Bogner's Medieval Feast a Big Success
30 Jan 2019
Special to The Herald
Minstrels and merry makers descended on Bogner’s of Penticton last week at the restaurant’s first annual Mid-Winter Medieval feast.
Guests dined on medieval fare while being serenaded and entertained by local musicians.
The four-course meal, prepared by chef Darin Paterson, included rabbit stew, pottage suet pudding and pork pies – with, of course, a roasted boar’s head being led through the dining hall by carollers.
“I had a great time interpreting ageold recipes and playing with flavours and techniques,” says Paterson.
The event, which sold out within days, featured the music of Tracy Fehr, lyric coloratura soprano, Seraphim Vocal Ensemble (Heather Allen, Jay Demetrick and Derek Beaton), Bob Park on lute and Nicole Handford on flute.
The entertainment included old favourites such as “Greensleeves” and “Early One Morning,” and music by some of the most notable female composers from the 1100s: Hildegard von Bingen and Beatriz de Dia.
“It was a delight to introduce ‘Beatriz’s A Chantar’ to the audience,” says Fehr. “This song is one of the only remaining works by a trobairitz – the female equivalent of a troubadour.”
Many guests came in full costume, which along with a hall filled with candlelight and tree boughs, some lively poetry readings, and a cold winter wind blowing outside, added to the festive atmosphere.
“Surely, Bogner’s original owners, Dr. and Mrs. Herb McGregor, were looking down from above with smiles on their faces, as they fondly recollected similar rousing house parties a century ago,” said Malcolm Paterson, who along with his wife Sandra dressed up and greeted guests as the Lord and Lady of the Manor