Local farmers and local chefs pair up in support of sustainable agriculture

Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance and the Council for Healthy Food Systems announce a special event to support our efforts to advocate for independent family farmers and ranchers, and to provide educational programs to farmers and the consumers who buy their products.

On Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, the first-ever Chefs for Local Farmers dinner takes place on the historic, riverside grounds of UTSA Southwest Campus (formerly the Southwest School of Art).

Distinguished local chefs will be on hand to prepare foods from ingredients grown by Texas’ independent ranchers and farmers.

We know this will be a special evening for anyone who cares about the integrity and quality of their food. You can view the official Chefs for Local Farmers invitation here. Feel free to download it to share or you can share the link: https://farmandranchfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/chefs-dinner-2022-invitationV9-12.pdf

Keep up with all additions and changes on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Our list of featured chefs continues to grow, but currently confirmed are:

• Tracy Byrd of The Rooted Fork
• James Canter of Guerrilla Gourmet
• Chris Cook of Special Leaf Tea and Chef Cooperatives
• Jason Garcia of Il Forno
• Fred Gonzalez of Kuriya at Cherrity Bar
• Elizabeth Johnson of Pharm Table
• Teddy Liang of Chef Cooperatives
• Jesse “Kirk” Kuykendall of Ocho at Hotel Havana and Milpa Restaurant
• Anne Ng & Jeremy Mandrell of Bakery Lorraine
• Stephen Paprocki owner of Pharma from the Farm and Texas Black Gold Garlic; president of Chef Cooperatives/SA chapter
• Michael Sohocki of Kimura
• Toby Soto of Humo and Chef Cooperatives
• Ceasar Zepeda of Sangria on the Burg and Alamo Biscuit Company

Each chef will be paired with at least one independent family farmer to create small plates that excel at highlighting each chef’s strengths, each farmer’s passion for sustainably grown food, and look and taste amazing!

These are a few of the Texas farmers, ranchers, and local food artisans providing ingredients:

• Barton Springs Mill
• Behind the Oaks Farm
• Braune Farms
• Broken Arrow Ranch
• Common Market
• Farmhouse Delivery
• Flying Saucer Mushrooms
• Force of Nature Meats
• Green Bexar Farm
• Groomer Seafood
• Holdman Honey
• Homestead Gristmill
• Mesquite Field Farm
• Peeler Farms
• Pure Pastures
• River Whey Creamery
• Salvation Salumi
• Southwest Farms
• Talking Tree Farm
• Zanzenberg Farm

Beverages will be provided by these local makers:

• Catspring Yaupon Tea
• Infamous Brewing Company
• Texas Keeper Cider
• Violet Crown Spirits
• William Chris Vineyards | Lost Draw Cellars

We’re also excited to announce our special guest for the event … author and filmmaker Raj Patel, who will speak briefly on how local foods tie into a global movement that opposes conventional agricultural methods that are based on extraction rather than regeneration.

Tickets are available at a number of levels and are all-inclusive. Each ticket includes a raffle ticket (which additional tickets available to purchase at the event) to win one of the following:

• Grand Prize: Private Dinner for up to 8, from Chef Brooke Smith Balli featuring products from Texas Tribal Buffalo Project and Natural Grocers
• First Prize: Hill Country Getaway with 3 days and 2 nights at the Fiddler’s Creekside vacation rental and “The Vineyard Table Experience” for two at the neighboring William Chris Vineyard.
• Second Prize: Urban Gardening Tour and Consultation with Gardopia Gardens.

Interesting in underwriting part of this event? Or do you need instructions to pay by check? Any questions, please contact Lindsay Gonzales, Development Director for FARFA and CHFS.