When we first moved to America at the beginning of this year and I stumbled upon the world of Kinfolk, it was instant love. What I found was a magazine that drew creative goodness from all sorts of inspiring folk and places, filling its pages with lush photography, inspiring interviews, travel stories and general visual sumptuousness. The part I loved the most was their simple and sweet philosophy of appreciating and sharing good food, good conversation and life’s best moments among small gatherings of people.

Having a quiet moment to sit with its matte paper pages whilst dreaming of being in a Kinfolk world and eating Kinfolk food is my idea of complete heaven. So, when I heard about the launch of their first cookbook, “The Kinfolk Table”, and the opportunity to attend just one of the many Kinfolk Dinners being held around the world to celebrate the launch of the cookbook, I was on it. And very excited.

The nearest Kinfolk Table Dinner to me was held just outside of beautiful Charlestion, in South Carolina. The dinner took place on Duex Puces Farm (French for “two fleas”). It was the most perfect setting for a picnic dinner complete with an old farm house, farm animals, bee hives, a board walk that lead out to the river and a lush field of green grass that we could all gather, eat, drink, sit, laugh and be merry on.

The entire evening took my breath away.

The farm had been beautifully decorated and set up by the talents of Tara Derr Webb (owner of Duex Puces) and Olivia Rae James. On arrival, we were greeted with local and freshly shucked oysters and clams and a choice of two delicious cocktails. White port and Jack Rudy tonic anyone? Now quite possibly my favourite drink… We were invited to stroll the pier and go on boat rides along the river. Then the rain came, but it didn’t keep anyone from enjoying the scene and company of everyone, including the chefs who continued to smoke their sausage and bake their bread on the outdoor fire pit. We wandered inside the farm house that had been fittingly decked out with a selection of local artists work – photography, taxidermy and prints. All fabulous.

When it was time to eat, we all sat at picnic tables on rugs on the grass and were served local beer and freshly baked bread. We feasted on a selection of charcuterie, soups, salads and the most delicious ratatouille. The autumn air was crisp but not cold and once the clouds cleared, the full moon was up.

Once our bellies were full of savory goodness, we all gathered underneath the farm house to enjoy fresh brewed coffee from Black Tap, ginger biscuits from Sugar, and huge cheese wheels that could be sliced and generously covered with honey and preserves. Night caps were also flowing from the bar and a roving blue grass duet with their double bass and banjo topped the atmosphere off just nicely.

There was also a very inviting campfire lit which of course, called for S’mores. Homemade marshmallows had been prepared by the chefs, along with two choices of chocolate – dark chili with brown sugar or white infused with rosemary.

The entire time I was just blown away by the thought that all of these people had gathered on this farm, all with the same intention of sharing a lovely evening with like minded people enjoying good food, beautiful surroundings, and good company. I couldn’t get enough. It was just too good.

At the end of the evening after my belly was full and my clothes smelt of campfire smoke, I went home. And I took away with me fond memories, new friends, lots of photos and an even bigger, warmer love for Kinfolk.

Can’t wait for another dinner next year.