Past Gatherings
A look at the food, friends, and gatherings that have helped shape The Gray Barn Affair.
GBA SIGNATURE EVENTS
Fall Harvest Dinner
A seasonal four-course seated dinner at The Gray Barn Affair, featuring fall-inspired food, signature cocktails, warm hospitality, and a relaxed evening gathered around the table.
Heard at the Table - "Elevated food in a beautiful location."
A taste of the evening. Menu: The evening opened with pear and thyme focaccia finished with honey and candied walnuts, followed by a seasonal kale and roasted squash salad. The main course featured porchetta pork roast with creamy Calvados mushroom sauce, brown butter gnocchi, and Brussels sprouts, ending with a fall dessert pairing of Basque cheesecake and caramel pear crisp. Drinks: Guests enjoyed a signature Cranberry Orange Bourbon Sour and select wines paired with dinner.
Winter Smoke & Spirits | Whiskey Tasting
A cozy winter gathering featuring elevated comfort food, firepits, a warming signature cocktail, and an optional guided whiskey tasting.
Heard at the Table - "Chef Cris’ pulled pork kept us coming back, and the whiskey tasting gave everyone something fun to compare and enjoy.”
A taste of the evening. Menu: The evening centered on elevated winter comfort food, beginning with jalapeño corn bread served with whipped sea salt honey butter and a crisp Napa cabbage and apple slaw. Guests enjoyed a cozy main course of smokey pulled pork with French onion mac and cheese and blistered green beans, followed by bourbon bacon bread pudding, triple chocolate brownies, and brown butter rice krispie treats. Drinks Signature mulled white wine cocktail and a guided tasting of bourbon, wheat whiskey, and rye.
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Tropical Spirits & Harvest Plates
A spirited seated dinner at The Gray Barn Affair featuring tropical-inspired flavors, rum-paired cocktails, cozy fire pits, and a harvest-season menu designed for a lively fall evening.
Heard at the Table
The rum cocktail pairings were spot on and the simple rum pour with dessert was the perfect ending for the night!
A taste of the evening. Menu: The evening opened with vanilla garam masala shrimp and herbed goat cheese crostini, followed by a plum and burrata salad with fennel sesame spiced pepitas and honey champagne vinaigrette. The main course featured vanilla coffee rubbed steak skewers with compound butter and jerk smashed potatoes with lemon-dill labneh, ending with a warm bananas foster dessert alongside vanilla ice cream and a butter crunch cookie. Drinks: Guests enjoyed a 1944 Mai Tai, a spirit-free Mai Tai option, and thoughtfully paired rum cocktails throughout the evening.
Summer Smoke-Off BBQ Competition
A lively summer barbecue competition where guests sampled brisket and pork from local pitmasters, voted for their favorites, and enjoyed live music, cold drinks, summer sides, and a relaxed evening of smoke and friendly rivalry.
Heard at the Table
"My favorite part was really the sense of community. The guests were enthusiastic, and the evening felt welcoming, fun and relaxed."
A taste of the evening. Menu: The evening centered on championship brisket and smoked pork tastings, served alongside Gray Barn summer sides including pitmaster’s mac and cheese, slow-baked molasses beans, and Kansas summer garden salad. Guests finished with paletería popsicles, brown butter chocolate chip cookies, and a smoked cheese puff guest gift. Drinks / Experience: Guests enjoyed a Smoke Ring Old Fashioned, fresh blackberry lemonade, Haymaker’s Punch, beer, cider, hard seltzers, and select wines while touring pitmaster stations, casting blind votes, and helping crown the Summer Smoke-Off winners.
COMMUNITY & FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Positive Bright Start Benefit
A community-centered benefit dinner at The Gray Barn Affair created to support Positive Bright Start, featuring a seated seasonal meal, curated cocktails, wine pairings, and a warm gathering experience designed around hospitality and purpose.
Heard at the Table
"We had a wonderful experience hosting our nonprofit fundraiser at this event space! From start to finish, everything went smoothly, and the space was perfect for our event. The staff was incredibly helpful, accommodating, and professional, which made the entire experience stress-free for our team. We’re truly grateful for the support and hospitality we received."
A taste of the evening. Menu: The evening opened with baked brie with honey, fig, blackberry, and basil, followed by a fresh fennel and citrus salad with honey whole-grain mustard dressing and micro greens. Dinner featured smoked brisket with red wine shallot reduction, creamy cheddar polenta, and charred mushrooms with asparagus, ending with spring carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, and dark roasted pecans. Drinks: Guests enjoyed signature cocktails including the Golden Hour G & T and The Porch Swing, each with spirit-free alternatives, along with curated wine pairings, beer, seltzers, water, and tea. The event reflected Gray Barn Affair’s commitment to creating thoughtful, values-aligned gatherings that help local organizations bring people together and raise support.
GBA PRIVATE CELBRATIONS
Wedding Shower
A casual-elegant wedding shower featuring a styled grazing table, interactive mimosa bar, and relaxed indoor-outdoor gathering spaces designed for conversation and celebration.
Heard at the Table
“Boots, Beers & Bubbly” came to life perfectly in your beautiful gray barn! From the delicious food and gorgeous weather to your friendly, attentive staff, everything was seamless. You made planning effortless, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy this special day with family and friends."
A taste of the evening. Menu: Artisan cheeses, charcuterie, seasonal produce, house-made dips, composed appetizer bites, crackers, breads, and coordinated desserts. Drinks: Lightly guided mimosa bar with sparkling wine, fresh juices, seasonal fruit, spirit-free options, iced tea, lemonade, and water.
60th Wedding Anniversary - Family Dinner
A warm family celebration honoring a 60th wedding anniversary with a seated dinner, signature cocktails, wine pairings, and a menu designed around comfort, elegance, and shared memories.
Heard at the Table
"The Gray Barn Affair made our parents’ 60th wedding anniversary truly unforgettable. From the delicious food and beautiful decor to the intimate atmosphere, every detail was perfect. Their team went above and beyond to make our family feel welcomed and cared for, allowing us to simply enjoy this special time together. We couldn’t be more grateful for such a beautiful evening!"
A taste of the evening. Menu: The evening opened with savory fig and chèvre swirls, followed by a beet and brûléed grapefruit salad with burrata, arugula, pistachios, and white balsamic vinaigrette. Dinner featured thinly sliced eye of round roast with garlic beurre blanc, leeks and parmesan crisps, charred rainbow carrots with honey-thyme glaze, roasted cauliflower with hazelnut romesco, and crispy herb-roasted fingerling potatoes with rosemary and sea salt. Guests finished with mandorla tiramisu and dark chocolate silk mousse. Drinks: Guests enjoyed signature cocktails including Kentucky Coffee, Root Awakening, and Washington Creek Winter Cocoa, with spirit-free options, and white and red wine pairings served during the meal.