outstanding in the field review

We had our Outstanding In the Field dinner this past Monday. Overall, it was a really enjoyable experience, despite the record high temps and the most obscene, and I mean OBSCENE amount of mosquitos I have ever seen at one time. Our food, made by the Underground Food Collective was superb, with the vegetable courses standing ahead of the rest in my opinion.

I have to say one of the most pleasurable aspects of the dinner for me was meeting other diners, the crew, founder, farmers and chefs. There was a heavy vibe of pride and excitement that seemed to emanate from everyone involved in the meal. I asked our server Katie about her experience traveling around for the project, her words: "the time of my life." I have to admit I felt a few little pangs of envy but pushed them back and was happy for her and the amazing opportunity. Oh if I could go back to my early 20's I would love to travel around the states serving delicious food, meeting interesting people and making lifelong memories.

Also of note were findings from the alcohol providers: Death's Door Spirits. After several dinners this summer, they proclaimed Madison as the only site that drank all of the liquor dry at the opening reception. Well done, Mad-town.

outstanding in the field-local life

Hi there. I've decided to do a "local life" post on a very loose schedule of 2-3 times per month. I'm not sure how it all relates to the Art Wall theme but I said from the beginning that the blog was for anything that interested me and I enjoy writing about Madison, so I hope it seems to fit with the rest of the blog.

This particular "local life" post is a good transitional piece because it's about Outstanding in the Field, a traveling tour bus that is coming to Madison next month, but will also continue across the states, perhaps coming to a farm near you.

Locally, it will take place at Troy Gardens, which is 31 acres of state-owned land within Madison proper dedicated to preserving wild prairie-lands, offering affordable sustainable housing, and organic gardening and teaching. It is one of the only places of its kind in the country.

The meal will be 5 courses prepared by the Underground Food Collective. It will be my first experience with their fare but I've heard wonderful things about them from Sarah, so I know it will be a feast.

If you'd like to learn more about Outstanding in the Field and find out if they'll be around your neck-of-the-woods, you can visit the website, follow the facebook page or connect on twitter.