Farm Dinner Series Celebrates Southern Oregon
After a successful 2010 season of sold-out farm dinners throughout Southern Oregon, sustainable food advocates Matthew Domingo and Erin Daugherty of Farm to Fork Events prepare once again to celebrate the farmers, winemakers, and food artisans of Southern Oregon’s Rogue and Applegate Valleys. Their goal is to build upon the momentum of the local food movement in Oregon, reconnect guests to small farmers and wineries, and provide them with an altogether unique culinary and agricultural experience.
This season Farm to Fork Events has teamed up with Chefs Neil Clooney and Braden Hitt of Smithfields, Chef Bill Heubel of The Jacksonville Inn, and Chef Michael Hite of C Street Bistro to offer guests a unique opportunity to dine with the farmers who grow their food and the vintners who craft their wine.
From June through October, Farm to Fork Events will feature 12 farm dinners, on 12 family farms, featuring 12 small wineries. 7 events will take place in Southern Oregon. Dinners are reservation only, and ticket prices for Southern Oregon events are $75. This price includes a 5-course meal, 3 glasses of local wine, a tour of the host farm, and producer discussions.
“Southern Oregon is one of the most beautiful and fertile regions in the country, and the sustainable and local food movement here continues to grow in leaps and bounds,” says Matthew Domingo, Director of Farm to Fork Events. “We’re just honored to be able to share the inspiring stories of the talented family farmers and winemakers who inhabit this region.”
“Our goal is to get people back out to the farms,” says Domingo. “And by providing them with these unique culinary and agricultural experiences, we hope they will re-discover the importance of preserving farmland and supporting family farms and wineries all year round.”
Tickets to all 12 farm dinners can be purchased on the Farm to Fork Events website: www.farmtoforkevents.com. Limited seating is by reservation only, and guests are encouraged to purchase seats early as dinners sell out fast.
Southern Oregon Lineup:
Saturday July 23rd – Farm Dinner by Farm to Fork Events @ Willow Witt Ranch, Ashland
Speakers:
John Weisinger and Robert Trottman of Weisinger’s Winery
Farmers Suzanne Willow and Lanita Witt of Willow Witt Ranch
Menu by:
Chef Bill Heubel of The Jacksonville Inn
Saturday July 30th – Farm Dinner by Farm to Fork Events @ Rogue Valley Brambles, Talent
Speakers:
Chris Martin of Troon Vineyard
Farmers Susan and Ken Muller of Rogue Valley Brambles
Menu by:
Chef TBA
Saturday August 6th – Farm Dinner by Farm to Fork Events @ Restoration Farm, Ashland
Speakers:
Michael Donovan of Roxyann Winery
Farmer Chuck Burr of Restoration Farm
Menu by:
Chef Michael Hite of C Street Bistro
Saturday October 1st – Farm Dinner by Farm to Fork Events @ Vaughn Farm & Orchard, Central Point
Speakers:
Winemakers Mary and Steve Gardner of Crater Lake Cellars
Farmers Nancy and Ed Vaughn of Vaughn Farm & Orchard
Menu by:
Chef Braden Hitt of Smithfields
Saturday October 8th – Farm Dinner by Farm to Fork Events @ Hanley Farm, Central Point
Speakers:
Winemakers Laura and Kurt Lotspeich of Trium Wines
Allison Weiss of Southern Oregon Historical Society
Menu by:
Chef Neil Clooney of Smithfields
Matthew Domingo | Director
CLICK HERE for our 2011 Farm Dinner Schedule! Dinner SELL OUT FAST!!