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Dinners on the Farm!

Zone 7 Partners with Oak Grove Plantation and A Toute Heure to
Present Monthly “Dinners on the Farm” Series on August 8

Event: Zone 7 “Dinners on the Farm” Series
Date: Sunday, August 8, 2010
Time: 4:00 – 8:00PM
Location: Oak Grove Plantation, 266 Oak Grove Road, Pittstown, NJ
Cost: $135 per person (includes tour, hors d’oeuvres, 4-course meal & wine)
Contact: Mikey Azzara, Owner, Zone 7, dinners@freshfromzone7.com  
Registration: Online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/121293 or mail payment to Zone7, P.O. Box 66012, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

The Dinners On The Farm series, which combines behind-the-scenes farm tours with fresh and seasonal meals prepared by luminary local chefs, will continue on Sunday, August 8, at Oak Grove Plantation, Pittstown, NJ.

The distance between farm and table has never been shorter.

Oak Grove Plantation will host the event and provide privileged access to their fields, bursting with the bounty of mid-summer.  With over 160 acres in production, the farm produces hundreds of varieties of organic vegetables, fruits, grains, herbs and hogs. Andrea Carbine and her team from A Toute Heure in Cranford will showcase the best offerings of the farm, with a strong emphasis on Oak Grove’s vegetables, in a special four-course meal with wines specifically chosen to complement each course.  Featured guest chef, Dave Augenti, of Market Restaurant in Montclair, will prepare the first course. 

“This kind of event enables us to reach out to the public and say that these restaurants and these chefs are going above and beyond in their commitment to supporting New Jersey agriculture,” says Mikey Azzara, founder of the local produce distribution company Zone 7, which founded the series.

Dinners on the Farm also provides first-hand knowledge of how food begins in the field. Oak Grove Plantation, which is celebrating its 33rd year, has gained recognition as a leading regional farm in areas of sustainable agriculture and organic farming. Their commitment to sustainability is not only expressed through organic farming and agriculture, but also through the use of renewable energy and solar panels that supply all of the farm's electrical needs. The Blew Family will offer an enlightening glimpse into their organic and sustainable production. 

It was in the “a toute heure” (or daily specials) menus of the bistros of France that owners Andrea and Jim Carbine found the inspiration for their restaurant.  They have created an award winning family-run bistro with a strong focus on locally sourced seasonal ingredients.  Their kitchen team works daily to use these fresh ingredients and put together a new American menu with French and Spanish flavors that highlights the best the season and region have to offer.

Both Chef/Owner Andrea Carbine and executive chef, Kara Decker, have received numerous accolades.  Chef Carbine was a 2009 and 2010 James Beard Nominee for Best Chef, Mid Atlantic Region, while Chef Decker was named one of New Jersey’s “Hot Chefs” by Inside Jersey Magazine in 2008.  A Toute Heure was also named a “local hero” by Edible Jersey in 2008 and was an Open Table Diner’s Choice award winner in 2009 and 2010. 

Market Restaurant is a garden inspired neighborhood restaurant with a laid back atmosphere. Chef Dave Augenti serves farmers market style eclectic American cuisine and focuses his attention on serving the freshest, most locally grown produce. Most of the produce is locally resourced and certified organic. At Market they believe in sustainable farming and consider themselves a part of the “slow food” movement.

Both A Toute Heure and Market are loyal and enthusiastic customers of Zone 7, a farm-fresh distribution service that delivers the highest quality ingredients from New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania farms to restaurants, grocers and institutions. Based in central New Jersey and named after its agricultural growing zone, Zone 7 began operation in spring 2008 to satisfy the growing demand for local ingredients. It works to strengthen the local and regional food chain by enabling restaurants, grocers and institutions to buy from and support small- and medium-sized sustainable farms. Zone 7’s role is to act as a direct link between farmers and chefs, creating a new and dependable outlet for farmers and offering a consistent and reliable source of locally grown products to chefs and grocers.

“Part of our mission is to shine the spotlight on our farms and our great chefs,” says Mr. Azzara, who, prior to starting Zone 7, had been connecting farmers and chefs for years as the outreach coordinator for the Northeast Organic Farming Association (New Jersey).

Dinners On The Farm will continue each month through October, highlighting the region's best farms and chefs. The series kicked off in June, pairing Terhune Orchards in Lawrence and Scott Anderson, executive chef and co-owner of elements in Princeton. The most recent dinner was held on July 18th at Muth Family Farm in Williamstown, NJ with Chef Chris Albrecht from Eno Terra in Kingston preparing the meal.

A portion of the proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Hunterdon Land Trust, a nonprofit conservation organization working to preserve and protect the rural landscapes and natural resources of Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  Please check out their Farmer’s Market at the Historic Dvoor Farm now open Thursdays 3 pm to 7 pm and Sundays 9 am to 1 pm, 111 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ.

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Mikey Azzara, Andrea Carbine, Dave Augenti and the Blew Family are available for interviews.