Outstanding in the Field at Blackberry Farm

This past weekend my husband and I had the pleasure of experiencing an Outstanding in the Field dinner. Instead of sopping up a farm fresh meal in the river valley of Washington we were nestled in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains at the breathtakingly beautiful Blackberry Farm. It was just about three and a half years ago when my husband and I, along with our dearest family and friends, celebrated our wedding here at Blackberry, so our return was sweet and nostalgic. 

For those of you unfamiliar with Outstanding in the Field I highly recommend you visit their website and read what they are all about. In short, they are a group of sustainable minded, farm enthusiasts who travel the world hosting farm to table dinners to educate the importance of organic foods, supporting local farmers, and celebrating the coming together of people while sharing a delicious and noteworthy meal.

Whilst on the farm we enjoyed all the fresh, organic produce straight from their gardens. We also sampled the home made sheep's milk cheeses, learned how they raise their Italian truffle dogs, took a stroll through the hazelnut orchards, greeted the free ranging chickens, learned about heirloom seeds (and even got to bring some home with us), and savored the grandeur and peaceful nature of our surroundings. 

The meal was so beautiful. Simple yet thoughtfully constructed with unique pairings and flavors. Their farm raised lamb roasted over an open fire. Local greens laced with a sorghum aioli. My mouth waters as I try to reminisce the artful combinations that graced my palate.  

Once again we were reminded of why we hope to have a farm of our own one day. To eat a meal based solely on the labor of your hands is an edifying gift that is so easily taken for granted. Sustaining the land in an organic and life giving way is a testimony of the stewardship and responsibility we have been given. Sharing a slow meal with those closest to us is an art form that expresses love, hospitality, selflessness and gratitude. I am so thankful to be reminded of these things, and I hope that you have the opportunity to enjoy a farm-to-table dinner with the ones you love and experience the abundant joy of an intentional and outstanding meal.

Comments

[Will Sharpe]

I have been a fan of your blog for some time now and I typically do not comment but I must say that these photographs are just beautiful. Blackberry Farm is on my bucket list!

[Maria @ ScandiFoodie]

What a gorgeous place! Beautiful photos too!

[Rosa]

Great place, awesome food and gorgeous pictures!

Cheers,

Rosa

[Joy]

Your photos are just divine!

[Michelle]

What a beautiful farm. I hadn't ever heard of it before. That meal looks divine!

[Marmy]

I've been waiting on this post!!!!! So happy to hear and SEE how lovely it was for y'all to be back at Blackberry Farms. Yes, it brings back very sweet memories to your Dad and me as we think back on the beautiful and precious weekend of y'alls wedding! I wish we could have been there for this occasion too! I could almost taste the food looking at your gorgeous photos!!! Brava! Big Hugs! love, Marmy

[Emma Galloway]

Absolutely stunning photo's coco! That place looks like my dream life too. I grew up on organic vegetable farm and hope to one day re-create all that miss so much. I hope your dream comes true too.

[Cathy]

beautiful. if you're a reader, you must get your hands on "The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food and Love" by Kristin Kimball!

[Sandra]

Gorgeous photos! Your words and photos make me wish that I had been there. I agree with Cathy, "The Dirty Life" is so good. I just finished it this past weekend. Have a great day!

[Sapphire]

I have been waiting for you to post since I fell in love with your blog a few days ago. You take gorgeous photos, cook wonderful meals and write like a dream. Blackberry Farm reminds me of a fancier version of where my husband spent three years living in college and where we met for the first time (http://homestead.denison.edu). I once helped cook for Robert Kennedy (Food Inc.) and had dinner with him here - they were also visited by Michael Pollan. I made some of my best meals in the Homestead's kitchen, using fresh eggs from the chicken coop. Two of my husband's friends who lived at the Homestead started their own farm in Portland (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nolancalisch/). We spent thanksgiving with them two years ago and were amazed by how amazing it all was. The sustainable movement here reminds of my Pakistan, where I am from. The farmers there are sustainable and not even aware of it - only because they know no other way. I truly hope you and your husband start a farm - I can't imagine the gorgeousness that will come out of it. :)

[Bev Weidner]

AB.SO.LUTE.LY. STUNNING!

[Nicole Franzen]

absolutely stunning coco! your so lucky you were able to experience this! they did it here in the city last month on a rooftop farm but i missed it. gorgeous snaps! x

[Andi of My Beautiful Adventures]

You have absolutely no idea how jealous I am! What an incredible experience!!!

[MikeVFMK]

There are no words. Simply beautiful. Wonderful experience. And the perfect setting for a couple with reason to celebrate!

[dani leigh]

i adore this concept. i'm bummed their tennessee event sold out before i heard about it. i'll just have to keep my eyes posted for the next one. thanks for sharing the beautiful image of your night!

[Meagan]

This is crazy, I seriously JUST learned about this place yesterday! A pharmacy rep came into our office and was talking to us about her wedding in 3 weeks. She said they wanted to have it at Blackberry Farms in the smokey mountains but couldn't afford it! It looks incredible though, I can see why she'd want to get married there. ANd I can see that it must be pretty magical.

[Adrienne]

Awesome. I probably need to check out this place. We own chickens and have an herb garden but that is it... so far. I have dreams of blueberries, melons, and tomatoes.

[Simply Scrumptious]

What gorgeous pictures. Looks like a perfect setting for a wedding. I too want to own some land someday! My family owns a walnut farm, but it is too far away from work. I would be so happy to have my own vegetable garden, chickens, dogs, and maybe some other farms animals or two! Love your website!

