What: Chefs in the Field — A Tomato Tribute
Where: Hope Farms
The scoop: Under a full strawberry moon (a tasty beacon, indeed), Gracie Cavnar, founder of Recipe for Success, orchestrated her popular Chefs in the Field supper. Hosted by Recipe for Success Foundation at Hope Farms, the evening brought the farm to the table, featuring fresh produce and a menu showcasing the best of the season.
The event, held on the pastoral grounds of the farm, raised funds for the foundation’s community outreach efforts. It kicked off with a tasting of more than two dozen unadorned Hope Farms heirloom tomato varieties. Guests sipped on Basil Lemon Collins — craft cocktails created with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Art Car IPA, and Original Dry Cider from Saint Arnold Brewing and Wycliff Brut California Champagne.
As the sun set, guests took their seats in the open-air Gathering Barn. Your Butler’s Pantry provided vintage blue glassware and the long, rustic table topped with blue and white ticking and Blue Willow porcelain cache pots that overflowed with Van Gogh-inspired sunflowers and colorful blossoms.
To begin, Dylan Murray, executive chef of Local Foods and Benjy’s, served a summer field salad with cucumber-chili vinaigrette, charred fennel, Hope Farms heirloom tomatoes and Brazos Valley smoked Texas Gouda cheese.
Ben McPherson, chef and owner of BOH Pasta & Pizza, served Tomato Leaf Rigatoni with Hope Farms smokey heirloom tomatoes, garlic, chives, basil, olive oil, and Grana Padano.
Troy Guard, chef and owner of the soon-to-open Guard & Grace, presented the main course. His open-fired Gulf Red Snapper was served over Hope Farms cucumber and heirloom tomato acqua pazza with soy bean and shitake mushroom pico.
For the grand finale, Murray returned with a tomato pistachio cake with basil-lemongrass crème anglaise.
Who: Gracie and Bob Cavnar; Ally Shell-van Koolwijk and husband, Martijn; Bryan Christ and wife, Stacey; Priya Coffey and husband, Brad; Amanda Boffone; Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl and husband, Sverre; Rudy Guerra; Nico Gleza; Melissa Sugulas and Elizabeth Williams; Suzanne Williams and husband, Brad; Mike Parmet; Yoon and James Smith; and Barbara Van Postman.
