Judy Baker, Chris Stevens, Don Ginsburg and other local celebrities enjoy the feast!

At the Taste of The Market, 2009, three Local Chef/Local Farm Dinners were auctioned to benefit Sustainable Farms & Communities Pavilion Project. Chef Ben Randolph and farmer Dan Kuebler teamed up to host a dinner for eight at the Salad Garden Farm. Our dinner was bought by Sharon & Don Ginsburg, Judy & John Baker, Bonnie Trickey & Larry Giddeon, and Jennifer Perlow & Chris Stephens. Kim Coldicott and I were on hand to assist.

We began with icy mint tea and a tour of the farm showing vegetable production in the fields and high tunnels, along with the solar powered irrigation system. Dinner started on the deck under a canopy but rain moved us inside to a grand harvest table.

Ben Randolph, former Executive Chef at Trattoria Strada Nova and currently Chef at Harpo’s, created a seasonal tasting menu highlighting local foods from our farm and others at the Columbia Farmers Market. The multi course meal featured many small plates giving a sense of the chef’s style and range.  The guests enjoyed seven courses:

Tomato Trio
Gazpacho
Caprese Salad
BLT with Crocker Farm’s Bacon & Heirloom Tomato

Yellow Sweet Corn Bisque
Powdered Salsa
Shrimp Ceviche

Herd Salad in Truffle Vinaigrette

Troutdale Farm’s Trout
Sautéed and Sweet pickled Chard
Baby Patty Pan Squash
Green Beans

Susie’s Grass Fed Lamb Strip Steak
Mint
Eggplant
New Potato
Red Onion
Chili Oil

Grilled Peaches
Ginger Crème Anglaise
Beurre Noisette (Brown Butter handmade) Ice Cream

 Goats Beard Farm Fromage
Feta with Pink Peppercorns and Bonne Femme Honey
Chèvre with Country Goodies Apricot Preserve
Missouri Moon with Dates and Norton Syrup

 The presentation was glorious with unique and artistic plating. Chef Ben did an excellent job matching the impromptu selection of wines brought by the guests with the corresponding courses. Fabulous food and excellent  conversation were enjoyed by all.

Chef Ben Randolph and Farmer Dan Kuebler will be donating another Chef’s Tasting Dinner at this year’s Taste of the Market. Other auction dinners available are Chef Trey Quinlan at Deep Mud Farm and finally Mike Odette of Sycamore will host a dinner for six in the winning bidder’s home!!  These auctions will be held at the 2010 Taste of the Market this Saturday, Aug 7, from 6-9:30 pm across from the ARC!

Go to the homepage to get tickets to the event and bid on one of these amazing dinners!

Diane La Mar
The Salad Garden
Diane is a local psychotherapist and freelance writer, and lives at The Salad Garden Farm with her husband Dan Kuebler.