Farm-to-table is a growing movement nationally, but it's a term that hasn't popped up in Genesee County too often -- until now.
Brad Kujawaski, sous chef at City Slickers, is passionate about local food and he would like to see more people in Batavia realize how much great food is grown on our local farms.
"I think it's really important to give credit where credit is due and that starts with the farms," Kujawaski said.
He is preparing a five-course meal created entirely with local ingredients at City Slickers on Aug. 31.
The produce will come from Porter Farms, a certified organic farm in Elba, and chicken will be from HLW Acres, Attica.
While Kujawaski expects to include a main course of roasted chicken and chicken soup, the rest of the menu will depend on what's farm fresh at Porter Farms that week.
"We're going to pick for him what's ready and he's going to cook it," said Peter Metzler, of Porter Farms. "To me that's about as fresh as it can get."
At least three courses will be paired with a beer from Rohrbach.
Kujawaski interned at Porter Farms during college and the fact that Brad is a good friend and a great cook is just part of the reason Porter decided to partner with him on this first-ever local farm-to-table meal, Metzler said.
It's also a chance to show off to more people in the community what Porter offers through its CSA.
"It's another way for us to get our food into the community," Metzler said. "We've never done anything like this before. It's pretty common elsewhere, so we wanted to try it out and see how it does."
The Aug. 31 meal is from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost is $60 per person or $100 per couple. Tickets can be purchased at City Slickers.
WHOA.... ! The price tag
WHOA.... ! The price tag seems quite high for a chicken dinner with locally produced foods. We who cook ourselves make this stuff regularly, and for much less than $60/person.
Also it's at a terrible time... It's Labor Day weekend... the last Picnic of the summer.
Good luck...
Great idea but not new to
Great idea but not new to this area. The Genesee County Democrats hold an annual Farm to Table dinner which is always well received. It is a good way to celebrate and appreciate the bounty we, in this area, enjoy. Our turkey dinner will be on September 14 for a $25 donation. Good luck.
Why not let people choose
Why not let people choose their own menu? Some of us are vegetarian and wouldn’t eat the chicken [local, organic, or not] ….or drink “at least” three beers with dinner?! No. Maybe some flexibility would make this appealing to more people.
Farm to table is new?
Julie, I'm gonna crawl
Julie, I'm gonna crawl further out on that proverbial 'limb', and guess that no one will be forcing anyone to eat the chicken. Likewise, there probably won't be people forcing anyone to drink ANY beer.
As for farm-to-table - No, it's nowheres near a new concept. Farm families have been growing & raising their meals for hundreds of years (or longer).
A "flexible menu" is not the
A "flexible menu" is not the concept. You can go to a restaurant any night of the week for a "flexible menu."
Fixed menus are a communal dinner with a chance for a chef and guests to share in a common experience. The experience is enjoying the surprise and quality of what the chef prepares.
The Japanese have a word for this specifically related to culinary delights: Omakase. It means, "I'll leave it to you," or "I entrust."
Restaurants the world over have special meals where you buy the experience, not just the food.
I can't say for sure, but typically, in a pairings event, you're not getting a whole pint of beer, just as you wouldn't get a whole bottle of wine. You're supposed to experience the mingling of flavors, not get drunk.
I'm also flabbergasted by a complaint over price. $60 is pretty darn cheap for a top-notch meal with multiple courses and beverages included.
Nobody is saying farm to table is new. In fact, the story says 100 percent the opposite. The fact is, regardless of what the Democrats might do, or what the ag society does at its annual dinner, there's never been an event quite like this, as far as I know, in Batavia before.
If it's not your cup of tea, don't go, but I know quite a few people around town that this will appeal to.
Winner winner, chicken
Winner winner, chicken dinner.
Sounds like a pretty cool
Sounds like a pretty cool event to me! I wish it wasn't on a Sunday night as it makes it harder to get a babysitter, but I really like the concept!!!
Julie, the dinner is
Julie, the dinner is flexible, they using boneless chicken...hat tip to Gary Larson.
What a great idea. Might not
What a great idea. Might not be a new concept here since all the local farm stands have locally grown produce. But for out of towners, or 'transplants' from down state, this sounds like a wonderful idea. "How to cook with local foods". Bet there are going to be some excellent recipes forthcoming.....If you haven't tried it, why not come on out and join some others who are new at it also....
My comment was my reaction to
My comment was my reaction to the first sentence to the article, "Farm to table is a growing movement nationally, but is a term that hasn't popped up in Genesee County too often--until now".
I applaud the effort to bring another farm to table event to our area. We are so fortunate to have a wonderful selection of products to highlight.
Each of the farm to table meals bring a different perspective. City Slickers will feature the produce from Porter Farms and beer from Rohrbach.
The Agriculture Society features the efforts of the farms in Genesee County.
The Democrats offer the 100 mile farm to table menu, all meat, produce, and wine available within a 100 mile radius of Batavia. Each participant receives a program that includes favorite recipes using local food.
As a fund raising venture, farm to table is popular and successful. It should be equally successful as a commercial event. Once again, good luck.
I didn’t suggest a “flexible
I didn’t suggest a “flexible menu.” I suggested flexibility. Flexibility would mean appealing to more potential customers who maybe don’t eat meat or drink beer or don’t like chicken.
I don’t see how eating a vegetable dish instead of roasted chicken lessens the communal dinner experience and I don’t see how making a simple suggestion for broader customer appeal warrants a “don’t like it, don’t go,” response.
I hope everyone has a great time.
Jeff, I love “The Far Side.” : ]