Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Outstanding in the Field


A fabulous farm-to-table event took place last week in Kentucky and, alas, I did not attend. But, I’ve been privy to many-a-photo of friends and acquaintances who were lucky enough to join the feast, so I just had to share.

First, some background on Outstanding in the Field. If you’re a reader of Garden & Gun magazine, you’re likely quite familiar with this event/concept. From the website:

Our mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.

Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 we have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table.

Ingredients for the meal are almost all local (sometimes sourced within inches of your seat at the table!) and generally prepared by a celebrated chef of the region. After a tour of the site, we all settle in: farmers, producers, culinary artisans, and diners sharing the long table.

Milk-braised Duncan Farms rabbit with roman gnocchi, celery, nutmeg and lemon.
To. Die. For.

The Outstanding in the Field movement recently paid a visit to Woodland Farm in Goshen, Ky., which is a gorgeous piece of land overlooking the Ohio River. My neighbor blogged about the evening on Style Blueprint Louisville, so I’m borrowing some of her photos she posted on Facebook, as well as on the blog. Another blogger from Lexington also traveled to Goshen for the event, and her recap is here.


I love the idea that people bring their own plates to the event. 

The main house at Woodland Farm

Sunset over the Ohio River

If you find out that Outstanding in the Field is coming to your neck of the woods, you may want to seriously consider attending. Then, be sure to share your experience with us. Would love to hear about it.
Images from Style Blueprint Louisville and Whitney Pannell, Realtor

8 comments:

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

I went to an amazing dinner last summer here in Oregon, put on by Pitchfork to Plate, same concept. It was wonderful to sit in the fields of a berry farm and enjoy a wonderful dinner! Janell

Samma said...

That looks amazing! I want to go right now (or maybe in a few months when I can really indulge!)

Danielle said...

Darn it! I wish I would have known about this. It sounds awesome!

Tessa said...

ok this looks amazing & delicious. i would love to attend!! are you kicking yourself for not going??!! xo, Tessa

JMW said...

Tessa, had I known about it well in advance, I would have jumped on the opportunity. Although, the tickets were a bit steep in price. But, it's an event that doesn't come along often, so if you have a chance to take advantage of it, do it!

Jo said...

There is a local farm that does such an event twice each summer. As much as I'd love to attend, the price for two is insane and my husband always seems to be on travel at the given dates. I love the idea and I'm sure it's a fabulous time.

Jo

Whitney Pannell said...

Thanks for mentioning my blog. We really enjoyed the evening! The grounds were amazing.

Whitney Pannell said...

Thank you for linking to my blog. We really enjoyed the evening. The setting was near perfect. One of my friends and I want to do a similar dinner in Lexington to benefit a charity instead.