Out & About: Latrobe Art Center supporters dine on famed Jamison lamb

Shirley McMarlin
Sunday, July 23, 2023 12:01 a.m. | Sunday, July 23, 2023 12:01 a.m.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Chef Steven Hill prepares the main course at Latrobe Art Center’s annual lamb dinner on July 16 at Jamison Farm in Unity.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Jamison Farm owners Sukey and John Jamison (center) with Latrobe Art Center executive director Michael Tusay and assistant director Joe Bellack at the center’s annual lamb dinner on July 16 at the Unity farm.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Bruce and Heather Newell of Penn Township at Latrobe Art Center’s annual lamb dinner on July 16 at Jamison Farm in Unity.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Nancy and Chuck Anderson of Greensburg at Latrobe Art Center’s annual lamb dinner on July 16 at Jamison Farm in Unity.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Marie Zanotti (left) of Latrobe with Sandra Svilar and Rick Kunkle, both of Ligonier, at Latrobe Art Center’s annual lamb dinner on July 16 at Jamison Farm in Unity.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Tom Medvitz (left) of Pittsburgh North Side, Laura Manion of Ligonier and Erin Codey of Johnstown at Latrobe Art Center’s annual lamb dinner on July 16 at Jamison Farm in Unity.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Meg Ross and Tom Grace, both of Greensburg, at Latrobe Art Center’s annual lamb dinner on July 16 at Jamison Farm in Unity.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

A book by Jamison Farm owners John and Sukey Jamison signed by renowned French chef Jacques Pepin, on display at Latrobe Art Center’s annual lamb dinner on July 16 at the Unity farm.

For more than 40 years, John and Sukey Jamison of Unity have raised lambs destined for fine dining tables across the country.

They’ve also hosted an annual dinner fundraiser for the Latrobe Art Center — a longstanding and eagerly anticipated tradition, according to executive director Michael Tusay.

Guests gathered for this year’s event on July 16 in a pavilion overlooking Jamison Farm’s 212 rolling green acres.

During pre-dinner mingling, they were able to peruse a table of farm memorabilia, including a copy of the Jamisons’ book, “Coyotes in the Pasture and Wolves at the Door,” signed by renowned French chef Jacques Pepin, and a framed menu also hand-lettered and decorated by Pepin.

Chef Steven Hill, formerly of the Westmoreland Country Club and now with Chartiers Country Club, tended the grill as tantalizing aromas wafted through the air.

Guests brought their own wine selections to accompany the meal.

Appetizers included cheeses, hummus and merguez, a spicy lamb sausage.

Dinner began with asparagus soup, mixed greens salad and garden beets with goat cheese. The main course was grilled leg of lamb with spinach and onion sauce, rosemary new potatoes and roasted cherry tomatoes.

If diners weren’t thoroughly sated by then, they indulged in chocolate delight with mint creme.

Seen at the farm-to-table dinner: Latrobe Art Center assistant director Joe Bellack, Chuck and Nancy Anderson, Dennis and Kathy Rafferty, Bruce and Heather Newell, Laura Manion, Tom Medvitz, Erin Codey, Meg Ross and Tom Grace, Marie Zanotti, Sandra Svilar, Rick Kunkle, Nancy Mauser, Tom and Gina Hockycko and Carol Hill.