Saturday, November 1, 2025 • 4:30 PM • Collegeville, MN
Join us this fall for an unforgettable evening of storytelling, community, and extraordinary food set on the breathtaking grounds of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, a place where sacred tradition, creative expression, and the beauty of the natural world converge.
Timed to the peak of Minnesota’s autumn color, this immersive event will unfold among 2,500 acres of forest, prairie, and lakeside trails, at one of the most culturally and spiritually significant Benedictine communities in North America. Founded in 1856 by monks from Bavaria, St. John’s Abbey is home to a vibrant monastic community, the renowned Saint John’s Bible, and a working landscape that includes monastic gardens, a sugarbush for maple tapping, and a wood-fired pottery studio—all of which play a role in this evening’s story.
You’ll begin the afternoon with monastery-led tours of its most beloved and fascinating spaces: the celebrated Saint John’s Pottery Studio, Abbey Woodshop, Abbey Organ Building Workshop, monastic gardens, and the striking modernist Abbey Church, designed by Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer. His unique architectural style was one of the inspirations for the movie The Brutalist. You’ll walk through living traditions shaped by contemplation, craft, and stewardship, while the golden light of fall settles across the surrounding arboretum.
Then, as the autumn sunset illuminates the grounds, we’ll gather for a five-course harvest dinner in the soaring Great Hall, with a menu created by James Beard-nominated chefs Mateo Mackbee and Erin Mackbee, the acclaimed culinary team behind Krewe Restaurant and Flour & Flower Bakery in nearby St. Joseph.
This meal will reflect the region’s vibrant fall bounty and the Benedictine values of hospitality and care. Each course is built on seasonal, local ingredients like roasted squash, heirloom grains, fresh herbs, cool-weather greens, and early root vegetables woven together with monastery-made products like maple syrup tapped on-site, roasted tomatillo salsa, and preserved produce from the Abbey gardens. The Storied Table menu tells the story of the land, the season, and the people who nurture and prepare it.
You’ll enjoy a welcome cocktail during the 4:30 PM reception, followed by wine served throughout the meal. Expect bold flavors, thoughtful pairings, and dishes that honor both tradition and place.
Every guest will receive a complimentary goody bag filled with locally made products that reflect the spirit of the evening. For those who want to take a piece of the experience home, signed copies of Jody Eddy’s cookbook Elysian Kitchens, inspired by monastic foodways around the world (including a chapter featuring St. John’s Abbey), will be available for purchase. Jody, who grew up in this region and co-founded The Storied Table, will be in attendance.
Listen here to a recent episode of The Splendid Table where Jody discusses her experience at St. John’s while writing the book. (bonus: you’ll also find a recipe from the book by following the link)!
Why You’ll Love This
Whether you're drawn to the artistry of the chefs, the beauty of the landscape, the quiet resonance of the Abbey and its many fascinating studios, gardens and workshops, or simply the joy of gathering with kindred spirits, this evening is for you.
Experience autumn at its most vivid on sacred, historic grounds
Discover the rich monastic legacy of craft, publishing, art, and ecological care
Savor an exceptional seasonal meal from two of Minnesota’s most celebrated chefs
Connect through food, conversation, and shared story in a welcoming, meaningful space
Become part of the growing Storied Table community; a place where every gathering begins with intention and ends with joy
Meet the Chefs
Mateo Mackbee is a James Beard semifinalist and the chef-owner of Krewe, where he brings Southern and Creole roots into conversation with local Midwestern ingredients. His cooking is bold, soulful, and deeply tied to place.
Erin Mackbee is the pastry chef behind Flour & Flower, and was named one of the best bakers in the U.S. by The New York Times in 2024. Her breads and sweets reflect warmth, balance, and elegant restraint.
Together, Mateo and Erin build menus that celebrate community, heritage, and what it means to cook….and eat….with heart.
Get to Know the Location
St. John’s Abbey is the largest Benedictine monastery in the U.S., and home to a working community of more than 100 monks. Founded in the 19th century, the Abbey is known for its pioneering work in publishing (Liturgical Press), sustainable land management, and the Saint John’s Bible—the first handwritten, illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in over 500 years.
All Guests will have the chance to explore:
The Saint John’s Pottery Studio, where traditional Japanese techniques meet monastic mindfulness
The Abbey Woodshop, crafting timeless furniture from trees grown and milled on-site
The monastic gardens, whose produce and preserves shape the night’s menu
The Abbey Church, a striking concrete-and-glass structure and an icon of modernist sacred architecture
And the surrounding arboretum, where oak, maple, and aspen blaze with color in early November
VIP Ticket Holders:
Extended pre-dinner guided tour of the venue with an expert (30-45 minutes)
Meet-and-greet with the chef before dinner
Small keepsake gift related to the venue or local traditions
What to Know
3:30 PM – Optional arrival for self-guided nature walks on the Abbey Arboretum trails
3:45 PM onward – Guided tours of pottery studio, woodshop, gardens, Bible gallery, church, and press
4:30 PM – Cocktail hour with welcome drink and hors d’oeuvres
5:30 PM – Five-course dinner with wine in the Great Hall
Dress code: Elevated smart casual; comfortable shoes recommended
Dinner: Indoors, rain or shine
Accessibility: The Great Hall and several tour locations are wheelchair accessible
Extras: Goody bag included; signed books available for purchase
*photo credits: exterior shot of St. John’s Abbey by Kerem Yucel, Erin & Mateo Mackbee by Kara Elder
Saturday, November 1, 2025 • 4:30 PM • Collegeville, MN
Join us this fall for an unforgettable evening of storytelling, community, and extraordinary food set on the breathtaking grounds of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, a place where sacred tradition, creative expression, and the beauty of the natural world converge.
