Maybe it's the long line of farmers in my ancestry, but I'm drawn to orchards and farms. So when the opportunity to dine in one comes up, I'm lined up, competing to get two seats.
This year for Mother's Day, Tonight, the night before Mother's Day, you'll find me dining under the Redwoods enjoying food prepared by Sean Baker of Gather at one of the 2013 Outstanding in the Field events. In anticipation of this meal, I've been reliving a similar one just under two years ago featuring the cuisine of Richard Blais, winner of Top Chef: All-Stars - The Complete Season 8
The event, Peaches and Tango, happened July 23rd, 2011, and benefited The Chez Panisse Foundation and The Edible Schoolyard Project.
An Open Kitchen
The kitchen and prep area was set up under a tent, open for the guests to see the magic happening. Many went up and talked to Richard Blais. (He was amazingly calm about the interruptions.) I watched in awe, seeing the line set up and appetizers begin to materialize.
The Menu
That warm night cubes and I dined on Hog Island oysters with horseradish pearls; Chilled Hamachi with Fried Chicken, Smoked Aioli and Pickled Radishes, and Cutlet of Turbot with Cherry Tomato and Anchovy Raisin Butter as well as fresh peaches and other appetizers, bites, and dessert. (Full-size photos of the food are in my Peaches and Tango Flickr gallery.) In case you're curious the Hog Island oysters with horseradish pearls were amazing (everything was), but if you're a fan of Top Chef you've probably been a little curious like me.
The Entertainment
Throughout the evening Trio Garufa played music and their dancers entertained us with the tango.
Meeting Richard Blais
At the end of the night I finally overcame my nervousness and went up to Richard Blais. I thanked him for a wonderful meal and got my photograph taken with him.
I didn't know it at the time, I'd find out in the next couple of days, but I was pregnant with Gates. It was nice to pause our dining adventure with this memory of Peaches and Tango.
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Credits: All layouts designed by and images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for The Road to the Good Life.
This post contains an affiliate link followed by (*affiliate link). I feature products that I own or that I am considering purchasing. I own the entire Top Chef Season 8. All opinions presented are my own.
