Harvest Dinner at the Homestead
Celebrating Connection, Craftsmanship, and the Season’s Best Ingredients
As the sun dipped low over the trees, Steve and I welcomed friends to our first annual Farm to Table Harvest Dinner at DIY Designer Homestead. What began as an idea—a way to celebrate the fall harvest and share the beauty of this place—became an evening that captured everything we love about homestead living: organic food, intentional design, and heartfelt connection.
The Vision: Elegant Simplicity Meets Harvest Beauty
With my catering and event planning background, I’m always looking for opportunities to craft gatherings that feel both elegant and authentic. This dinner was about honoring the fall harvest, celebrating organic food, supporting local farmers, and bringing together special friends for an unforgettable evening.
What made this collaboration truly special was having four creatives in the kitchen together—Steve, Chef Bob, Chef Annie, and myself—each bringing our unique expertise to create something remarkable. It’s incredible what happens when passion for fresh, organic ingredients meets culinary artistry.
The Setting: Rustic Elegance Under the Stars
We transformed our outdoor space into a warm, inviting scene that captured the simplicity and beauty of autumn. I sourced gorgeous white oak tables and chairs through a local event planning center, setting the foundation for an evening that felt both refined and grounded in nature. The natural wood tones were perfect for a harvest celebration, bringing warmth and organic beauty to the setting.
For the table styling, I kept everything organic and natural to honor the seasonal environment as we transition into fall:
Centerpieces: I prepared all arrangements myself, incorporating gourds and fall planters that reflected the season’s beauty
Table settings: Carefully selected silverware, linen napkins, and napkin rings in natural tones
Ambiance: A large tent draped with soft white string lights added a touch of enchantment, while candles scattered across the tables cast a warm, flickering glow
Dinnerware: We sourced plates from a local restaurant (a wonderful cost-saving find!)
The addition of the tent with beautiful white lights brought just the right touch of warmth and elegance. It was simple, yet the refinement spoke for itself—proof that you don’t need excessive decoration when you let natural beauty and seasonal elements shine.
(For more inspiration on our fall decor journey, check out my previous post: From Summer Blooms to Autumn Dreams)
The Menu: A Celebration of the Harvest
Every dish told a story of the land, with ingredients pulled fresh from our organic garden or thoughtfully sourced from local farmers who share our passion for sustainable, wholesome food. Steve, along with our dear friends Chef Bob and Chef Annie from @bobbys_gourmet, poured their culinary expertise into a menu that was as flavorful as it was meaningful. Here’s a glimpse of what we served:
Grilled Portobello Mushroom Caps: Stuffed with a creamy blend of cream cheese, smoked cheddar, garlic, onion, and hot pepper, finished with crispy bacon crumbles and a drizzle of maple.
Stuffed Zucchini and Yellow Squash Bites: Roasted with garlic, fresh basil, and mozzarella, sprinkled with Parmesan for a tender, savory bite.
Fresh-Baked Sourdough: Steve’s warm, crusty artisan loaves, served with sweet maple butter or savory roasted garlic butter.
Spicy Autumn Slaw: Crisp cabbage, carrots, and apples in a tangy chipotle-horseradish dressing, topped with crunchy pumpkin seeds and fresh cilantro.
Autumn Harvest Greens with Feta: Mixed greens with roasted squash, dried cranberries, candied pecans, and feta, tossed in a mustard-maple balsamic vinaigrette.
Roasted Autumn Vegetable Platter (Vegetarian Option): A vibrant medley of beets, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts, delicata squash, cauliflower, wild mushrooms, and onions, roasted with homegrown garlic and finished with a maple-balsamic glaze.
Hearty Fall Stew: Tender, smoked Mangalitsa pork from Thistledown Farm, slow-braised with root vegetables, fragrant herbs, and a rich broth, paired with sourdough for dipping.
Tres Leches Trifle: Layers of sponge cake soaked in three milks, with grilled peaches, cinnamon-spiced apples, fresh berries, Bourbon Chantilly cream, and a maple glaze reduction.
The Bar: A Toast to the Season
Our cocktail bar, curated by my daughter Emily, was a highlight of the evening, offering an old-fashioned experience with a modern twist. We paired the meal with exceptional wines from @7vinesvineyard, each chosen to complement the flavors of the harvest:
7 Vines Vineyard 2022 Sauvignon Blanc – Reserve: Notes of green apple, Meyer lemon, and vanilla, perfect with salads and grilled vegetables.
7 Vines Vineyard 2023 Malbec: Rich with red plum, blueberry, and hints of baking chocolate, ideal for the hearty fall stew.
7 Vines Vineyard 2022 Vintner’s Select: A bold blend of Petit Verdot and Tannat, with notes of plum, raspberry, and sage, versatile enough for any dish.
For beer and cider lovers, we offered:
New Guinness Brown Ale: Nutty and malty, pairing beautifully with mushrooms and roasted vegetables.
Belgian White: Citrusy and spicy, cutting through richer flavors.
Guinness Draught: Roasty and smoky, complementing the stew.
Oktoberfest Märzen: Smooth and malty, fitting the harvest theme.
Arlsberg Pilsner: Crisp and cleansing, balancing tangy and salty notes.
Honeycrisp Cider and Eastcraft Cider: Bright and refreshing, celebrating the season’s apples.
Shopping List
To recreate this Farm to Table Harvest Dinner, here’s everything we used for the decor and table settings:
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A huge thank you to Chef Bob and Chef Annie for your wonderful catering expertise and for helping us prepare, cook, and serve this incredible experience. To Emily for creating the cocktail bar excellence. And to all our guests who made this first annual Farm to Table celebration so memorable. Here’s to many more harvest extravaganzas!
We are so grateful to share what will be a forever memory and look forward to creating this event again.
Interested in hosting your own event at DIY Designer Homestead? Reach out through our Linktree or visit our website. We’d love to help you create something special. See our recent feature in Minneapolis Lakes Magazine.
Cari Ann Carter is the best-selling author of Are Your Roots Right? Rightsize Your Space. Reclaim Your Life. and a multi-faceted entrepreneur with a passion for intentional living, design, and home.
She leads the Cari Ann Carter Group, bringing over 28 years of experience in real estate, design, build, and renovation, and is the creative voice behind DIY Designer Homestead.
Through Fresh Roots Living, she shares practical ideas for cooking, gardening, entertaining, and creating a home that supports your next chapter.