Sometimes the stars align and magic happens at The Good Earth. Last night was one of those special nights; one of those special evenings that make a smile appear from ear to ear and one’s heart sing with joy.
Yesterday evening, one of our favourite guest chefs at The Good Earth (and long time rogue bachelor), Roberto Fracchioni said “I do” to his beautiful, radiant bride, Janine Waschuk under the rustling leaves of my old maple in the garden. The couple were surrounded by close family (lots of adorable flower girls and cute pageboys) and friends in an intimate celebration of their love. Our favourite officiant Sheldon Kofsky did a marvelous job of incorporating just enough elements of the Catholic tradition into the ceremony to keep the traditionalists happy on both sides of the family.
This was “Frac” and Janine’s second ceremony as they had eloped in NYC last November. What they quickly realized was that something was missing. They wanted to share their happiness with the people that meant so much to them. Originally, they had hoped to celebrate in Italy at Casa Fracchioni in a village north of Milano where the family roots are deeply planted. Not being able to make that happen, they chose to create a little piece of Italy at The Good Earth. And they did! For a few hours we were transported to Italy complete with traditional accordion music provided by the talented handsome Claudio Santaluce.
Rob and Janine chose August 15th as their special day — Ferragosto– a day filled with all sorts of significance for Italians. As you can imagine, food was a huge consideration for this celebration. Frac and Janine worked with our Chef Michael Pasto to choose some classic, simple, yet totally delicious dishes for the wedding feast. And it was a feast! We had freshly shucked Malpeque oysters from our friends at Rodney’s Oyster House and sinfully delicious arancini. We started the evening with grilled peaches from the orchard, Pingue prosciutto and buratta cheese with garden arugula and pesto. A simple linguine alla chitarra (deftly made by Michael with his trusty and able assistant for the evening Chef Tony de Luca) followed by roast veal with salsa verde and oven roasted fingerling potatoes. All this was washed down with copious glasses of The Good Wine (or Orangina for the wee folk). The very pregnant Amanda came out to bake the wedding cake (a Janine speciality – zucchini cake with cream cheese icing) and then as at all Italian meals, plates of ripe local fruits and figs were shared by all.
The table was truly a tableau created by our favourite and über talented “flower girl” Jennifer of Mimosa Flower Studio. Her equally talented hubby Mark, hung the crystal chandeliers and brought the planks of wood from a barn floor for the table “runner”. The simplicity and elegance of the table setting was simply breathtaking! Add to that the twinkle of candles and the chirping of crickets and…magic!
Nicolette and Zio Fred tripping the light fantastic
I was lucky to be a guest last night. I cannot tell you how much fun I had flirting with Frac’s octogenarian “zios” — one more charming and lively than the next. We chatted and danced and laughed as one should at a wedding! I don’t know when I last had so much fun. I even had the chance to dance a tarantella with Chef Tony! Ahh, the Italians truly understand how to live life to the fullest!
Frac and Janine showed us all the recipe for a great wedding celebration:
Take a gaggle of close family and mix thoroughly with a handful of closest friends. Sprinkle with laughter and simplicity. Take the hand of the one you love, open your heart and pledge your love to one another. Sprinkle the combined love over the assembled. Hug, kiss, hold close and laugh. Repeat with every person.
The setting, the flowers, the food, the wine were all just perfect but it was the people that made yesterday magical! Tanti auguri!