End-of-Season Gathering

From the Boston Magic Lab Kitchen

Serves: The entire Magic Lab and friends · Difficulty: Low · Active time: One afternoon · Total time: One season

A note from the author

This recipe has been in the Magic Lab family for years now. It is simple, which is not the same as easy. The secret, as with most things, is Jeannine. Do not attempt to substitute.

INGREDIENTS

For the gathering:

• 1 Boston Magic Lab, at peak ripeness
• 1 Felice, executive grade
• The Crew, at room temperature
• 1 rear garden, Arlington MA (70 Scituate Street; see note)
• Friends, as many as will fit comfortably plus a few more

For the fire:

• 1 Jeannine
• Coals, sufficient
• Time, unhurried

For the table:

• Food, brought by guests (quantity and variety TBD; coordination forthcoming)
• Drink, likewise
• 1 May afternoon, the 17th, beginning at 1 o’clock

To finish:

• A season’s worth of wonder, well-spent
• Gratitude, freshly grated
• The particular light that comes into a garden in May when everything is done and everyone you want to be with is there

METHOD

Begin the season in the usual way. Work hard. Do the thing you do. Do it well, which you will, because you are the Magic Lab and this is what the Magic Lab does. Set aside.

Allow the season to season fully before proceeding. Do not rush. Rushing is a common mistake and produces inferior results.

When the season is complete — you will know it is complete; there is a feeling, unmistakable, like the last note of something — remove from heat and allow to rest.

Meanwhile, prepare Jeannine.

Note: Jeannine requires no preparation. She arrives prepared. This is one of the things that makes this recipe work. Simply ensure the grill is present and step back. Maintain a respectful distance. Do not offer suggestions. Do not ask if it needs more time. It will be ready when it is ready and not before and the result will be, as it has always been, exactly right.

While Jeannine works, combine guests in the rear garden. Fold in Felice. Add the crew. Mix gently — this is not a recipe that requires vigorous mixing, the ingredients know what to do — and allow the conversation to develop naturally.

Incorporate guest-brought provisions as they arrive. The exact composition of these provisions is, at time of writing, unresolved, but experience suggests the table will be abundant.

Allow everything to sit together in the May afternoon for as long as feels right. This is not a timed step. Some recipes give you a window — bake 25 to 30 minutes — but this one simply says: stay. Stay until the light changes. Stay until someone says we should do this every year and everyone agrees and means it and is already a little sad that it will be another whole year.

Then stay a little longer.

NOTES

On the rear garden: Enter via the side gate. You will know you are in the right place by the smoke. You will know you are in the right place by Jeannine.

On substitutions: There are none. This recipe does not work without the Magic Lab, without Felice, without the crew, without the friends, without the garden, without the afternoon, and most critically without Jeannine.

On timing: Sunday, May 17th, 2026. One o’clock in the afternoon. Do not be late. The coals do not wait and neither, frankly, does the vibe.

On bringing something: You should bring something. Food or drink, as your pantry allows. It is, in the language of recipes, a required ingredient, not a garnish.

On leftovers: There are never enough.

This recipe first appeared in the Magic Lab Annual, and has been made every year since without significant modification, because some recipes just work.