On Sunday, September 20, Abra Berens joins bigLITTLE for a throwback dinner inspired by the foods that defined Mike and Pete Laing’s childhood.

Abra is a Michigan chef, former farmer, and writer known for cooking with the seasons and championing ingredients grown close to home. Her work at Granor Farm earned her a James Beard semifinalist nod, and her cookbooks, Ruffage, Grist, and Pulp, have made her one of the Midwest’s most trusted voices on farm-to-table cooking.

For this dinner, Abra is taking on school lunchboxes, freezer-aisle classics, and weeknight staples of the ’80s and ’90s. Think Lunchables, pizza puffs, grilled cheese with tomato soup, ramen, and a few other references pulled from the era.

The references may feel familiar, but Abra’s versions will bring more care to the plate. Expect throwback classics made from scratch with better ingredients, sharper technique, and the thoughtful details that define her cooking. For dessert, we’ll feature ice cream infused with Lee Normi, made in collaboration with Murdick’s Fudge Shoppe in Suttons Bay.

The evening begins outside the MAWBY tasting room entrance with a welcome pour. From there, guests will head under the outdoor tent for a series of food and wine stations. Each stop will pair one of Abra’s reimagined nostalgic dishes with a bigLITTLE wine.

This will be a light, grazing-style dinner built for grown-ups who love a good throwback. Abra’s ingredient-driven cooking and bigLITTLE wines bring the ’80s and ’90s back to the table with a little more polish and a lot more wine.

Tickets are limited to 50 guests (Adults 21+)

📆 Sunday, September 20
⏰ 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 Outdoor tent behind the MAWBY & bigLITTLE tasting rooms
🎟️ $85 per person - FIZZ Club discounts apply!