Farm to Table at its best; breathtaking farms, gorgeous barns, expert chefs, locally grown ingredients, fine wines and a wonderful atmosphere with great people. Held throughout the year across Florida, these exclusive events showcase masterful culinary artists creating gourmets meals using Fresh from Florida fruits, vegetables and meats that support local farmers, celebrate Florida’s agricultural bounty and provide an immersive dining experience that you’ll cherish for years to come.
Upcoming Events
Vineyard Valentine Farm to Table – Fri, Feb 14, 2025
Have your own Hallmark moment at our Vineyard on the most romantic night of the year:
Past Events
Stockyard Christmas Farm to Table – Sat, Dec 14, 2024
Celebrating the holidays and the bountiful harvest of fruits, vegetables and meats, the Stockyard Christmas Farm to Table had the perfect ingredients, an extraordinary menu, and a world class prepared gourmet 3 course dinner, that delivered an experience the attendees will never forget. Check out the menu, and the feedback from this event:
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Who is Farm to Table For?
It’s for those that appreciate…
- FRESH: Like, straight-off-the-vine fresh. The kind of freshness where the broccoli might still be bragging about its morning yoga session.
- LOCAL: You’re not just eating dinner; you’re supporting Florida’s hardworking farmers. Your plate? It’s practically wearing cowboy boots and saying, “Y’all come back now!”
- SUSTAINABLE: Fewer food miles mean happier Earth vibes. Plus, it’s like giving a high-five to Mother Nature—except tastier.
- DELICIOUS: This is not your average Tuesday-night meatloaf situation. This is a gourmet journey, with dishes created to showcase the peak flavors of Florida’s farms. Think of it as a farm-flavored love letter to your palate.
Why Join Us For Our Next Dinner?
This isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience. A chance to connect with the people who grow your food, support local agriculture, and savor the freshest, most flavorful dishes Florida has to offer.
Meet Our Expert Chefs
Chef Jeffrey Schlissel – Affectionately known as Cheffrey, or (his favorite title) the Kingpin of the Bacon Cartel, Chef Schlissel brings over 30 years of culinary mischief and mastery to the table. He’s known for turning Floribbean and Pan-Asian ingredients into edible symphonies, creating dishes that make your taste buds throw a standing ovation.
From whipping up a vegan “bone marrow” that’s as audacious as it is delicious to perfecting smoked meats so tender they should come with their own lullaby, Chef Schlissel knows how to craft an experience you’ll remember long after the last bite.
A passionate advocate for sustainability and local partnerships, he’s not just a chef—he’s a culinary storyteller, blending bold flavors with meaningful connections to our food sources. You’ll leave the table with a full stomach, a happy heart, and maybe a new appreciation for goat cheese.
Meet Our Farmers
Ever After Farms – We grow some of the greatest tasting blueberries, peaches, blackberries, mandarin oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes, muscadine grapes, mangoes, avocados, longans and jackfruit on the planet!
Flying RJ Cattle – Small and dedicated cattle rancher that produces some of Florida’s premier primarily grass-fed beef on farms throughout the state. They are a family operation that puts so much love and care into raising their livestock and you’ll taste the difference.
Island Grove Winery – Fun, fresh and exciting Florida wines made from fruits grown on Florida farms, including some of the finest blueberry, peach, blackberry, strawberry wines you’ll find anywhere.
What is on the Menu?
Our expert chefs combine in-season local with their greatest culinary achievements and then add a few one-of-kind touches to create truly unique menus for each event. Typically, that will include:
- Starter: Ever had a salad so fresh it might still be photosynthesizing? Prepare to fall in love with greens you didn’t even know existed.
- Main: Let’s just say it’ll be masterpiece that could make your grandma’s roast jealous. (Sorry, Nana!) And there is a vegan option for our herbivore friends too!
- Dessert: Picture a sweet creation that’ll make you question every store-bought treat you’ve ever settled for.
Don’t Miss Out!
Our events sell out fast and space is very limited. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, planning a memorable date night, or just craving something extraordinary, you don’t want to miss this.
The Farm to Table Movement
In recent years, the farm to table movement (also known as farm to fork) has surged in popularity, redefining how we think about and experience food. This culinary trend emphasizes the importance of sourcing ingredients directly from local farms and producers, offering a fresh, sustainable, and more meaningful dining experience. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of enjoying a farm-to-table dinner, here’s a guide to understanding what makes these meals so special and how you can embrace the concept in your own life.
What is Farm to Table?
At its core, the farm to table and farm to fork philosophy focuses on connecting diners with the origin of their food. This approach involves sourcing ingredients from local farms and producers, reducing the distance food travels from production to plate. The result is a dining experience that celebrates seasonality, freshness, and the rich flavors of locally grown produce. For example, our blueberries ripen in April so while you can oftentimes get blueberries from the grocery store, year round, you get Florida blueberries in April.
Why Farm to Table Matters
1. Freshness and Flavor: Ingredients that haven’t spent days or weeks in transit are often more flavorful and nutritious. Farm-to-table meals showcase the peak of freshness, from crisp vegetables to succulent meats.
2. Sustainability: By sourcing locally, farm-to-table practices reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation. This method also supports sustainable farming practices, which are often better for the environment.
3. Community Support: Purchasing from local farms and producers helps bolster the local economy. It fosters relationships between consumers and farmers, ensuring that money stays within the community and supports local livelihoods.
4. Seasonal Eating: Farm-to-table dining encourages eating with the seasons. This not only ensures the best quality ingredients but also reconnects us with the natural rhythms of food production.
The Joy of Farm to Table Dinners
A farm to table dinner is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of the journey that food takes from the farm to your fork. It’s a testament to the hard work of local farmers, the richness of seasonal ingredients, and the joy of sharing a meal with those you care about.
Beyond the Dinner Table: The Broader Impact of Farm to Table
The farm-to-table movement also has implications beyond the dinner table. It promotes a cultural shift toward appreciating where our food comes from and understanding the environmental impact of our choices. As more people embrace this approach, it can lead to:
1. Policy Changes: Increased demand for local foods can influence public policies that support sustainable agriculture and food systems. Advocating for farm-to-table principles can contribute to broader efforts in food justice and environmental stewardship.
2. Educational Opportunities: Farm to table principles can be integrated into educational programs, from elementary schools to universities, helping to raise a new generation of informed consumers and future farmers.
3. Culinary Innovation: Chefs and home cooks alike are experimenting with local ingredients and traditional recipes, leading to new culinary creations and preserving regional food traditions.
4. Healthier Communities: Access to fresh, nutritious food can improve overall community health. Farm-to-table practices encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetables, potentially reducing diet-related illnesses.
5. Preservation of Rural Landscapes: Supporting local farms helps maintain open space and prevents urban sprawl. This not only benefits local agriculture but also preserves the beauty and ecological health of rural areas.
By embracing farm to table dining, you contribute to a larger movement toward more conscious and connected eating. It’s about celebrating the rich tapestry of flavors that come from local soils, honoring the efforts of those who grow our food, and enjoying the simple pleasure of a well-prepared meal. So, whether you’re attending a farm to table dinner or planning your own, relish the experience and the stories that each meal tells. Bon appétit!