The mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.
This extraordinary experience and brilliantly crafted entrepreneurial endeavor travels the continent and beyond and we were thrilled that it landed in our part of the world.
Outstanding in the Field is a moving culinary feast that began in 1999. The founder, artist Jim Denevan, has set this long elegant table at farms and gardens, on mountain tops and in caves, on islands or in our case, at a local ranch. Wherever the location, the theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose work brings nourishment to the table. Ingredients for the meals are almost always local and they are prepared by a local celebrated chef of the region.
In our case, the setting was Doublecheck Ranch, buried along the San Pedro River in Gila County, AZ. After a tour of the operation led by ranchers Paul and Sarah Schwennesen, we settled into the long table. We experienced, beef from the ranch, produce from McClendon’s Select, a local grower, and wine from Dos Cabezas, a Southern Arizona winery with a full range of reds and whites. The meal was orchestrated under the brilliant director of Chris Bianco.
Of course, what made the evening so special was the table – seated with farmers, ranchers, vintners, culinary artisans, and diners – all sharing a meal. From one vested in the humanities, the magic started immediately. Early on, I spotted Gary Nabhan, my personal food hero and the founder of the local food movement. I got to hear stories of working the land from Paul and Sarah and was seated amongst interesting and amazing people; a physician with a love of food, a recently retired art teacher, a clothing line entrepreneur. Our conversation resonated and connections were built.
I love the vision of Jim Denevan and that he invented this endeavor to feed his love of travel and to bring people together. Check out his website to find a meal close to you or better yet, invent the concept yourself and honor the land and those who cultivate it into nourishment.
The Gorgeous Table
Chris Bianco and Fiancee
Bring your own Plate
Our Ranchers
Spotted in the Crowd – my Food Hero
Paul describes the Ranch
Todd Bostock – our winemaker
Sarah explains the Operation
And she makes up for size!
Such a beautiful table
After-dinner bonfire
The Lowdown
Sorry, all plates are empty!
The Conversation Continues
Candlelight
Gorgeous Tarts
My own Tart
The Chef and the Winemaker retiring for the evening
Lemony Shredded Brussel Sprouts
From Martha Stewart
Serves 5
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds brussels sprouts, trimmed and shredded with a knife or food processor
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high, add brussels sprouts and 2 tablespoons water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in lemon juice.
At the ranch, Chris Bianco did these with bacon. It was a local, ethically raised variety and the accolades were loud and frequent. This version is lighter and vegan but of course, it’s up to your preference.
Okay, so now I’m wondering about this entire community meal appeal… Should I try this at home?
Agrigirl's Blog 
cindyricksgers
/ January 31, 2013Great post! This sounds like a wonderful evening!
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013It was great food and great fun.
Auburn Meadow Farm
/ January 31, 2013So great you got to do this! Looks like a beautiful evening…
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Perfect weather and a perfect setting.
timkeen40
/ January 31, 2013Looks like a hell of a great time. A lot of people and a lot of food at all times is just how I grew up.
Tim
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Perfect childhood then!
lorrainemt
/ January 31, 2013I just love this! I love the food, the people, the setting, the whole idea of it. Thanks for sharing your lovely experience with us.
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013I think it would be great to try to replicate it. (on a smaller scale)
Tandy
/ January 31, 2013What an amazing experience!
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013And he’s taking it around the world so stay tuned for one near you!
researchingsandiego
/ January 31, 2013I love this idea – communal eating, mixing with new people that are there because of a shared passion and, of course, enjoying the food in a natural landscape. Yes! You should do it! (And, how can I get on that list?) 🙂 What a great experience – thanks for sharing!
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Once we recover from the brown frost burn, I think it might be worth a try. And, you’re not that far away.
researchingsandiego
/ February 14, 2013Yes! Please, keep me in the loop – I would definitely venture out your wayif you decided to host 🙂
nrhatch
/ January 31, 2013Wonderful that the weather cooperated . . . lot more fun under clear skies. Glad you had a chance to attend. Thanks for sharing.
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Weather was fantastic but apparently they had back up tents.
cara
/ February 1, 2013How exciting that you got to attend one of these special dinners. I had the oppurtunity to work at one many years ago in California . I will never forget it!! Such a great way to connect.
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013It looked like a fantastic place for a young unattached person to work.
Nourishing Words
/ February 1, 2013Looks like a beautiful evening and meal. They’ve hosted dinners at my favorite farm in Vermont, and always sell out. My only wish is that the price could be more accessible—not just for me, but for the residents of the communities where the farms are. In this case, I believe the dinner was about $250, which is far, far, out of reach for locals on a $30,000 or less annual income. Other than that, I love the concept!
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013I hear you. This was phenomenally expensive but a rare and special occasion (20 years of bliss) so we splurged. The farm itself is going to host another soon at about $80 which is still pricey but I’m thinking that I could do something like this on a smaller scale without the money making aspect.
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts
/ February 1, 2013What a great idea (down to the lovely white table that becomes so colorful with the bring your own plates). Looks like a good time. Thanks for sharing!
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Bring your own plates really adds to the community aspect and they wash them for you.
