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.
This article appears in Jul 1-7, 2009.