After a year away, we’re so excited to return to Lake Meadow Naturals! Farmer Dale Volkert, perennially dressed in a pair of Carhartt overalls, knows more about chicken eggs than any one person should and is always happy to share his knowledge with us. We’ve invited Bruno Fonseca back to the field kitchen to craft a meal focused on local Florida ingredients. At Foreigner Restaurant, Chef Bruno crafts a tasting menu experience each week highlighting the best of the season, inspired by his multi-cultural heritage. He’s no stranger to improvisation and inspiration, and we can’t wait to see what he creates for us.
Archives: Events
Events
Kualoa Ranch
Stepping onto the stunning grounds of Kualoa Ranch feels like going back in time, or into the world of Jurassic Park (probably because the movie was filmed there). Between the grassy hillsides where cattle graze, tropical fruit orchards bursting with guava, papaya and dragonfruit and ancient Hawaiian fishponds, we may never tire of the views from this expansive seaside ranch. The Morgan family have been stewarding this land for six generations, making it a nature preserve for all to enjoy. We’ll enjoy colorful Kualoa Grown produce and the farm’s seed-to-market oysters (some of the only ones in Hawaii) during a Mediterranean feast by mother-daughter duo Ahu Hettema and Nili Yildirim from Istanbul Hawaii. They’ve spent the last few years working to build the best Turkish restaurant in Hawaii, and have gained a reputation for crafting warm Mediterranean flavors from the freshest island ingredients.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to support Maui wildfire relief efforts.
Kona Sea Salt Farm
We’re beginning our Winter Tour with spectacular sunset views. The Kona Sea Salt Farm is set on the westernmost point of the Big Island’s volcanic coastline, at Keāhole Point. The unique combination of underwater topography and ocean currents that made this an especially fertile fishing ground prized by ancient Hawaiians also creates perfect conditions to harvest sea salt from 2,200 feet below the surface. Sample their salt during reception with a cold water foot soak while you sip a welcome cocktail and take in the ocean views. After we learn a bit about the salt harvesting process, we’ll head to the beach for a collaborative meal by Justine Ma and Vitaly Paley. These two renowned chefs have trained in some of the world’s best kitchens, and now use their talents to celebrate Hawaiian ingredients. Chef Justine is excited to show off the goods from the farmers, hunters and fishermen on the Big Island, including ingredients from her own one-acre homestead. Chef Vitaly will surely bring some Hawaiian Kanpachi sustainably sourced from the waters around Keāhole Point by Blue Ocean Mariculture. Together, they will create an artful celebration of the unique and expansive Hawaiian pantry.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to support Maui wildfire relief efforts.
Malibu Pier with L.A. Times Food Bowl
The Malibu Pier is a dream. Our table stretches down wind-worn wooden planks, seagulls surfing the breezes overhead while surfers ride the waves below. The iconic white towers have been a beacon for fishing charters and folks looking to hang a pole off the pier (or hang around to people watch) since it opened to the public in the 1930s. Join guest chefs Sammy Monsour (of newly opened Joyce) and Tony Messina (of the Surf Clam) for a sampling of the Pacific’s freshest catch. These two acclaimed chefs will marry their influences from across the US, braiding together the flavors of East Coast clam shacks and Southern soul food with a decidedly Californian outlook to create a truly memorable meal celebrating California’s coastal waters.
We are proud to partner with our friends at the L.A. Times Food Bowl presented by City National Bank for this event, benefitting the L.A. Food Bank!
Coleman Family Farms with L.A. Times Food Bowl
We stopped at Coleman Family Farms on our first traveling tour in 2003, setting our first table in Southern California in their rows of famous greens. This farm isn’t just important to the history of Outstanding in the Field, though. The founder, Bill Coleman, was an advocate for small farmers throughout his life and one of the foundational vendors at the iconic Santa Monica Downtown Farmers Market. His son, Romeo, now carries on the family business, still setting up at the farmers market each week to sell their beautiful produce. The chefs behind this menu hail from the seashore to Echo Park, from Chinatown to Downtown LA, celebrating the city’s most amazing restaurants and their inspiration — the stunning produce available just outside their doors.
