Farmer’s Market Dinner Party with Yankee Candle

farmer's market party table — What could be better than a harvest dinner to ring in the Fall season?

I’m not sure anything ushers in Fall more than a good old local farmer’s market, where the vegetables of the season are just harvested, breads and baked goods are homemade, and the sense of community is abundant. I’m celebrating the start of autumn by inviting neighbors over for a farmers market dinner party and I’m using Yankee Candle’s new Farmers Market Collection to help me!

Set the Mood

farmer's market dinner party scene — A cozy spot in the the garden was a perfect backdrop for this party

My garden seemed like the logical place to have a dinner – tucked behind a guest house in a cozy corner of my backyard, it’s surrounded by a bougevvilla-encased firewood pile, a potting table, raised planter boxes and grapevines.

outdoor farmer's market dinner party with host — My stone sink behind me gets the privilege of washing fresh veggies from the garden!

Flagstone steps lead the way to the pergola that shades an old stone sink, and that’s where the little prizes from our garden get their initial wash. It’s also where I created a bar to serve spiked cider beverages with apples I picked up at the farmer’s market! Here are 10 creative apple cider recipes to choose from.

apple cider candle — A potting table was the perfect place to set up my mulled cider drinks, and the Ciderhouse fragrance was the ideal fragrance to add to my impromptu garden bar!

Farmers Market Dinner Party Table

Using a Kraft paper table runner, simple red striped napkins and rustic white stoneware for dinner plates, I set my teak table for 8.

farmer's market outdoor table setting — With grapevines lining the back wall, it couldn’t have been a more idyllic setting for my farmer’s market dinner party

Naturally, a farmer’s market was my theme, so using fresh vegetables of the season made perfect sense for a centerpiece. There was no rhyme or reason to how these were laid out! Starting with kale and chard as a base, I then layered with the veggies: carrots (with long, leafy stems), Cauliflower (various colors), and radishes (with fresh, fluffy green tops). Elevating some of the produce helps give height interest as well. Finally, loaves of freshly-baked bread placed on the table completed the look.

farmer's market dinner party aerial table view — Layering produce from the bottom up and using different colors will lend to an abundant autumn vegetable harvest right in front of your guests!

autumn harvest candle — With familiar scents of mulled fruits, rich berries and weathered woods, this Farmstand Festival candle is reminiscent of an inviting autumn market.

What to Serve

farmer's market dinner party vegetable plate — How cute are these copper coquettes? Sized for individual crudités servings, every guest gets their own!

Using my mini copper coquettes, smaller-sized veggies were placed in each one: I used heirloom baby carrots, blanched haricot verts, asparagus, and rainbow radishes. Tzatziki dip is a refreshing pairing for the crudités – one bowl at each end for easy access!

proscuitto bruschetta appetizer — Easy and quick, these proscuitto bruschetta are a welcome addition to my farmer’s market dinner party – salty, sweet and crunchy!

Here’s how to assemble the prosciutto bruschetta – plan about 20 minutes from start to end:

Baguette slices – 1/2″ thick, brushed with olive oil and toasted under a broiler until light brown (3-4 mins). Then add the following:
Goat cheese – 1 teaspoon per slice
Proscuitto – Cut in 1/2, piled on top
Figs – 1 thin slice per baguette
Honey – drizzle on top

farmer's market party table with food and decor — A little drizzle of good-quality honey gives just the right amount of sweetness to the bruschetta. I use the back of a spoon to do this.

farmer's market dinner party with family and friends — My mom and Palmer are always there with a helping hand!

Extra Touches

When it comes to hosting parties at my home, I always remember to dress up my powder room with florals and a beautifully-scented lit candle.

lavender candle — The comforting fragrance of woodsy spices and hand-tied lavender in Yankee Candle’s Dried Lavender and Oak mill about in my powder room – such a treat for my guests! The purple hue in the candle inspired my color theme so everything coordinates perfectly.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my take on a farmer’s market dinner party. Centered on community and bringing home the experience of a trip to the local farmer’s market, it’s a perfect reason to celebrate Fall.