Sure, we all try to be more conscious of where our food comes from these days.  To make sure you’re putting as few steps as possible between the farm and your table, you can shop the farmers’ market week after week, or join a CSA, or even try your hand at growing some of your own produce.  But when it comes to dining out, it takes a bit more diligence to ensure that you’re making good choices.

Photo by Moshe Zusman provided by Ellen Gray

One of the local chefs who has been extolling the virtues of the “Fresh, Local, Seasonal” mindset since before locavores knew what to call themselves is Todd Gray.  The chef who recently brought Watershed to NoMA has been cooking in time with the seasons at Equinox for more than a dozen years.  Last year, he got together with the people behind the annual International Wine and Food Festival to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience: the Urban Farm Table Under the Stars.

The Urban Farm Table was a chance for four local chefs to partner with local producers and really show off their fresh, seasonal ingredients to the best of their abilities.  Guests sat at long communal tables on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza of the International Trade Center and Ronald Reagan Building.  It was such a success that they’ll be back for a second seating on Friday, June 17th.

Details on tickets and a sneak peek at this year’s menu after the jump.
Joining Gray and host Chef Xavier Deshayes this year (besides you, of course) are Chef Amy Brandwein of Casa Nonna and Chef Jaime Montes de Oca, Jr. of Zentan.  Each chef will produce a passed hors d’oeuvre for the cocktail hour that kicks off at 6:30.  After that, they’ll take turns one-upping each other over a four-course meal that highlights some of the best of what’s available at local markets these days.

The menu for the event is as follows:

Passed Canapés
Oyster Champagne Leek Soup – Chef Deshayes
Sweet Pea Arancini – Chef Brandwein
Eggplant Frites with Caper Remoulade – Chef Gray
Curried Chicken and Duck Egg Crostini – Chef Montes de Oca

~ ~ ~ ~

First Course (Chef Jaime Montes de Oca Jr., Zentan)
Duck Prosciutto
Pickled Wax Beans, Marcona Almonds, Black Currant Jam

Second Course (Chef Xavier Deshayes, Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center)
Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab and Purple Peruvian Potato Croquette
Dijon Mustard Foam

Main Course (Chef Todd Gray, Equinox & Watershed)
Riesling Poached Breast of Market Chicken
Morel Mushroom Agnolotti, Charred Asparagus and Green Peppercorn Chicken Jus

Sweet Course (Chef Amy Brandwein, Casa Nonna)
Panna Cotta of Blue Ridge Camembert
Caramelized Figs, Fig Vin Cotto, Fleur du Sel

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The dishes will feature ingredients from local farmers’ market staples like Meatcrafters, Lois’ Produce, East Oak Organics and Everona Dairy.  Each course is paired with a complementary wine, with labels from California Italy, France, Australia and Portugal represented.

With a price tag of $120 per person, this is definitely a splurge of an evening.  But the combination of great local ingredients, a beautiful setting and the skills of some outstanding local chefs should make this a night to remember.  Tickets are already available online via Eventbrite, and they’re likely to go quickly as the available space limits the number of attendees to roughly 100.

And be sure to let us know if you’re planning to attend!

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