Hearth to Table Special Edition: Historic Harvest Dining Experience
Celebrate the harvest with a plated meal featuring five 17th-century courses served by candlelight on the grounds of historic Sainte-Marie!
Date and time
Location
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
16164 Ontario 12 Midland, ON L4R 4K8 CanadaAgenda
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Explore the museum and watch introductory film
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Historic overview
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Dining experience
Good to know
Highlights
- 2 hours, 30 minutes
- Ages 13+
- In person
- Free venue parking
- Doors at 5:30 PM
Refund Policy
About this event
Special edition of Hearth to Table: Dinner in 1648
Celebrate the Harvest in Historic Style
Join us for an indulgent celebration of the harvest season! Guests will be treated to a beautifully plated, five-course, 17th-century feast —featuring sumptuous renditions of turkey ragout, velvety pumpkin pottage, and a spiced apple tourte.
The chapel will be transformed with heirloom gourds and lush seasonal foliage, creating a warm, immersive setting that evokes the spirit of a historic harvest celebration. As a special keepsake, each guest will receive a beautifully crafted recipe booklet, allowing them to recreate these timeless dishes at home.
About Hearth to Table
Savour 17th-century gourmet dishes by candlelight right on the grounds of historic Sainte-Marie. This dining series invites guests to gather around a harvest table inside the chapel of the reconstructed Jesuit mission and enjoy a delicious, multi-course French meal featuring historic seasonal ingredients carefully prepared using methods from the 1600s.
Start each course with an introduction from a costumed interpreter specializing in 17th-century cooking. Learn to appreciate the many challenges and intricacies – from basic technology to limited vegetable options – of preparing an epicurean French-style meal in this era, before enjoying your taste of history.
Menu for Saturday, October 11
- Pottage: Creamy pumpkin simmered with clove-studded onion, fresh butter, and a whisper of pepper, finished with warm milk and a golden egg drizzle.
- Asparagus in Herbed Pea Velouté: Tender asparagus spears nestled in a velvety green pea and herb purée, garnished with buttery spring greens and sautéed baby peas.
- Glazed Parsnips in Nutmeg Butter: Sweet parsnips gently simmered and glazed in a rich butter sauce with hints of nutmeg and a touch of bouillon.
- Ragout of Young Turkey: Delicately dressed and pan-seared young turkey, slow-simmered in a savory bouillon reduction with aromatic herbs.
- Apple Tourte with Currants: A golden pastry filled with spiced apples, currants, and pine nuts, kissed with lemon zest and cinnamon, then baked to a caramelized finish.
Historically-flavoured water included. Wine and beer pairings available at an additional cost via EventBrite.
Note due to the unique ingredients, recipes, and presentation for this 17th-century menu, Sainte-Marie cannot accommodate dietary restrictions and requests.
Questions?
For questions about booking or the experience, contact hhp@ontario.ca or 705-526-7838. For questions about ingredients or food preparation, contact restaurantsaintemarie@gmail.com or 705-321-2912
Frequently asked questions
Please be advised that with the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed on the historic site for this special event.
The chapel at Sainte-Marie is wheelchair accessible, however note that paths on the historic site are made of dirt, gravel or woodchip and can be tough to navigate in muddy weather. Sainte-Marie offers accessible restrooms.
Note that Sainte-Marie cannot accommodate dietary restrictions and requests for this carefully-curated, specialized, 17th-century-inspired menu. For questions about ingredients and preparation methods, please contact Restaurant Sainte-Marie at 705-321-2912 or email restaurantsaintemarie@gmail.com.
Smoking or vaping (including marijuana) is not permitted on the property.
Refunds and ticket modifications can be made up to 7 days prior to the event date through Eventbrite. However, due to the need to source specialized ingredients for this unique menu, all sales for this limited-capacity dining experience are final.
Tickets to the Hometown Harvest Festival are sold separately for $15 per person, tax included. The festival takes place at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons on Saturday, October 11 to Monday, October 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Tickets for the festival can be added to your Hearth experience via EventBrite.
Carefully selected wine pairings to accompany each course, featuring several French wines, are available for an additional $18 plus tax and Eventbrite fees to add to your unique dining experience. In addition, a cash bar serving beer and more will be in the nearby cookhouse on the historic grounds.
The historic chapel on the grounds of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons does not have air conditioning, nor is it heated. However, we will install space heaters or box fans according to the weather forecast.