After seven years of oversight by our horticulturist Leita, the Castle Hill garden program has really come into its own! It began with just six planting beds that doubled into twelve, and a greenhouse that doubled in size, due to the early success of our culinary garden under Leita’s green thumb. We now call it our Harvest Garden, while its sister garden, which started as a cutting garden three years ago, we have embraced as our Healing Garden.
Asian Eggplant harvest in hand, Leita checks on the newest plantings of Fairytale Eggplants.
The entrance to our Healing Garden
Teamwork does make the dream work: Leita is happy to have Maddie back as her assistant again this year.
Leita and Maddie work together on the day’s harvest.
From eggplants for the Eggplant Sandwich to cucumbers for the Farm Salad at The Lawn restaurant to edible flowers that garnish a plethora of the dishes at Castle Hill Inn, the Harvest Garden provides our chefs with the freshest ingredients for their culinary creations.
Cucumbers ready for the picking.
For the six-course menu in the Dining Room, Chef de Cuisine Dylan Cadrette carefully combines fresh garden ingredients into the beautifully balanced dishes. The striped bass currently features kohlrabi, radishes, and lettuce from the garden.
Leita was discovered by Chef Lou through her father Will, who provides Castle Hill Inn with heirloom tomatoes from their Rose Hill Farm in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Chef Lou has now taken on the larger responsibility of being our Food & Beverage Director, overseeing operations for our two restaurants, three bars, and two event venues (the Chalet at Castle Hill and the Bohlin in downtown Newport). Stepping into his shoes as Executive Chef is our very own Chef Andy. These two talented, dedicated chefs have collaborated for many years at Castle Hill and even went to culinary school together. We are so lucky to have them!
Our new Beverage Manager Amy knows a good thing when she sees it too and has been working to incorporate garden elements into our signature drinks.
Hemingway Daiquiri and Mansion Gin & Tonic
Lastly, if you are looking for a zen moment, overnight guests are invited to enjoy a guided mediation in our Healing Garden on Thursday mornings. The Healing Garden is located across from our Beach House rooms which I am told are a tonic for the soul as well.
-Shea C Nelson