“One Night at Bresca”
Chef Krista Desjarlais
Oh, what a night! For this very special evening, we were transported back in time to enjoy an evening at Chef Kern Desjarlais’ beloved Portland restaurant, Bresca.
Our wonderful community of guests, many of whom had dined at Bresca back in the day and are ardent fans, kicked off the evening with a warm cocktail hour in the forest grove. Perhaps Timber & Moss’ spring-inspired florals heralded in a bit of early spring!
After a delicious cocktail hour (roasted medjool dates with gorgonzola dolce! carmelized onion, prosciutto and warm anchovy vinaigrette on flatbreads!), guests transitioned to the barn where they were greeted by rose petals, an ode to Bresca’s floral styling back in the day.
Dinner, which was entirely gluten free, kicked off with a savory, heaping winter brussel salad. Soon after, family style platters of perfectly cooked duck breast with roman trading spices, frisee, roasted grapes, gastrique, and polenta hit the table. Then, to bring the nostalgic Bresca flavors home, a most perfect buttermilk panna cotta, topped with passion fruit broth and orange blossom sorbet. It was a plate that could momentarily transport you to a tropical place (or at least to a perfect seat in a very special spot on Middle Street, circa 2012).
Krista Kern Desjarlais has worked in the restaurant industry for more than 40 years. In 2007, Krista opened her first restaurant, Bresca, in Portland, and was nominated for a James Beard Award, Best Chef Northeast, in 2011 and was on the semifinalist list for four additional years. In 2013, Krista closed Bresca to focus on raising her daughter and opened Bresca & the Honeybee at Outlet Beach. Shortly after, she opened The Purple House wood-fired bakery. Krista was once again a semi finalist in 2018 and 2019 and a finalist in 2020 for the James Beard Award, Best Chef Northeast.
Collaborators: Big Tree Catering (beverages and service), Hitched Willie Photography, Timber & Moss Florals, Roaming Speakeasy, Griffin & Griffin Lighting, One Stop Event Rentals
