Discover why Portland Monthly magazine hosted its event, for the first time, in the actual country – at Rossi Farms …
From all over the greater metropolitan area, hundreds of people head to outer East Portland to enjoy a “Country Brunch” at Rossi Farms.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
An annual event put on by Portland Monthly magazine called the “Country Brunch” was held this year in rural Parkrose, on May 20.
Billed as “pulling out all the stops to give food-loving readers – and weekend day drinkers – the ultimate brunch experience in the country, joined by chefs from our editors’ favorite brunch spots,” Rossi Farms’ event space was filled to capacity with weekend morning revelers.
Johnny Nunn from Verdigris Restaurant cooks a brunch specialty – hash browns in duck fat.
Portland Monthly’s Heather Brown; Gabrielle Rossi, Event & Marketing Manager; Rachel Ratner; and Joe Rossi watch brunch celebrants enjoying the morning feast.
At the brunch, Portland Monthly Event & Marketing Manager Rachel Ratner talked with East Portland News about it.
“It’s true; this is our very first time in the country – we’ve done it downtown and in Northwest Portland, and we just thought it would be wonderful to have it truly in the country,” Ratner smiled.
The owner of Besaw’s restaurant, Cana Flug, and Executive Chef Dustin Clark served their famous chicken biscuit sliders.
Taking a break, Shane Morrison and Laura Peacock sit on the lawn between courses at the Parkrose Country Brunch.
About why they’d decided to hold their event at Rossi’s, she said, “We also publish Portland Bride & Groom magazine, and my bridal representative told me about this facility, and the weddings and events they hold here,” Ratner said. “So, I worked with Gabrielle and Joe Rossi, and we figured out how we could really bring to life our magazine and their venue, by having this here.”
Providing a delightful soundtrack for the brunch is the musical quartet, “The Bylines”.
“As it turns out, this is a great place to bring the Brunch Feature pages of our magazine to life while showing off their venue,” Ratner added.
Sauntering from one area to another, guests sampled brunch favorites dished up by Besaw’s, Doug Fir Lounge, Fried Egg I’m In Love, Irving Street Kitchen, Lauretta Jean’s Pie, La Moule, Harlow Restaurant, Pono Farm Soul Kitchen, Olympia Provisions, Red Star Tavern, The Solo Club, Pine State Biscuits, Raven & Rose, Seastar Bakery, Verdigris Restaurant, and Vivienne Kitchen & Pantry.
The morning feast sold out early, and more than 600 people arrived at the farm to enjoy the “Country Brunch”, said the hostess. “Here you’re actually having a day in the country, while you’re still in Portland,” Ratner pointed out.
Coming out to Parkrose from their food cart at SE 32nd and Hawthorne Street is chef Jace Kause, of Fried Egg I’m In Love.
Guests step up to sample and vote at the “Bloody Mary Smackdown” competition.
While chefs dished up small plates of what the magazine calls “Portland’s most beloved meal”, the city’s most innovative mixologists faced off preparing libations for a “Bloody Mary Smackdown”.
Proceeds from the Country Brunch support “Curriculum of Cuisine”, a program that brings chefs into the classroom, and offers young adults the opportunity to learn essential culinary skills through hands-on experiences in conjunction with various core subjects.
© 2017 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
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