Enjoy World Class Cuisine under the Stars in Lebanon, Saturday August 11th
July 26, 2012 (Lebanon, CT) –
What do you get when you combine world class cuisine with the sublime outdoor beauty of a Connecticut farm and foot stomping music? Why “Bluegrass, Beers & BBQ” of course! This event presented by MAX Restaurant Group and The Farmer’s Cow will be held on August 11th at Graywall Farms in Lebanon, one of the six family-owned Connecticut dairy farms that make up The Farmer’s Cow.
“Bluegrass, Beers & BBQ” is part of the MAX Group “Chef-to-Farm” series, which was recently named by Fodor’s Travel as one of the “five fabulous farm dinners this summer.” It is a unique culinary experience that gives patrons the opportunity to enjoy the freshest of foods and produce in the natural setting of a working Connecticut farm. Each dinner is cooked from scratch and showcases that day’s best produce.
The evening at Graywall Farms will include dinner prepared on-site by Executive Chef Scott Miller, with tables dressed in white linen and candlelight providing views of the lush fields as well as the al fresco kitchen. The inspired menu features BBQ’d Noank Oysters, Crudites of Local Vegetables, Gourmarvian Farms smoked chicken, grilled striped bass, roasted corn tamale, summer slaw, breads from Hartford Baking Company, local cheeses from Beltane Farms, Cato Corner and Beaver Brook Farms, and of course The Farmer’s Cow fresh ice cream, among many other delicious selections.
Cocktails utilizing Rime organic vodka from Westford Hill Distillers of Ashford and The Farmer’s Cow Lemonade, good naturedly nick-named, “The Farmer’s Cow Corrupted Cow Cocktails,” will be served along with beer from Thomas Hooker and wine from Rosedale Farms Vineyard in Simsbury. Dinner guests will also be able to take a tour of the farm, see the cows being milked and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding fields while listening to bluegrass music.
A portion of the proceeds from the event at Graywall Farms will benefit the Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT), a statewide conservation organization dedicated solely to permanently protecting Connecticut's farmland. “We are really excited to be hosting this event,” says Robin Chesmer, owner of Graywall Farms and Managing Member of The Farmer’s Cow, “It will bring a first quality restaurant experience out into the fields surrounded by growing crops and allowing guests to see first-hand where their food comes from. Plus, it supports The Farmer’s Cow mission to promote and preserve agriculture in Connecticut.”
“Every year, Connecticut loses more farmland than it is able to save,” says Jim Gooch, Executive Director of Connecticut Farmland Trust. “In response to that threat, CFT has saved 26 farms and over 2,100 acres of land to date. We are so grateful to The Farmer’s Cow for all they do to help us in our work, and to MAX for seeing the value in that partnership. Together, we’re making real progress – and that means more and better locally grown food for the future.”
Seating is limited. Tickets are $115 per person for this one-time event that will be a highlight of the summer season. To purchase tickets visit www.maxdiningcard.com. For more information visit www.TheFarmersCow.com, call (866) 355‐COWS, or email farmers@thefarmerscow.com.
About The Farmer’s Cow
The Farmer’s Cow is a group of six Connecticut dairy farms that produces fresh, local milk, half & half, heavy cream and ice cream for Southern New England. The Farmer’s Cow dairy products are pasteurized the “traditional way” and are never ultra‐pasteurized. The members of The Farmer’s Cow do not use Artificial Growth Hormones (rBST) on any of their cows. They also sell Connecticut‐sourced, all‐natural eggs, apple cider, seasonal beverages and coffee. The Farmer’s Cow’s mission is to promote Connecticut agriculture and prove to consumers that “Local is Fresh!”
About Connecticut Farmland Trust
Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT) exists to protect farms. Every year, Connecticut loses more farmland than it saves, and CFT is the only land trust in the state dedicated solely to preserving the best of Connecticut's working land. CFT works with farmers to ensure that they can afford to stay on the land, and to make sure that the next generation of farmers has land available -- the best soil in the state, in fact, some of the best soil in the world. 2012 is CFT's 10th Anniversary. In the last 10 years the trust has protected 26 farms and over 2,100 acres. While CFT uses a range of Federal, State and local resources to protect these farms, the trusts operations are funded entirely by ordinary people offering up private donations. For more information visit CFT at www.ctfarmland.org or on Facebook under Connecticut Farmland Trust. The Connecticut Farmland Trust is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
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