PHOTO PROVIDED BY CANTERBURY RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTER
Holiday Wild Game Dinner guests enjoy the entertainment at the fifth annual event.

The mere aroma of wild game dinners leaves an indelible impression on those who visit the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center during the holidays.

That trend continued on Saturday, Dec. 16, when the Oviedo retreat hosted its fifth annual Holiday Wild Game Dinner. Scores of people turned out for the year-end fundraiser, which featured an array of delectable foods, a silent auction, and music and carols. The Diocese of Central Florida was well-represented, filling several tables, and local churches, businesses and other organizations also attended, according to Mary Ann McCunn, Canterbury’s guest services coordinator and assistant to the executive director.

“Once again, Canterbury’s Wild Game Dinner was a huge success!” said McCunn. “This was the fifth year for this magnificent feast.”

McCunn said entertainment was provided throughout the evening, including a string ensemble that welcomed guests with beautiful Christmas music as they entered the dining room.

“Later in the evening, during the dessert portion of the dinner, the Orlando Saxophone Project, a wind ensemble made up of Hagerty High School faculty, performed classic holiday favorites,” McCunn said. “We were also pleased to welcome the fabulous musical styling of David Teems, who has graced this event in previous years with his unique style of guitar and vocals. David and Father Jon (Davis) ended the evening with singing a couple of Christmas carols with guitar accompaniment in candlelight.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CANTERBURY RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTER
The fifth annual Holiday Wild Game Dinner drew approximately 100 guests to the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo.

McCunn said the food again was superb, prepared with flare, and everyone enjoyed wonderful appetizers as they strolled through the silent auction, the newest feature of the Wild Game Dinner. “It was filled with great dinners, numerous gift items, and one-of-a-kind art,” McCunn said.

The wild game dinner also featured a nice speech by Davis, the executive director of Canterbury. “As the evening wrapped up, Father Jon made note of how Canterbury has served our community during times of difficulty this past year, such as Hurricane Irma and beyond,” McCunn said. “This is the heart of Canterbury, welcoming people into a sacred space and doing so with a profound ministry of hospitality. It is with grateful thanks and hope for new and continuing support so Canterbury can continue to do the good we do and end 2017 well!”

The holiday wild game dinner was the brainchild of Davis, who some years ago noticed a holiday event at the Nashotah House Seminary in Wisconsin and envisioned a similar event at Canterbury. The event has been a roaring success through the years, with dinners featuring venison, wild game birds and other select courses on the menu.

“I saw that Nashotah House, an Episcopal Seminary in Wisconsin, put on a similar dinner, and I thought it would go over well,” said Davis. “It is unique in this area, and it is a great way to celebrate the holidays. The event’s goal is to celebrate the Christmas season, give people a quality Canterbury experience, share the Canterbury mission and give an opportunity for folks to make a year-end gift to Canterbury, becoming a Canterbury partner.”

The food is the highlight of the event. Davis said venison and game birds are just a few of the things that attendees enjoy.

“We have had elk tenderloin tips and a wild boar carving station, as well,” Davis said. “A favorite was a venison hash we did last year. Great holiday sides – root veggies; rice dressing; hot, fresh baked breads; casseroles; and so forth. Amazing desserts!”

Davis said all food is cooked on site by Canterbury’s hospitality staff, led by director Teri Garcia, and that the event is always well-received.

“Always positive,” Davis said. “People love the Canterbury campus when it is decorated for Christmas.”