Walter inspects the front lawn in anticipation of the festivities.
It’s been 25 years since the first guests looked up across the front lawn at Langdon Hall ready to be welcomed by founders Mary Beaton and Bill Bennett. After many changes and developments over the last quarter century, including the recent addition of chef Jason Bangerter (see the GFR interview here) and a new kitchen set-up for his brigade, that magnificent view up the hill to the 19th Century mansion remains consistently breathtaking and foretelling of good things to come. So, it seems entirely fitting that the Relais & Chateau hotel, spa and dining room’s birthday party be held on the Langdon lawn: a picnic concert featuring chef Bangerter’s food and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony’s music on Sunday, July 27.
Surprisingly, given its prominence, this will be the first time an event has ever been held on the lawn, although Beaton admits that guests have asked hopefully if they were used that way. It also turns out the lawn (or as Beatons says “lawns”) were designed by the Olmsted Brothers, sons of Frederick Law Olmsted and, as Bennett notes with pride, “designers of grand parks and historic estates throughout North America.” The couple, who (full disclosure) are friends of mine, are genuinely excited to use the picturesque asset for the anniversary party.
The picnic is to begin, rain or shine, at 12:30, with the musical program (reproduced below) beginning at 2pm. Tickets are $100 and available from Langdon Hall by calling 1-800-268-1898. Since the event is on a Sunday, Langdon Hall encourages attendees to take advantage of their Sunday Night Special rates.
Kitchener – Waterloo Symphony Programme:
Giovanni Gabrieli (1554 – 1612) Canzona Per Sonare No. 1 “La Spiritata” 3:00
Giovanni Gabrieli (1554 – 1612) Canzona Per Sonare no. 2 2:30
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade, K.525) 9:00
Ennio Morricone / Dan Warren Debora’s Theme 4:00
Edvard Grieg (1843 – 1907) Holberg Suite (From Holberg’s Time), op.40 6:30
Elton John / Dan Warren Your Song 4:01
Gustav Holst (1874 – 1934) St. Paul’s Suite, op.29, no.2 8:00
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) K.136 (125a), D major 9:00
TOTAL DURATION: 0:46:01
Malcolm Jolley is a founding editor of Good Food Revolution and Executive Director of Good Food Media, the company that publishes it. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook
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