‘Tis the Season for Feasting on the Farm

By Pat Tanner

There’s plenty of time to hop on the bandwagon—or more accurately the hay wagon—and feast plop in the middle of Jersey farm fields, on mulit-course meals prepared by top-name chefs using ingredients from the host farm and nearby. Here are just a few upcoming farm-to-fork dinners:

What: Fourth Annual Farm-to-Table Family-Friendly Grill-Out
Dinner, cooking and wine demos, nature hike, hayrides, kids’ games, s’mores around a bonfire
Who: Terra Momo Restaurant Group and Fernbrook Farm
Where: Fernbrook Farm, Chesterfield (northernmost Burlington County)
When: Saturday, August 8, 4-8 p.m.
Why: Raise funds for non-profit Fernbrook Farms Education Center
Details: $29 (or $39 with wine tasting). Kids under 10 are free with an adult. For reservations, phone Eno Terra restaurant at 609.497.1777

What: Sustenance-on-the-Farm Dinner
Five-course meal prepared by Andrea Carbine of Cranford’s A Toute Heure with dessert by chocolatier Diane Pinder and earth-friendly wines
Who: Sustenance-on-the-Farm and Starbrite Farm
Where: Starbrite Farm, Andover (Sussex County)
When: Sunday, August 23, 4-7 p.m.
Why: Support Slow Food Northern NJ’s earth stewardship and food justice programs
Details: $145. For information and to order tickets, visit sustenanceevents.com

What: Outstanding In the Field Dinner
Who: Host farmer, Kelly Harding of Cherry Grove Farm and guest chef Scott Anderson of elements in Princeton
Where: Cherry Grove Farm, Lawrenceville (Mercer County)
When: Tuseday, September 1, 3 p.m.
Why: Outstanding in the Field, which mounts farm dinners throughout the U.S., originated the concept
Details: $180. To make reservations, visit outstandinginthefield.com