Bessie North House Pig Roast

Bessie North House Pig Roast
By Scott Campbell

When my editor told me that she needed stories with a farm theme, I knew exactly what I wanted to write about. Recently, as part of their thank you to their Kickstarter supporters, Dave Smart and his wife, Susan – co-owners of Bessie North House Farm and Restaurant – had a pig roast.

This amazing new venture, located on Bessie North Road just outside of Canning, is already proving to be a successful restaurant with reservations for sold out nights well into the summer and fall, but let’s talk about the farm. Situated on 5 acres at the base of the north mountain, this rich land provides much of the produce that you’ll experience in the restaurant. Chef Smart and Susan take great pride in the “farm to table” nature of Bessie North House, and there are plans to develop the farm further and include orchards and chickens. To walk around the grounds of the farm is to almost slip back to a time that was less complicated, less hectic but far richer.

The pig roast we were treated to was brilliant. Family-style picnic tables were situated around the back lawn of the property. A small bar provided all the beverages we needed and each table was elegantly decorated with small vases of wild flowers that I suspect were picked very close by. The roasted pig was joined by salads, coleslaw, and rolls, all of it delicious, but it was much more than the fantastic food. There is a sense of peace and quiet in this place that is difficult to describe if you haven’t experienced it. We bumped into some friends we hadn’t seen in a while, and soon were chatting with new friends we’d just made. We knew we were all there as a thank you for participating in a Kickstarter campaign, but the sense of gratitude seemed to be going both ways as each of us who enjoyed the pig roast were also feeling very grateful to be sharing this amazing pastoral paradise.

If you haven’t had a chance to experience the Bessie North House Farm and Restaurant then I encourage you to do so as fast as you can. The restaurant features seating for 12 people and there’s only one seating per night, so make sure you contact them soon and get your name on that list. I think you too will find that you will leave the Bessie North House Farm and Restaurant having had a deliciously satisfying meal and having experienced something that is warm and old and familiar and, I think, uncommon in today’s fast-paced world.

Cheers.

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