On the Lettuce Edge
/ February 1, 2013wow, that table looks like a dream. I love it! I wonder if I could do something like this on my farm.
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013It would be a lot of work but what a kick and what a great way to introduce others to your farm.
floraseasons
/ February 1, 2013How neat, I love the way formality meets nature. You should definitely try this and blog about it so we can join in our adventures outstanding in the field 🙂
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Stay tuned!
authorjaneward
/ February 1, 2013What was your tart? Looks so pretty and delicious!
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013It was pear and a corn meal crust – so delicious.
shelleyburbank
/ February 1, 2013So inspiring and gorgeous photos. I loved everything about this post! Really brightened my day:)
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Thank you for reading it Shelley.
Carrie @ Season It Already!
/ February 1, 2013I’ve always wanted to go to one of those! Yum!
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Google for one in your community. We had a blast making new friends.
Fresh
/ February 1, 2013Sounds like an amazing experience. I hope they come to my neighborhood one of these days!
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Maybe you shouldn’t wait. Maybe you should jump right in and host one…
yummychunklet
/ February 1, 2013That is one long looking table!
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Amazing, isn’t it?
judytheman
/ February 1, 2013Great post! I love the long table photo!
Sent from my iPhone
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013I love that one too Judy.
hotlyspiced
/ February 1, 2013That table out in the middle of seemingly nowhere is just stunning. I’m so glad there wasn’t a cloud in the sky – I would have been so nervous if I was the organiser and I started to see clouds! xx
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013You definitely have to have a weather back-up plan!
Debbie
/ February 1, 2013Tammy .. .last year we drove by a beautiful white set up in the middle of a field . .and I just thought maybe a wedding reception. Now you have me thinking it might have been something like this! Thank you for letting us in on all the beautiful connections going on out there.
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013Maybe you should stop next time?
Ruchikala
/ February 1, 2013This post makes me so homesick! Doublecheck farms is definitely one of my favorite Arizona beef producers and I miss working with them on food events in Tucson. What a romantic evening!
Tammy
/ February 2, 2013I just came home from their stand in the market. They are such a great family and farm.
Inger Wilkerson
/ February 2, 2013What a great dinner–and the long table really is most impressive. We aren’t doing anything like this in Wisconsin now 😉 !
Tammy
/ February 5, 2013No, I’m certain there will be better weather days ahead.
kateshrewsday
/ February 3, 2013Tammy, al fresco is the holy grail of eating to us in Britain. That table looks just amazing. What a wonderful way to celebrate. It sounds like an incredibly exciting occasion.
Tammy
/ February 5, 2013I think you’d love it. The irony of al fresco is that we can’t do it during peak summer months due to heat. The rest of the year is grand however.
Sophie33
/ February 4, 2013I love this kind of long table & the setting too! 🙂 Waw! What a great initiative!
I would liked to have been there too! 🙂 A tasty recipe too!
Tammy
/ February 5, 2013I bet they’ll come to Belgium.
Tokeloshe
/ February 4, 2013What a lovely idea! It looks so relaxing, lovely photos, especially the candle-lit ones. I’m glad the weather co-operated. .
Tammy
/ February 5, 2013We are graced with clear skies for much of the year.
Cindy
/ February 5, 2013That is an amazing setting! I love how your food was local, really makes you appreciate all the time and work that went into bringing it to your table 😀
Tammy
/ February 5, 2013It’s a fabulous awareness raising exercise and I think they can do even more to cultivate good habits for us afterwards.
Sheree
/ February 6, 2013Outstanding in the Field visited a farm about 60 miles away in October and I SO wanted to be a part of it, but it just wasn’t possible. I hope I’ll be able to attend one soon (and host one on my own farm sooner, than later!)
Tammy
/ February 9, 2013The Doublecheck ranch where they did it has other versions of farm to table dinners that are much more reasonably priced. While I don’t have a farm, I’d also love to put on an event like this.
Lisa H
/ February 8, 2013What a wonderful evening! Food always brings people together and is even more special when you get to see where the beautiful meal actually comes from in it’s own setting. Amazing photos and people. Thanks for sharing!
Tammy
/ February 9, 2013The setting was spectacular.
Island Traveler
/ February 11, 2013An inspiring celebration of being one with nature and creating a community that appreciates each other. Wonderful pictures.
Tammy
/ February 13, 2013It was a wonderful event!
Promenade Claire
/ February 15, 2013What a great way to celebrate local food and the producers. It sounds like a very special evening. I’m of fto check out the links!
Oh and lemony brussel sprouts sound delicious, and lovely and easy to prepare too.
Tammy
/ February 15, 2013I became most fond of brussels when I lived in the UK. Prior to that, I didn’t really have an appreciation for how they grew. I hope they do a dinner near you.
Seed Oils
/ February 23, 2013What a beautiful table!
Tammy
/ February 24, 2013What a beautiful event!
isathreadsoflife
/ March 3, 2013A beautiful event indeed, a great celebration and tribute to the local producers and food. Thank you for sharing those moments with your lovely pictures.
nats1mom
/ March 11, 2013WOW! Great, great post!