Lavender, strawberries, quail, lamb and a veritable cornucopia of other local delicacies formed the ingredients of the feast that took place last Tuesday, August 14th on Farm & Table’s patio. The special dinner was collaboration between Chef Ka’ainoa Ravey, Sous Chef Joseph Schuster, and Guest Chef Christo Gonzalez, a native New Mexican who now cooks in New York City. The dinner was an edible journey through the seasonal food that the state of New Mexico has to offer right now.
Forty special guests gathered on the patio for the 8-course dinner, which began with a cocktail hour featuring a sparkling rosé from Gruet Winery in Albuquerque. Each subsequent course, from the trout appetizer with sunflower blossoms to Chef Christo’s lamb with cherry, mint and piñon, featured another wine pairing from local wineries Gruet, DH Lecombes, Vivac or Casa Rodeña.
People ate, talked and watched the sunset from long, community tables, while between each course, Chefs Joseph, Ka’ainoa and Christo explained the local inspiration for each of their creations.
Among the evening’s guests were Mayor Berry and his family, there in support the ProStart Culinary Program and his Running Start for Careers initiative, a program through APS that gives participating students work experience and career training while still in high school. Sandia students Shannon Montgomery, Daniel Castro and Rebecca Ruiz helped our chefs and Farmer Ric harvest, prepare and plate the evening’s cuisine.
The dinner was a perfect coming together of local food and community, and what we hope will be the start of many special evenings like it in the future. If you would like to receive invitations to special dinners and events like this one at Farm & Table, please email us at reserve@farmandtablenm.com. We’ll see you and your family there!