Outstanding in the Field Bolsa Point
For those who enjoy coming together around a dinner table to savor a delicious meal while connecting with one another, the dining experience worth exploring next is Outstanding In The Field (OITF). It’s like the ultimate concert tour for food lovers, where passionate fans — much like devoted groupies — follow the series from one breathtaking outdoor venue to the next. OITF convenes in beautiful (sometimes secret) locations like farms, vineyards, beaches and cities. The “roving restaurant without walls” highlights farmers, cheesemongers and winemakers as top chefs craft stunning dishes using the freshest local ingredients.
Founder Jim Deneven, a chef and land artist, started Outstanding In the Field in 1999 at his brother’s organic farm in Santa Cruz, California. It’s grown spectacularly, including dinners in over 24 countries and all 50 states. At the OITF in Sebastopol, Denevan chats with diners: “I love the idea of bringing the farmer, the general public and the culture of food closer; all the things that make a meal more meaningful. Also, I love the aspect of a communal table and strangers meeting.” He mentions that the people are the best part of the events and the coolest ingredient. Jim believes that people who don’t have the same background or politics can meet with their humanity first and the ideas of the world second.
Jim Denevan at Outstanding in the Field at Green Valley Farm + Mill, photo by Paige Fandrei, … [+] courtesy Outstanding in the Field.
The winning recipe of Outstanding In The Field is a mix of adventure, celebration and community centered around a communal table, sometimes as long as 350 feet. To add to the beautiful tablescape is a running tradition — guests can bring their own special plate to dinner. If you forget, don’t worry; one will be provided for you. Together, everyone enjoys a family-style dinner from a local chef and plenty of wine flowing throughout the evening.
Outstanding in the Field at Green Valley Farm + Mill
The Sebastopol dinner in Northern California took place at Green Valley Farm + Mill. The farm, with over 172 acres, is dedicated to sustainable farming practices, producing an array of organic crops and livestock that thrive in the fertile soil. While waiting for everyone to arrive, guests mingled and enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres like cucumber gazpacho and chicken liver mousse with pickled strawberries and beverages from Hanson Distillery, including a refreshing watermelon and vodka cocktail. You could choose a glass of natural wine from winemaker Martha Stroumen, like the crisp and citrusy white wine named Post Flirtation. Before dinner, those feeling adventurous could tour the farm with farmer Aubrie Maze while seeing animals, like cows and chickens.
Outstanding in the Field at Green Valley Farm + Mill
After picking out a plate (in case you forgot your own) and sitting next to someone you may not know, servers started passing family-style dishes created by local chef Liza Himan of The Spinster Sisters. The meal commenced with pickled farmer’s market vegetables, carrot hummus and marinated feta. Conversations were flowing like the wine at each course and it was clear that everyone was having a great time. Other notable dishes included a pluot and strawberry panzanella salad with pancetta and ricotta salata and a delicious beef kofta and harissa-braised brisket with a yogurt sauce. For dessert, you could opt for fresh milk from the farm’s cows to go with your brioche tart with yellow peaches, obsidian blackberries, whipped ricotta and rosemary honey.
Outstanding in the Field at Green Valley Farm + Mill, photo by Paige Fandrei, courtesy Outstanding … [+] in the Field
It was a night of spectacular food and even better company. Deneven’s idea of having a communal dinner with strangers is a refreshing way to step out of the digital world and step back into connection –– even if it’s just for one night. Although these dinners sell out frequently, check out the website for all fall destinations. For those in California, there are plenty of dinners in cities like Big Sur, St. Helena, Ojai and Lumpoc.
Outstanding in the Field Mt. Tamalpais, CA, photo by Simone Anne, courtesy of Outstanding in the … [+] Field
Outstanding In The Field X Overnight is another exciting experience to look out for this year. The team started a new OITF activation, where the first event occurred at the majestic McArthur Gulch in Colorado. After dinner, guests spent the night camping in a safari-style tent. This event sold out quickly, but keep an eye out for new overnight experiences on the OITF website.
