Great
chefs are Congregating at the
Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm
The
discovery of the Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm
in Santa Rosa, CA for renowned chefs Traci Des Jardins
of Jardinière, John Stewart and
Duskie Estes of Sonoma County's Zazu
and Bovolo, Patricia Taan of Farmhouse
Inn, and Nick Peyton of Cyrus,
has led to the most sumptuous Farm to Table feast fundraiser
in the region being held May 14, 2011 at the
Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm in Santa
Rosa, CA.
|
Wendy
Mardigian (assistant), Duskie Estes of Zazu and Bovolo,
and Traci Des Jardins of Jardinière |
It's
all about the state-of-the-art educational curriculum at the Summerfield
Waldorf School and Farm featuring hands-on integrated
learning skills to include farming, live circus trapeze skills,
music, art, construction, all in addition to an excellent academic
curriculum.
A
tour of the 38 acre facility is highlighted by a 15 acre garden
of biodynamically farmed vegetables maintained by its diverse
student body, along with a medicinal garden, an heirloom apple
orchard, animal husbandry program with a newborn calf, an exceptional
music program, as well as other exciting hands on programs to
offer a child a superior education, long thought extinct.
|
A
child at the school's produce stand |
The
school's Farm to Table program represents the growing awareness
that many of today's smartest and best chefs carry into their
own restaurant. While the fresh produce grown in your own back
yard offers a better, fresher tasting and more nutritional product
for even the most cost conscious of us all, it also reminds us
that our own backyard offers us all a natural bounty that we've
often overlooked in today's "modern age" of getting
it all from the grocery store. Traci, Duskie and John, all local
Sonoma chefs and practicing gardeners for their own restaurants,
have taught the school's student body how to grow and harvest
these vegetables, providing the opportunity for the students to
then pass on the knowledge to their own parents and local communities.
The chefs' participation has not only given the school the skills
they need to offer this program, but it plays a key role in the
preparation of the yearly fundraisers the school provides each
year to raise funds for future scholarships.
"Right
now, 35% of our student body is on scholarship. We would love
to be in a position to double that," says Development Director
Andrea Johnston . "That's why we are going to such lengths
to make sure that our community knows of this fundraiser. It would
be an excellent opportunity to get to know each other."
Tickets
cost $250 per plate, and the five course dinner and wine tasting
will be prepared by none other than Traci Des Jardins
of Jardiniere, John Stewart and Duskie
Estes of Sonoma County's Zazu and Bovolo,
Patricia Taan of Farmhouse Inn,
and Nick Peyton of Cyrus, and will be
served under a 100 year old walnut tree, promising to be a good
time for all who attend.
Under
the walnut tree lights at last year's dinner
The event begins at 4 pm, and includes pre-dinner wine tasting,
a multi-course dinner, and critically acclaimed wines. Tickets
($250) may be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets (www.brownpapertickets.com)
while more information is available via www.farmtofeast.org
or 707.575.7194 ext 105.
About
Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm
Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm (www.summerfieldwaldorf.org.)
was founded in Santa Rosa in 1974. It provides a Waldorf-based
education for children from early childhood through high school.
An integral part of the school's curriculum is a 38-acre campus
with 15 acres that have been biodynamically farmed for 30 years
and certified Demeter Biodynamic® since 2003. This farm is
one of only 100 such farms in the United States. Summerfield Waldorf
School and Farm is a 501c (3) non-profit corporation. An early
childhood through high school education supports the growth of
social awareness, active tolerance and living harmoniously with
the environment.
Article
by Ellen Walsh
Photos courtesy of Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm