The scene is set: A long table is laid with a white tablecloth, wine is poured, and there is a happy buzz of conversation as guests tuck into a five course feast – but this is no restaurant. Outstanding in the Field, a unique business founded by Jim Denevan in 1999, brings together chefs and organic farmers in true locavore fashion, setting up al fresco dinners on farms across the country. Denevan, an artist and former chef of Gabriella Cafe in Santa Cruz, CA, wanted to do something to support small organic farmers and connect people with the origins of the food on their tables.
Founder Jim Denevan with Biseat Horning & Aubrey Schatz, UCSC Farm & Garden
For the past 10 years, Denevan and his crew have been traveling North America, setting up their famous long tables in rustic barns, cornfields, gardens and secret sea caves, beside rivers and in the shelter of mountains. Each event is unique and the 150 or so seats sell out fast – even with tickets going for around $200 per person. It is a hefty price, but I know that I personally would rather forgo dinners out for a while to be able to save up for a memorable experience like this – quality over quantity! The evening begins with guests sipping wine and taking a tour of the farm before settling into a five course dinner alongside the farmers who grew the food. Lets have a peek at a few farm dinners past…
The Long Table: In a Secret Sea Cave, coastal California
If you are interested in attending a farm dinner, check out the 2009 Season Schedule – and do it soon because most of the May and June events have already sold out! Good friends and good food in the open air – that’s what life is all about, as far as I’m concerned. I would love to attend one of the dinners in August, either in Providence (since I do live there!) or Vermont (because it’s so pretty 
) maybe I’ll see you there…
All photos in this story © Outstanding in the Field
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What a cool idea. They’re even coming to a place near me – Powell Gardens in MO. At $190 per ticket, I’ll not be joining them. Quality versus Quantity I agree on, but my eating out budget this year is basically $0. I’ll just have to plan an event for my own garden I guess
I love outstanding in the field! I just learned about it recently and we are trying to plan an event nearby (harvard, MA) for later this summer — apple season. Maybe you can attend since it is pretty here too. BTW — found you site while perusing other blogging class attendees….will probably see you around over in the decor8 blogging your way forum.
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Rochelle – Awesome! That does sound very tempting
Let me know when you have the details about the event in Harvard, MA!