The annual Wild Game Dinner, now in its 12th year, happened February 19, 2019 at Chestnut.
Growing up, Forrest Jarrett developed a passion for hunting in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Because of his passion, he became an advocate for conservation and wildlife protection efforts. Jarrett spent several decades as the Director of Police for Southern Railway (which later became Norfolk Southern after a merger). He worked with congressmen to purchase property for a 500-acre lake and hunting preserve, and after the property was acquired he gave it to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Today, the Sandy Mush Game Lands are open to the public for hunting, fishing, camping, bird watching and other activities.
Over the years, Forrest Jarrett has helped organize an annual Wild Game Dinner fundraiser that supports various wildlife conservation efforts across North Carolina. Recently, the annual Wild Game Dinner in Asheville, North Carolina was renamed the Forrest E. Jarrett Wild Game Dinner for Wildlife Conservation in his honor.
Our team at Chestnut has the pleasure of accepting wild game from recent hunts and preparing this special meal event for local and regional guests.
This past February was no exception. The evening began with a reception, during which Chestnut’s staff delighted guests with small bites, including:
- Corn fried oysters with housemade honey mustard
- Smoked duck tacos with jicama slaw, chimichurri and aioli
- Curried pheasant dip with City Bakery crostini
Meanwhile, charcuterie boards heaped with tasso ham, rabbit pate, bear terrine and local cheeses were placed around the bar for guests to enjoy as they socialized.
The main menu featured:
- 1st course: Chicken Fried Quail with Collards and Sorghum “Gastrique”
- 2nd course: Pecan Crusted Trout with Winter Greens, Pomegranate, and Sweet Potato Crisps
- 3rd course: Crepinette of Smoked Caribou and Venison with Red Wine Mushroom Sauce, Brown Butter Broccolini, and Chateau Potatoes
- 4th course: Chocolate Stout Cake with Barley Malt Ice Cream, Chocolate Shell and Amaranth Crumbs
After dinner, guests toasted Forrest Jarrett and then rounded out the night with the annual raffle drawing, featuring prizes ranging from hats and T-shirts to Yeti coolers and hunting rifles.
Proceeds from the Wild Game Dinner benefited the Haywood Community College Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society (Wildlife Club), which received a donation in honor of Mr. Forrest Jarrett.
The Wildlife Club hosted the Southeastern Wildlife Conclave at Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC March 15th-19th, 2020. Over 500 students and faculty from wildlife and fisheries management programs at 24 universities throughout the southeast attended this major conservation event that has occurred annually for over 30 years.
The Southeastern Wildlife Conclave is a rare opportunity for students to experience firsthand the importance of professional involvement. Conclave consists of three days of wildlife management-related academic and physical competitions, hands-on workshops, professional talks, and the opportunity to network with students, faculty, and conservation professionals. Attendees are among the best and brightest of our local future conservation professionals.
Here are some photos from the evening:
