FranklinIs Connected

Celebrate the Mid-Summer Harvest at “The Gathering at RT Lodge,” August 2 – 4

Celebrate the Mid-Summer Harvest at “The Gathering at RT Lodge,” August 2 – 4

RT Lodge, a charming 55-room retreat and regional restaurant in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, presents The Gathering at RT Lodge. The inaugural weekend-long epicurean event will highlight a collective gathering of regional chefs, brewers, artisans and high-profile growers and suppliers to celebrate the mid-summer harvest from Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4. 

“We’re excited to bring together a community of people who share a passion for all things homegrown, hand-raised and homemade in the region, and we’re humbled by the enthusiasm we’ve received so far from everyone participating,” says Trevor Stockton, executive chef of the Restaurant at RT Lodge. “We look forward to the first of many annual mid-summer events celebrating the season’s bounty in beautiful East Tennessee.”

Gather for a Weekend of Intimate, Immersive Experiences

Attendees of The Gathering at RT Lodge will spend the weekend enjoying lodge-style accommodations on the serene, wooded campus of Maryville College in East Tennessee while participating in immersive activities led by culinary experts that celebrate regional food and beverages.

Programming includes tastings from regional Bearded Iris Brewery, tastings and tours at nearby Blackberry Farm Brewery, hands-on demos from Vienna Coffee, a panel discussion with acclaimed culinary and beverage experts Allan Benton (Benton’s Country Hams) and Colleen Cruze (Cruze Farm) among others, live musical performances and more. The highlights of the weekend will be mealtime when attendees will get up close with acclaimed Southern chefs when they sit down for intimate, family-style meals, including a Friday evening whole-hog barbecue with Trevor Stockton (the Restaurant at RT Lodge) and a regional pit master, and a Saturday collaborative dinner with Stockton, Andy Little (Josephine), Richard Neal (Admiral) and Rick Mace (Café Boulud Palm Beach).

Getting There, Ticketing and Other Details

RT Lodge is in Maryville, Tennessee just 25 minutes outside of Knoxville and 15 minutes from the McGhee Tyson Airport. Costs are $750 for a single occupancy room and ticket and $1,250 for a double occupancy room and two tickets. For the full schedule of events and to secure your reservation at The Gathering, visit www.rtlodge.com/events.