Fire and Ferment
A collaborative chef’s dinner by David Mitchell & Umbrella

Join us on Sunday, June 22 at Willow House for an intimate, immersive dining experience where fire meets fermentation, and every element is designed with intention.

Each dish and drink is developed in conversation—with each other, the seasons, and the land. Expect vibrant, locally sourced ingredients, ancient and modern techniques like lacto-fermentation, milk washing, tepache brewing, and beeswax infusion, and a shared philosophy of minimal waste and maximal flavor.

This six-course menu (plus amuse-bouche) is the result of a thoughtful collaboration between Chef David Mitchell, a fixture in Raleigh’s food scene known for his bold, Southern-rooted flavors, and Charlie Blue Arm, the creative force behind Umbrella’s zero-proof cocktail program. With a background in chemistry and a visionary approach to flavor, Charlie employs tools more commonly found in laboratories or distilleries than bars or kitchens—bringing scientific precision and playful inventiveness to every glass.

From lacto-fermented tomato water transformed into a savory cocktail, to fig leaf milk punch paired with a sweet onion tart, each course is a dialogue between kitchen and bar—designed with intention, depth, and a shared respect for every ingredient.

Expect full-sized, non-alcoholic cocktail pairings with each course, crafted using tools and techniques more often seen in labs than kitchens—think rotary evaporators, acid adjustments, beeswax fat-washing, and liquid nitrogen chilled glassware.

A few highlights from the menu:

• Roasted Tomato Tortellini with tomato consomme and tomato leaf oil, paired with a tomato-lacto non-alcoholic martini

• Roasted Lamb Loin with sweet potato gratin and kale, matched with a wild strawberry aperitif

• Knafeh Cheesecake with grilled strawberries and rose, served with a floral “freezie” in a julep tin

• Amuse-bouche of pickled local vegetables and a dry, alcohol-removed sparkling Riesling

Every course tells a story of flavor, technique, and intention—where even aquafaba and fig leaves become elements of surprise.

This is more than a meal. It’s a story told in seven chapters—rooted in the earth, touched by flame, and elevated by the art of zero-proof pairing.

🕯️ One Seating Only
Limited to 45 guests | Willow House
📍 1004 S Saunders St, Raleigh, NC 27603
🍽️ All food and beverage is included in your ticket price