Above: More than 100 people turned out for the Golden Pheasant, a farm to table event at Mt. Hope Farm Sunday evening. The dinner benefits the farm and its plans to build a community garden.

Surrounded by historic buildings and blooming flowers on a warm, sunny evening, guests enjoyed a gourmet meal made from locally raised food Sunday, all to help raise more local food.

The Golden Pheasant, a farm-to-table event, attracted 125 guests to Mount Hope Farm Sunday evening to enjoy local chef Russell Morin Fine Catering's creations, all made with vegetables, mushrooms, fish and meat that were caught, grown or raised in Rhode Island, many from the East Bay. The dinner in the meadow near the historic house and barn — at $125 a plate — benefits Mount Hope Farm and its efforts to create a handicap accessible community garden on its grounds.

"This will help us get the community garden built. This was the perfect event to inspire that," said Executive Director Jennifer Bristol. "All the beds and paths will be handicap accessible. People will be able to pull their wheelchair right up to the beds."

The farm expects to have the community garden in place by the second week of July, after which members of the community are welcome to grow vegetables and help maintain the garden. All food produced will be donated to East Bay Food Pantry, Ms. Bristol said.

Russell Morin, the exclusive caterer for events at the farm, showed just what can be done with the ingredients originating in the East Bay. Guests enjoyed seafood chowder with clams, shrimp and scallops during a cocktail hour before the three-course meal served al fresco.

The first course included a mushroom stroganoff with Rainbow Swiss chard, served with biscuits and apple butter. The main course featured top round with fresh herb chimmichurri, and pan seared local haddock, with quinoa, peas and roasted corn on the side. Dessert was a lavender creme brule made from eggs at Mount Hope Farm and lavender from Maplewood Farm in Portsmouth.

Other featured farms included the Rhode Island Mushroom Company, Indie Growers, Red's Best, Windmist Farm and Acacia Cafe in Little Compton.

In addition to drawing attention to locally produced food, the event also served to honor Joseph M. Brito, the outgoing president of Mount Hope Farm's Board of Trustees, who has been instrumental in rescuing the farm from financial troubles and putting it on the course to thrive as it is today, in addition to donating and raising countless sums to support the farm's operations, Ms. Bristol said.

"There is so much Joe has done for the farm," she said. "He has been a very hands-on president. Before, the farm didn't have the structure to support the programs. Joe took that on. He has helped us raise money and supported us in the community. I can't say enough about Joe's support. If something is going wrong, he's here. He gets it done."

The farm dedicated the garden behind the historic home to Mr. Brito, erecting a small obelisk with a plaque thanking him for his "time, leadership and dedication."