Timed to the peak of Minnesota’s autumn color, this immersive event will unfold among 2,500 acres of forest, prairie, and lakeside trails, at one of the most culturally and spiritually significant Benedictine communities in North America. Founded in 1856 by monks from Bavaria, St. John’s Abbey is home to a vibrant monastic community, the renowned Saint John’s Bible, and a working landscape that includes monastic gardens, a sugarbush for maple tapping, and a wood-fired pottery studio—all of which play a role in this evening’s story.
You’ll begin the afternoon with monastery-led tours of its most beloved and fascinating spaces: the celebrated Saint John’s Pottery Studio, Abbey Woodshop, Abbey Organ Building Workshop, monastic gardens, and the striking modernist Abbey Church, designed by Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer. His unique architectural style was one of the inspirations for the movie The Brutalist. You’ll walk through living traditions shaped by contemplation, craft, and stewardship, while the golden light of fall settles across the surrounding arboretum.
Then, as the autumn sunset illuminates the grounds, we’ll gather for a five-course harvest dinner in the soaring Great Hall, with a menu created by James Beard-nominated chefs Mateo Mackbee and Erin Mackbee, the acclaimed culinary team behind Krewe Restaurant and Flour & Flower Bakery in nearby St. Joseph.
This meal will reflect the region’s vibrant fall bounty and the Benedictine values of hospitality and care. Each course is built on seasonal, local ingredients like roasted squash, heirloom grains, fresh herbs, cool-weather greens, and early root vegetables woven together with monastery-made products like maple syrup tapped on-site, roasted tomatillo salsa, and preserved produce from the Abbey gardens. The Storied Table menu tells the story of the land, the season, and the people who nurture and prepare it.
You’ll enjoy a welcome cocktail during the 4:30 PM reception, followed by wine served throughout the meal. Expect bold flavors, thoughtful pairings, and dishes that honor both tradition and place.
Every guest will receive a complimentary goody bag filled with locally made products that reflect the spirit of the evening. For those who want to take a piece of the experience home, signed copies of Jody Eddy’s cookbook Elysian Kitchens, inspired by monastic foodways around the world (including a chapter featuring St. John’s Abbey), will be available for purchase. Jody, who grew up in this region and co-founded The Storied Table, will be in attendance.
Listen here to a recent episode of The Splendid Table where Jody discusses her experience at St. John’s while writing the book. (bonus: you’ll also find a recipe from the book by following the link)!
Why You’ll Love This
Whether you're drawn to the artistry of the chefs, the beauty of the landscape, the quiet resonance of the Abbey and its many fascinating studios, gardens and workshops, or simply the joy of gathering with kindred spirits, this evening is for you.
Experience autumn at its most vivid on sacred, historic grounds
Discover the rich monastic legacy of craft, publishing, art, and ecological care
Savor an exceptional seasonal meal from two of Minnesota’s most celebrated chefs
Connect through food, conversation, and shared story in a welcoming, meaningful space
Become part of the growing Storied Table community; a place where every gathering begins with intention and ends with joy
Meet the Chefs
Mateo Mackbee is a James Beard semifinalist and the chef-owner of Krewe, where he brings Southern and Creole roots into conversation with local Midwestern ingredients. His cooking is bold, soulful, and deeply tied to place.
Erin Mackbee is the pastry chef behind Flour & Flower, and was named one of the best bakers in the U.S. by The New York Times in 2024. Her breads and sweets reflect warmth, balance, and elegant restraint.
Together, Mateo and Erin build menus that celebrate community, heritage, and what it means to cook….and eat….with heart.
Get to Know the Location
St. John’s Abbey is the largest Benedictine monastery in the U.S., and home to a working community of more than 100 monks. Founded in the 19th century, the Abbey is known for its pioneering work in publishing (Liturgical Press), sustainable land management, and the Saint John’s Bible—the first handwritten, illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in over 500 years.
All Guests will have the chance to explore:
The Saint John’s Pottery Studio, where traditional Japanese techniques meet monastic mindfulness
The Abbey Woodshop, crafting timeless furniture from trees grown and milled on-site
The monastic gardens, whose produce and preserves shape the night’s menu
The Abbey Church, a striking concrete-and-glass structure and an icon of modernist sacred architecture
And the surrounding arboretum, where oak, maple, and aspen blaze with color in early November
VIP Ticket Holders:
Extended pre-dinner guided tour of the venue with an expert (30-45 minutes)
Meet-and-greet with the chef before dinner
Small keepsake gift related to the venue or local traditions
What to Know
3:30 PM – Optional arrival for self-guided nature walks on the Abbey Arboretum trails
3:45 PM onward – Guided tours of pottery studio, woodshop, gardens, Bible gallery, church, and press
4:30 PM – Cocktail hour with welcome drink and hors d’oeuvres
5:30 PM – Five-course dinner with wine in the Great Hall
Dress code: Elevated smart casual; comfortable shoes recommended
Dinner: Indoors, rain or shine
Accessibility: The Great Hall and several tour locations are wheelchair accessible
Extras: Goody bag included; signed books available for purchase
*photo credits: exterior shot of St. John’s Abbey by Kerem Yucel, Erin & Mateo Mackbee by Kara Elder
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