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Monday, July 6, 2009
Local Food: Dinner in, and from, the garden at Gateway Organic Farm
Posted by Gui Alinat on Mon, Jul 6, 2009 at 12:09 PM
On Sunday, October 18 at 4:00 pm, Gateway Organic Farm will present its 2nd Dinner in the Garden. It's difficult to find true farm-to-table experiences in Tampa Bay, despite the growing interest in local food. Note that Gateway Organic Farm is the only organic farm in hyper-developed Pinellas County and one of two (count'em!) organic farms in Tampa Bay.
What's the Dinner in the Garden?
Nine chefs and the farmers have one vision: harvesting and preparing a six-course dinner, with wine, in a greenhouse overlooking the garden. Chefs Tyson Grant of Parkshore Grill, Matt Tracy of St. Petersburg Yacht Club, Chris Knowles of Sea Sea Riders, Gui Alinat of chefgui.com (that's me), Peter Leonavicius of Toasted Pheasant, pastry chef Cathleen Ryan (Gateway Farm Chef/Pastry Girl consultant) , Bobby Mayo of Sideberns, Thomas Kerns and Terry Harding, will feature fresh organic vegetables from the farm, along with local and organic meat, sustainable fish, and fine wines.
But the most entertaining experience for the guests, beside tasting from-the-ground local ingredients, is the chance to socialize with the nine chefs, as well as the farmers and local producer, who actually dine with them.
Based on the outstanding in the field concept, the unique table is set in the field where the vegetables actually come from.
The farmers, Hank and Pamela Sindlinger, who raise their two grand-children on the farm, are focused on providing organic vegetables to the area's restaurants and the public. They are also planning an Ed-U-Kitchen, "an outdoor educational classroom/kitchen emphasizing the benefits of eating local, seasonal, and organic foods". Nested in the middle of overbuilt, concrete-saturated Pinellas county, between busy US 19 and East Bay Drive, the farm represents quite a challenge, none of which is the price of real estate.
When I cook for people across Tampa Bay, I consistently hear demand for organic foods and a craving for better, healthier eating. Sure, there's Whole Foods and The Fresh Market. But Gateway's veggies are right here, right now, a few miles from where you live. That's wholest and freshest, in my humble opinion.
Please bring your favorite dinner plate to add to the conversation as you dine with local farmers, artisans, and chefs.
A pre-dinner reception includes hors d'oeuvres, wine, music, and a farm tour. Proceeds from the event will benefit the farm’s Ed-U-Kitchen.
$150 per person ($250 per couple). 4 p.m., October 18, Gateway Organic Farm, 6000 150th Ave. N., Clearwater (727-244-0724 or 727-492-0010). Vegetarian options will be available. Reservations must be purchased in advance, no tickets available at the door.
* Please make checks payable to
Gateway Organic Farm
6000 150th Ave. Clearwater, FL 33760
www.gatewayorganicfarm.com - to purchase tickets online.
Chef Gui Alinat is a regular contributor to the CL Daily Loaf. He is also a local executive chef, blogger and food writer. You can check out his blog at www.chefgui.com. You can follow him on twitter.
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