"Outstanding in the Field" of Hawai'i 2012
Being in the food industry, I've always been interested where our food comes from. When I try a new variety of a farmed product, it's amazing how climate, soil, cross-pollination, water, etc. plays an important part in growing something incredible. Farmers are really artisans, especially when collaborating with chefs and developing these special ingredients.
Outstanding in the Field, the California-based "restaurant without walls" is making its first-ever farm dinner visit to Hawaii. 'Outstanding in the Field' founding chef Jim Denevan did his first farm dinner in his hometown of Santa Cruz, California in 1999. By 2011, they have staged 87 dinners throughout North America and for the first time, in Europe. This month, they're kicking off the season in the Hawaiian Islands.
Chef Denevan and crew have created outdoor dining events in country farms and urban gardens, on mountain tops and sea caves, on islands and ranches. Wherever the location, the mission is the same: To re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food and introduce them to the local farmers.
Before dinner is served, diners are given a tour of the farm and then seated at a long communal table. You might be seated next to one of the local farmers, ranchers, or a food artisan. All of the ingredients for the meal are almost all local, often sourced within steps from the table, and prepared by a celebrated chef of the region.
Sonoma County, California*
Four chefs will be creating Four dinners at Four farms on Four islands. The Four guest chefs are involved utilizing local farm to table ingredients. Here's the Four Hawaii events and chefs:
January 14: Kauai at Kilohana Plantation in Lihue with Chef Aaron Leikem of 22 North
January 17: Maui at Kupa'a Coffee Farm in Kula with Chef Justin Pardo of Market Fresh Bistro
January 21: Oahu at Ma'o Organic Farms in Wai'anae with Chef Ed Kenney of Town
January 25: Hawaii at Kekala Farms in Waimea with Chef Edwin Goto of Village Burger
Pemberton, British Columbia
The Maui 'Outstanding in the Field' dinner will be the first one on a coffee plantation, the award-winning Kupa'a Coffee Farm in Kula, and hosted by Maui farmers Gerry Ross and Janet Simpson. "We're growing a whole lot of food, just for this event," says Kupa'a owner Gerry Ross. "Everything will be served family style. It's a unique opportunity for people to take a tour and see our land."
The Hawaii events start at 3 pm with a glass of wine and welcome hors d'oeuvres, followed by a tour of the host farm and a family-style, four-course meal paired with wines. Ticket prices of $190 per person includes the farm tour, multi-course meal with wine and all gratuities.
To learn more and reserve a seat at these Hawaii dinners, please visit: www.outstandinginthefield.com
Dinner is Served!
Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime event...
*Photo by Jeremy Fenske
Comments