Sit down next to an antiques enthusiast for a while and you’ll quickly discover a grand infatuation with the stories behind each item. It’s the unique tales and deep history tagging along with these collectible pieces that make them truly desirable.
I was surrounded by several members of the Chester County Historical Society recently as we gathered to sample cuisine for this year’s Chester County Antiques Show Preview Party. Each tasting guest unanimously agreed on the importance of a piece’s history and even went so far as to suggest that it was the driving force behind the show. Now in its 31st year, the theme of the 2013 show is Architectural Elements in Furniture, which allows plenty of room for interesting stories and intriguing history. However, even with all the artifacts to ogle, I quickly found while sitting at the tasting table that there is another player in the Chester County Antiques Show that appreciates a good background as well–the caterer.
Our preview tasting was hosted by Jimmy Duffy’s of Downingtown, PA, whose attention to detail extends beyond presentation to the source of its ingredients. While headquartered in a Chester County town, Jimmy Duffy’s has a world of experience. They have catered events to celebrate Eleanor Roosevelt’s visits to Philadelphia and even catered the marriage reception for Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. In 1979, Jimmy Duffy’s catered for the Pope.
Jimmy Duffy’s legendary cuisine, exceptional service and comprehensive event management enabled the caterer to work with such esteemed clients back then, and those are the same factors that the company will put into action as the caterer for the Chester County Antiques Show Preview Party, unfolding Friday, April 5, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Pol Duffy, who now runs the show with his sister Helene Wilson and fourth-generation lad Matt Duffy, informed the tasting guests of the company’s local philosophy after compliments came pouring in from every side of the table. When ingredients can be gathered from nearby purveyors, they are. Pol Duffy has upheld a close relationship with farmers in Lancaster since taking the reins many years ago; the olives used in a favorite hors d’oeuvre of the tasting, for example, came from Chester County olive trees. The interesting aspect–and slightly ironic, too, considering the event being catered–is Pol’s reasoning for using local ingredients, which goes beyond the need for freshness. It’s also driven by an appreciation for hard work and the background of each top-notch, local ingredient before it becomes one of Jimmy Duffy’s delightful offerings.
I immediately recognized the correlation between appreciating fine antiques and appreciating food. For both committee members organizing the Antiques Show and for Pol Duffy putting together a customized menu, there is more to explore than meets the eye. Both want items with depth, personality and a unique flare–items that don’t have just the wow factor, but go beyond the wow factor.
This was certainly the case with our tasting that evening. From the Caesar salad canapes (pictured above) to the pulled pork bruschetta (pictured below), each bite was more than an hors d’oeuvre, and Pol was happy to explore the details of each of the carefully picked menu items. Even the honey brie, pecan and pear bruschetta had a fun story behind it, involving a failed attempt at a dessert. Failed or not, we all happily welcomed seconds and thirds of the outstanding hors d’oeuvre. It was impossible to say no to such fantastic flavors.
It was a real pleasure to be seated with such passionate people, all of whom were dedicated to preserving the past–the old school, hard-working way–while blending new age techniques at the same time. To think, this was only a tasting! The big show will soon unfold, come April 5, when Jimmy Duffy’s catering, in conjunction with Doc Magrogan’s, will make the Chester County Antiques Show Preview Party an utterly delicious experience. That evening, appreciation for hard work in two separate industries will collide to create one very memorable event.
Tickets are currently on sale for the Chester County Antiques Show Preview Party and may be purchased here.
Don’t forget to check out scenes from last year’s Preview Party here.
