The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Local chef to coordinate dinner
Auction included; others to participate in preparation of meal
WOODBURY >> A Farm to Table Dinner & Auction, to benefit Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust will be coordinated by a local chef, who will be joined by other “esteemed” chefs from area restaurants on Aug. 21.
The event will be held on the grounds of the Van Vleck Farm & Nature Sanctuary in Woodbury. Food harvested from local farms will be prepared by coordinating Chef John Bourdeau, who is from Woodbury where he grew up with a strong farming background. He has an accomplished culinary history and presently is the highly regarded owner and Chef of the Main Street Grill in Watertown, where he is known for his delicious farm to table menu.
In addition to Chef Bourdeau, part of the menu will also be prepared by several other esteemed area chefs such as Dennis DeBellis, Jr. from John’s Café, Carlos Perez from LaPalette Bakery, Carol Byer-Alcorace from New Morning Market, Riad Aamar from Oliva’s, and James O’Shea and Charles Kafferman from West Street Grill. Several local farms are providing ingredients and New Morning Market, Connecticut Community Foundation, Labonne’s Markets, CT Home Navigator and the Seimon Company are generously helping to sponsor the evening.
The event will feature a three course meal with signature summer cocktails, live music from the acoustic string band Switch Factory, and a chance to bid on several unique auction items and experiences.
The Farm to Table dinner and auction will begin at 5 p.m. An array of unique items including trips and tickets, home and garden items, artwork, restaurant gift certificates and one-of-akind experiences such as an African Photo Safari for two will go to the highest bidders. In addition, in keeping with the theme local craftsman have made handcrafted tables to be displayed and auctioned off that evening.
“Holding a Farm to Table event is very appropriate for Flanders since its history is deeply rooted in farming,” said Flanders Executive Director Arthur Milnor. “Our founder Natalie Van Vleck was a farmer raising sheep and prize winning turkeys and our Van Vleck Property is still home to a working farm. The farm helps support our mission of promoting an appreciation of nature and land preservation.
“This very special celebration fundraiser will help promote awareness and appreciation of our local farmers by bringing the community together to experience the beauty and flavors of their harvests,” he said. “It also brings to the forefront local chefs who are committed to the farm to table concept and are experts in bringing the freshest ingredients to the table in creative and unique ways.”
Tickets are $100 per person and seating is limited. All proceeds from the event will benefit the environmental education and land preservation programs of Flanders. To purchase tickets, view auction items or make a donation go to www.flandersnaturecenter.org or call Flanders at 203-263-3711; Ext 14.
Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust is a nonprofit organization that focuses on environmental education, and on the acquisition, conservation, and stewardship of open space. Through its land trust initiatives, Flanders actively works to protect important natural sites and the area’s landscape character and quality of life. Flanders manages over 2,100 acres of preserved land in Woodbury and neighboring towns. Educational programs for children and adults are offered at the Van Vleck Farm Sanctuary, Flanders’ main campus in Woodbury. Trails at its major nature preserves are open to the public at no charge from dawn to dusk. Flanders’ Welcome Center is located at the corner of Church Hill and Flanders Roads in Woodbury.
For more information, call 203-263-3711 or flandersnaturecenter.org