historic Frederick, Maryland with a private luncheon the morning after our July 9th dinner at Wye Oak Tavern. Whether or not you choose to stay overnight, we hope you will join us at Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm for an intimate, farm-to-table experience arranged exclusively for our Bailliage.
Beginning at 11:00 a.m., this 1½-hour gathering takes place in The Learning Kitchen, a beautiful teaching space that opened in 2023 at the farm’s Middletown location. Your host is Chef/Farmer Mark Mills — lead farmer, chef-instructor, and artisan chocolatier — whose unusual convergence of disciplines has made this small farm one of the region’s most distinctive culinary destinations.
The menu will be a true market basket surprise: freshly prepared soup and salad built around up to six fruits and vegetables harvested steps from where you will dine, their varieties chosen by what the field offers that morning. Chef Mills will demonstrate portions of the preparation and speak to the provenance of each ingredient — what it takes to grow it, and why it matters. The meal concludes with a single artisan chocolate truffle, handcrafted in the tradition he cultivated while earning his Pastry Arts degree at L’Academie de Cuisine.
That name will resonate with many of you. L’Academie de Cuisine was the renowned Washington-area culinary school founded by Chef François Dionot, who served as Vice Conseiller Culinaire of our very own Bailliage. Chef Mills’s training there is a thread that connects this quiet Maryland farm to the heart of our culinary community — and it makes this visit something more than a pleasant morning out.
A note on beverages: Guests are welcome to bring their own wine or other alcoholic beverages. As the farm does not hold a liquor license, guests will serve themselves.
Farm purchases: Items grown or made at the farm may be ordered in advance for pickup (see website). When placing an order, please identify yourself as attending the Chaine luncheon to be sure your purchase will be available on July 10th, following the luncheon.
Registration: Space is limited to 20 guests, filled on a first-reserved basis. Please indicate any food allergies or vegetarian/vegan needs when registering.
Summer/Casual Attire with Decorations
Limited availability. Registration deadline is noon on July 3rd or until sold out).
D.C. bailliage members and guests................................................... $40
Members Only Event
This event is exclusive to Chaîne members. Log in to your member account to register, or learn about becoming a member.