Get Them While They Are Hot!
Spring time is here! - One of the best thing about March is that OITF tickets go on sale. This weekend sales opened up and already a lot of them are sold out. It is amazing to see how fast the tickets go, especially in California. But just because those are sold out...doesn't mean there are no dinners left! There are plenty great dinners left for sale.
Next year jump on getting Secret Seacove tickets...it is awesome. Tickets usually sell out in 10 minute..so those lucky to get them are in for a treat. The Secret Seacove was my first dinner last year...what a great way to start the tour. The warm sun is shinning and the waves are crashing on the table.
I can give you an insiders guide on which ones (that are left) you should grab while they are still for sale! It truly is an amazing life time experience. If you love food..and can spare a couple hundred dollars than grab a friend, bring a plate and have an incredible outdoor dining experience.
Now looking at the schedule. Keep in mind you cant go wrong with any dinner. Every location is beautiful...every chef is wonderful and every dinner is a different experience. It all depends on what you want...if you want a city, small family farm, big farm. If food is important to you, meaning if you are more into seafood, beef or love cheese can depend on location. Picking your spot can all be based on the area, if you can travel and what you are looking for in a meal.It is hard to pick a few to talk about...but I will try and pick the ones that stood out to me (that are still left - as of Sunday night). Email me if you have questions about other dinners or chefs.
I am thinking about getting tickets for the Cameron Winery in Dundee OR. I LOVED Portland, OR when I was on tour. I also loved the guys with Ned Ludd. They are amazing chef and really nice guys. Cameron Winery is closed to the public 364 days of the year. OITF is fortunate that Ned Ludd has the in and winemaker John Paul is excited to have them...what a great dinner.This is also where I had my first bottle of Love and Squalor! (Not sure if they will have it at that one...since its on a winery..but you must grab a bottle when you are in the city.)
If you can travel I would go to Pemberton, BC at North Arm Farm. Some a few days in Vancouver and then drive up to Pemberton. There is a beautiful view of the mountains in the distance of the farm...it is a remote location with wonderful people, food and site seeing. You will not be disappointed.
Last year at Munson Farms in CO we went down for most extreme dining (due to a rain storm). But all of the guests agreed it was the best dinner experience of their lives. There was a gorgeous full rainbow in the long rows of corn. It was a beautiful site. That cameras just cant capture. Lets hope for sunshine this year!
Being from the south...when I approached Kinnikinnick Farm in Caledonia, IL I felt right at home. I am not sure if it was the chef baking biscuits in the farmer's kitchen...or the warm welcoming we received from the farmers...but this location will always be dear in my heart. It is a great spot...away from the busy city.
If you like seafood...and dont mind a long country drive, then I would definitely go to Four Season Farm in Harborside, ME. Espesially if you want to learn about farming and different kind of farming methods. Eliot Coleman and Barbara Damrosch have a beautiful farm and gardens on their property. Eliot is a well-known farmer and has amazing greenhouses on his farm.
On tour last season we were lucky to dine at Hen of the Woods...Eden worked there before OITF and was excited to show it to us. We had an amazing dinner in this really cute town. Just from the meal I had at Hen of the Woods...I would like to venture to Petes Greens in Craftsbury, VT. It is worth it! And if you have never been to Vermont. It is a great place to see!
Most new Yorkers do not know about this gem in the city...La Plaza is a welcoming garden in the East Village. A table set in the middle of the garden surrounded by the bustling city. Farmers and gardeners and guests dine together in this welcoming spot. Spend some time in NYC...and dine with some locals. It is an amazing escape without having to leave the city limits.
Ayrshire Farm in Upperville, VA is beautiful. If you like horses...the barn is one of a kind. The farm sits on top of the Va beautiful hills. Overlooking the table you see VA rolling hills surrounding you! Its speechless. We had one dinner in the barn and two on the hillside last year...I wonder what they will pick this year. RJ Cooper's dinner still has some tickets!
Of course...I will make a effort to be at the Love is Love Farm in Douglasville, GA. The farmers - Judith and Joe are good friends of mine and I love seeing and supporting them. "The day after our visit last season high water swept through flooding the fertile farm with several feet of water. Topsoil was washed away and for a time things were not looking good. This year we will celebrate a renewed farm and help out some with a benefit for the farm." This year I am excited Steven Satterfield with Miller Union is cooking. He worked with OITF two years ago with Scott Peacock and knows whats going on. It will be a great event!
Also for the first time this year (which I am VERY excited about) OITF is putting Mississippi on their map. City Grocery's John Currence was awarded best Chef in the South by the James Beard Foundation last year and will use all the best southern recipes and ingredients in his dinner.I hope this short list helps! There are lots of dinners still open..and I hope you take the time to look at the list. I hope to see you at the table...we can share, eat and learn together! CHEERS!