[laurenbtrain]

Love your photos, love your food and hope you will still be my friend one day when you are famous! love you co co!!

[la domestique]

I attended an Outstanding in the Field dinner here in Boulder, Colorado a couple of years ago, and it was such a special evening. Not only was the food amazing, but such care was taken to place the tables in a way that we could enjoy being outside amongst the trees and fields. Magical!

[Misti]

I want to crawl through your photos and be there. They are breathtaking!

[Anna P.]

Thank you for sharing about Blackberry Farm! I can't wait to take my outdoors man of a husband who hales from Tennessee on a vacation that will knock his sock off!

[Kathryn Sparks]

So very lovely. I've read about Outstanding meals elsewhere, but this is my first time learning of Blackberry Farm, which does indeed look rather lyrical. Funny that the truly "modern" thinking about raising and preparing food is finally catching up with the most ancient and long-lived traditions: of COURSE they're sustainable, that's how they kept being used around the world from their inception until the "civilized" world began to catch up by remembering them!

[Rebekka]

Sigh...I LOVE Blackberry Farm. I spent Labor day weekend there two years ago and it was one of the best weekends of my life. These are incredible.

[amy @ crazy random happenses]

fire roasted lamb just sounds amazing! those pictures are just beautiful. it sounds like a wonderful time!

[Elspeth]

Beautiful photography. Sounds like it was an amazing experience.

[Valeria]

Coco, what amazing shots you offer to us! Outstanding in the Fields is a great idea. They came to Tuscany and I missed them. A group of students from my University, the University of Gastronomic Sciences, are doing something similar, they are called Cavolfiori a Merenda and they are great guys. If you ever happen to come to Italy...:)

[Karyn]

I'm in love with this place! The idea of having a sustainable farm to create these masterpiece suppers with family and friends seems like the ultimate life! :) I'm also a huge fan of your blog; your photos and words inspire me, thank you.

[Chris]

Your pictures are beautiful- mind me asking what photography equipment you use (which camera and lens)?

Thanks!

[Shaheen]

Coco, I just love how you look at things. Love it. :)

[Brian @ A Thought For Food]

What an incredible experience... and what a feast!!! Delectable!

[Whitney Pannell]

Your photos are fantastic. We also went to the Outstanding in the Field Dinner in Goshen , Ky last week. It was fantastic and everything I had hoped for. Here is my blog post if you'd like to see my photos.
http://www.lexingtonrealestatesearch.com/blog/outstanding-field-dinner/

[Claire]

Wow. As always, this post left me absolutely transfixed. You have such a way with embracing light, combining ingredients, and capturing moments. I am always confident that I will find a truly magical experience when I visit you here. And I wasn't disappointed today. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for harnessing your talents and letting us all join in on the fruits that come from it. This place is absolutely lovely.

[Eliza Coleman]

Hi Coco! I just discovered your blog through a friend who noticed that our wines were served at this event! (I work for Cultivate Wines.) Would it be alright with you if I use some of your photos (and credit you of course) on the Cultivate blog? (www.cultivatewines.com/blog) Also, I'm thrilled to have discovered your blog, it's beautiful!
Best,
Eliza

[Kimberly]

This is my absolute favorite post thus far. Not only because our little farm is named Blackberry farm, or that I so want to visit *that* Blackberry Farm one day, but because of your clear and apparent love of stewardship and the importance of the simple things that we take for granted each and every day.
Bravo my friend. and thank you.

[Julia]

Your blog is one of my new favorites! The pictures are so beautiful: i love the delicate light with the rustic wooden table and ingredients. do you cook or take photos for a living?

[Coco]

Thank you Julia! The photo shoots I do for Roost are just as a hobby and pure joy :) I do however do freelance photo styling for a local cookbook publishing company.

[caroline]

These photos are breathtaking!!

[Dina]

Such a wonderful ambiance these pictures have!

[MARIE]

just a huge "thank you" for your website. It's so fresh to read it from Paris. different worlds but same passion for food

[fresh365]

Oh, I am always hoping they will make their way to Mass! Sounds like a great evening at a gorgeous location. So glad you were able to enjoy!

[Sini]

Such beautiful pictures, Coco. You really did manage to capture the atmosphere! Hope I would have been there with you and shared a dinner to remember. Maybe one day :)

[Jaclyn @ Justins Nut Butter]

Outstanding in the Field is a great idea! I work with Justin's Nut Butter and we are all about sustainability and organic foods! There really is nothing better than doing what is best for the environment :)Great pictures!

Happy Eating!

[jo]

All of these pictures are AMAZING!!!!

[Sarah Jane]

Seriously your photos are oh so gorgeous!
I've been stalking your blog for a while, thought it was time I'd say hi! :-)
Gorgeous post, this place looks (and sounds!) so lovely.

[susan]

I just found you and I am so into everything about your site. Completely and utterly beautiful, thoughtful, authentic, and honest. Looking so forward to reading your jouney.

[Kathryn]

If you haven't read it yet, I encourage you to read Kristin Kimball's "The Dirty Life" - it echoes many of the sentiments conveyed in this post.

[Lauren]

What kind of camera are you using? And how are you editing these? I love the photos!

[Jen Laceda]

I've been dreaming of going to Blackberry Farm in Tennessee! I've seen so many photos and even have their cookbook! This is my dream culinary vacation!

[Gema Hedz.]

Gracias, tus posts son un ejemplo claro de que las cosas que se hacen con amor transmiten amor y yo me acabo de enamorar de tu blog... / Thank you, your posts say clearly that things made with love spread love and I´ve just fallen in love with your blog...