Heralding the summer harvest, the Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano announced the lineup for its seasonal Community Table dinner series, taking place each Friday from June 7 to August 16.
For the 28-acre farm’s recurring event, guest chefs from Southern California prepare a family-style feast using produce cultivated onsite, putting sustainability and regenerative farming on a plate for the community to savor.
Highlights for the summer season include chef Reyna Venegas of Rancho La Puerta whose Northern Baja California roots influence her work; Joshua Gil of Mirate, who will add a farm-to-bar cocktail program to his California-Mexico fare; and Davin Waite of The Plot, offering an all-vegan menu.
The Ecology Center’s Community Table summer lineup is as follows:
June 7: Charlie Ray of Culinary Wildling
June 14: Davin Waite of the Plot (plant-based special dinner)
June 21: Joshua Gil of Mirate
June 28: Reyna Venegas of Rancho La Puerta
July 5: Joe Bower of Finca North Park
July 12: Aiden Owens of Herb & Sea
July 19: Aaron Zimmer of La Vaquera
July 26: Adam Hiner
August 2: Charlie Knowles of Bica
August 9: Jorge Valines
August 16: Nic Webber and Jacob Jordan of 24 Suns
Community Table dinners start on Fridays at 6 p.m. with pre-dinner drinks and a tour of the farm before guests make their way to an outdoor setting for dinner, which usually ends around 10 p.m. The Ecology Center also provides blankets for any unforeseen chill in the air. Tickets cost $160-$175 per person.
SEE ALSO: San Juan Capistrano’s excellent Campesino Cafe signals food shift in South County
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“By inviting these renowned culinary artists to our farm, we not only open doors to new ingredients, but also ignite their passion with the rich tapestry of our bio region’s historic foodways, fostering a deeper connection with the land,” said Evan Marks, founder and executive director of the Ecology Center, in a written release. “This intimate, family-style feast showcases thoughtfully crafted courses, each one a testament to the transformative power of fresh farm produce. As we continue to innovate, we strive to inspire both our guests and chefs, emphasizing the importance of sourcing locally and honoring the journey from farm to table.”
Past appearances at the farm include Alice Water, Valle’s Roberto Alcocer and Samin Nosrat of “Salt Fat Acid Heat” fame.
The Ecology Center – which was founded 2008 years ago on the former Kinoshita Farm site punctuated by the property’s historic Congdon House, built in 1878 – extended its lease with the city of San Juan Capistrano in 2022 for a total of 40 years. The farm project, along with nearby eateries like Heritage Barbecue, Mayfield, El Campeon Taqueria and the upcoming River Street Marketplace, has helped bolster the city’s burgeoning reputation as South County’s food mecca.
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