FARM TO TABLE DINNER + BOOK SIGNING AT SWANK FARMS

There’s nothing quite like a farm to table dinner, enjoyed right on the land it is grown. And for us in South Florida, that experience is called the Swank Table Dinners.

Based in Loxahatchee Groves, Swank Farms is a hydroponic farm known for the impeccable quality of the 350 varieties of vegetables, edible flowers, and micro-greens grown on site for the area’s top restaurants.

What began as an intimate 70 person dinner in 2011, has since grown into 18 unique signature events where Jodi and Darrin Swank celebrate the true meaning of farm to table, all while raising money for local charities.

Every season, these al fresco dinners are prepared in collaboration with an impressive roster of local and nationally renowned chefs, and an impressive lineup of farmers, artisanal producers, sommeliers, mixologists, microbreweries, distillers, and organic winemakers to produce multicourse meals showcasing produce fresh off the farm.

This year, I was invited to participate in their Vegetable Love Dinner Series, where I created the Welcome Bite* for hungry guests. I served Pear and Thyme Cashew Blue Cheese Bites and Almond Mozzarella Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle, inspired from my book: Vegan Cheese, Simple, Delicious Plant-Based Cheese.

Guests also feasted on dishes such as the Pachadi Salad by Pushkar Marathe from Ghee Miami, the Pad Thai with Turnip Noodles by Ken Blue of Hippocrates Health Institute and a quark cheesecake with a chocolate and beet “soil by Cindy Bearman from Oceano Kitchen, among others.

Guests also enjoyed a tour of the farm, live music and a book signing with yours truly, featuring my newly released books: Nourish and Glow and Fresh and Pure.

If you haven’t experienced the true magic of Swank Farms, it is highly recommended! You can book your tickets here www.swankspecialtyproduce.com.

*The platters I served my welcoming bites on are the ROOT collection by FOH.

PHOTOS BY PAPPHOTO