Outstanding In The Field

 This weekend we had the amazing opportunity to attend an Outstanding In The Field dinner hosted by Oxbow Farm. I have never wanted to live on a farm more than I do now! Pioneered by world known chef and artist Jim Denevan, Outstanding In The Field travels around the country hosting private dinners at local farms where city folk can come and get a true, organic taste of country life. They bring in a well known chef from the area to cook a six course meal using ingredients right from the farm, freshly picked that morning!

This particular dinner was nestled in the Snoqualimie River Valley, the heart of Washington farmland. Upon arriving we were all given a tour of the beautiful farm and heard from the farmers themselves about how they grow and supply Seattle with some of the finest organic and biodynamic produce. We then ventured to an extremely long, beautifully set table where we enjoyed the warm sun, local wines, good friends and of course a farm fresh dinner. 

Although several courses, the dinner was light and so refreshing, mainly consisting of fresh fruit and veggetables, which we are eating a lot of these days :)

Oil poached tuna with raw beets, summer squash, sheep's milk feta & rose.

Long cooked beet & dandelion greens, yakima chickpeas, pickled carrot and coriander leaf salad.

Grilled whole apricots with thistle honey and fresh tayberries.

The whole meal was such a blessing! My heart was so full as I sat there and realized that all of this food had been purposefully and intentionally farmed. These farmers aren't in it for the money they are in it for the community, for their family, for Seattle and for us! Oh if only we could eat like this everyday... sitting outside enjoying the fruit of our hands! 

I encourage all of you to go check out Outstanding In The Field to see if they are coming to a farm near you! If you attend one of their dinner's you will not just leave with a full tummy, you will leave with a thankful heart full of grattitude and humility as you witness the hard work and determination the these farmers pour into their land and food.

Lynn and Terry, thank you SO very much for treating us to such a special night! I will never forget it.

Comments

[Eglė]

That looks gorgeous! What a nice experience to have dinner on the farm. It seems that you really had a great great time. And pictures... Oh pictures are as always outstanding...

[Cannelle Et Vanille]

gorgeous!

[Sherri B.]

I can not thank you enough for this post. I am very excited about this as I have been having a terrible time with my gardens for years now with sorry results every year no matter how hard I try (including praying over earth as I plant). I glanced at the link you gave on biodynamic produce and can hardly wait to dig in and study up on this.....The entire post is beautiful and informative as your posts always are. Thanks again for taking the time to enlighten us.

[Danucite]

We also have several organic farms here in Latvia and although these products costs twice as ordinary, people start to pick them more and more. I think our nature here is still very clean and unindustrial with many wild woods, natural parks and lakes.
Your post also reminds me my childhood Summers where everything on our dinner table was just picked by our little hands in the house garden and then skillfully cooked by our Mom and Granny. Especially I remmeber milk soup with fresh vegetables and greens...yumm.. This still is my favorite Summer soup!

[sarah @ syrupandhoney]

This post got me so excited, as we have tickets to an Outstanding in the Field event in SC this September! Beautiful photos, as always.

[Sarah F]

Caitlin what beautiful photos, and a lovely description of your dinner! How is YOUR garden coming along this year?? Blair and I have finally been able to enjoy some veggies... it's been slow to get going due to the tardiness of summer =) Anywho... your blog is looking beautiful... keep up the good work ;) xo,Sarah

[Nicole]

What a unique experience! The event near me is sold out. Darn! Great to know about the program though. Beautiful pictures!

[redmenace]

Was my invitation lost in the mail? I'm so jealous. What an amazing spread of food and the location is gorgeous! How utterly lovely!!!!

[willow]

Oh Caitlin it looks so amazing! I am sure every bite was that much more delicious because of the surroundings and appreciation! So happy you got to do this. Looking forward to hearing more about it when you get home! Miss you, love you...

[Jacqui]

I can't believe I missed that, what an experience! Everything looks so beautiful!

[Joan]

I am sure that it was asked many times but I die to know what kind of camera you usually use? I mean - those pictures are so warm and gorge - or maby it is post-production effect?

[fresh365]

That sounds amazing! I have wanted to find such a dinner nearby me, and I will have to keep hunting. What a fun night!

[kiss my spatula]

what a fabulous experience, coco! simply perfect...all of it.

[Golubka]

What a beautiful meal! Love the tuna topped with rose. I've been on a quest for organic edible roses for so long now, but no one seems to have them here in FL. Your photos are always so wonderful. What camera/lens do you use, if you don't mind me asking?

[Shaheen {The Purple Foodie}]

What an experience! Wish we had events like these here.

[Julie]

We are so blessed here when we are able to afford a special, organic ideal meal like this. Sincerely, it is a RARE gift in this world. I am touched by how much you cherish it, and rightly so!

[Mary]

What an amazing experience! BEAUTIFUL pictures!

Mary xo

[Kamille]

The food sounds & looks delicious. I love the sustainability of it all. I'll be checking them out.

[Dimitra]

I just discovered your blog and I'm very happy about it! Your posts are amazing, thank you very much!

[Kelsey, at Happyolks]

That salad looks just heavenly. I looked online, and unfortunately they're booked up everywhere! I'm glad you got to take part in such a beautiful and nourishing experience. Haven't stopped by in a while... thought I'd say hello!
Kelsey

[Nicole Franzen]

Pretty pics, i want to go to a farm.. i miss the country :)

[Melissa]

Lucky! I have been wanting to go to one of these events very badly. They finally had one in Iowa last week but I had a work committment. Next year - looks lovely.

[Nicole Franzen]

the photos look amazing. I want to eat all that food :)

[pam]

wish i had taken opportunity of this when i lived in snoqualmie (up until 3 months ago). beautiful photos. beautiful blog. pam