Slow down; sign up

Climb on the farm-to-fork train Oct. 3 at the Bed and Bike Inn in Gold Hill (about an hour east of Charlotte). Chefs Kyle Krieger (Noble's), Jamie Lynch (Barrington's), Sean Dowling (131 Main), Sam Jett (Blue), Zack Renner (Harvest Moon Grill) and pastry chef Ashley Boyd (300 East) will offer courses celebrating community -- and benefitting Friendship Trays and Slow Food Charlotte.

Organizers want to stress the importance of sustainable farming, local businesses and charitable giving, and ingredients (so far, according to Fisher Farms) will include rabbit from Full Circle Farm, pork from Grateful Growers, eggs from Laughing Owl and Yesterways farms, tomatoes from Fisher Farms, eggplant from Fisher or Carlea or Laughing Owl, mushrooms from Landis Gourmet Mushrooms and/or Clover Organic Mushroom Farm, apples from Nise's, goat cheese from Bosky Acres, assorted greens from Nise's and Poplin Farms and more.

Rain delayed this dinner from Sept. 26, so the hope is for clear weather, and there should be a full moon that night. Other fun details include a contest for best wine glass (the dinner is bring-your-own-glass), live music from Pfeiffer University, a silent auction of local services, art and gift certificates. Cost is $75 and you must reserve through e-mail to fisherfarms1933@gmail.com.

Friendship Trays delivers meals to elderly, handicapped and convalescing people. Slow Food is a nonprofit group founded to "counteract fast food and fast life."