We are proud to partner with our friends at the L.A. Times Food Bowl presented by City National Bank for this event, benefitting the L.A. Food Bank!
Wattles Farm with L.A. Times Food Bowl
This community garden still contains century-old citrus and avocado trees from when it was part of the hillside estate of Gurdon Wattles. Now, those trees line garden paths winding between colorful community plots nestled against the historic Wattles mansion. You could walk down the streets of Hollywood and pass by these garden walls every day without ever knowing the magic that grows inside. Our host, Tobey, will open the gates for the afternoon to welcome us into this members-only community for a Peranakan dinner crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Malcolm Lee of Candlenut in Singapore. Los Angeles culinary creative (and fellow Michelin recipient) Chef Minh Phan of beloved local comfort food staple Porridge + Puffs, and fine dining experience Phenakite, will join Chef Lee in the field kitchen for a feast inspired by his Singaporean heritage and her love for L.A.’s multicultural influences.
We are proud to partner with our friends at the L.A. Times Food Bowl presented by City National Bank for this event, benefitting the L.A. Food Bank!
Outstanding in the Field X Behind Every Leader
After a long day of networking and education, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of San Francisco from above in the rooftop gardens of STEM Kitchen. STEM’s chef, Robert Hurtado, has made a name for himself working in acclaimed kitchens throughout the Bay Area, igniting his passion for local sourcing from small farmers and showcasing the flavors of his childhood home in San Juan Bautista, Mexico. In addition to produce harvested from STEM’s on-site garden, dinner will feature ingredients from a selection of independent farmers from across the Bay Area. In peak season, Chef Robert will have plenty to inspire him for this special meal. Join us at the table to celebrate the finale of the Behind Every Leader Conference, and walk away feeling more connected to your fellow diners and the rich agricultural community of San Francisco.
Elawa Farm
Elawa Farm was initially developed in 1917 as a gentleman’s farm for the A. Watson Armour family. It has been restored and preserved as a unique farm-garden and historical site with a mission to educate the community on local food. We’ll tour the property’s stunning manicured grounds, then sit down to dinner with the team from Asador Bastian. Chef Christian Eckmann and chef/owners Doug Psaltis and Hsing Chen have teamed up to create a Basque-inspired concept in another piece of Chicago history — a beautifully restored townhouse called the “Flair House”. We can expect them to bring their signature flare to the long table, honed over years traveling around the world, working in Michelin-starred kitchens, before starting their growing culinary empire in the Windy City.
Barrier Island Oyster Co.
The city of Charleston is so charming and the draw of Lowcountry oysters is so strong that we’ve decided to come a day early for another night at Barrier Island Oyster Co. with hosts Josh Eboch, Kendra Tidwell and Hamlin Auld. Their oysters all grow in floating cages at the mouth of the ocean, creating a crisp, clean, tide-tumbled flavor. We’ll watch the tides change around the oyster beds before sitting down for dinner from Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch of Church and Union and Tempest, located right next door (and voted 2020’s Best New Restaurant by USA Today’s 10 Best). Chef Jamie’s commitment to local ingredients led him to start his own farm to supply his restaurant in 2019. Maybe we’ll see his home-grown produce alongside some Barrier Island oysters at the table.
McCabe Ranch | FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen
We’re celebrating the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen with a dinner of our own. Whether you are joining the sold-out festival or want to enjoy the festivities outside of the Grand Tasting Pavilion, come celebrate Colorado’s agricultural community — and the event’s 40th year — at McCabe Ranch. We will provide shuttles from downtown Aspen to the verdant hillsides of this sprawling cattle ranch at the foot of the Elk Mountains. At the table, Chef Mattia Agazzi from Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Beverly Hills will delight us with his take on produce-driven Italian cuisine. Chef Mattia brings a resume of culinary excellence and a deep appreciation for Italian tradition to the Colorado Rockies, where he will be greeted with some of the region’s most exciting seasonal ingredients. We are lucky enough to set the table for his creations. Guests will be greeted with Napa Valley estate wines by John Anthony Vineyards, whose exclusive, single-varietal and single-vineyard wines will also be paired with the menu.