Outstanding in the Field

Is it just me, or does food ALWAYS taste better when eaten outside?  As a child, I remember savoring those warm PB&J sandwiches and neat little orange wedges my mom would bring to the beach.  Yes, I consumed mine along with a healthy dose of grit and sand (I’m clumsy, what can I say?!), but it was just perfection on a hot summer day.  As I’ve matured, I’ve come to appreciate outdoor dining even more.  On a gorgeous day, forget about the “first available” table – I’m willing to wait as long as necessary for that prime patio seat.

You can imagine my joy when I first heard about Outstanding in the Field.  Picture yourself, along with 120 other foodies, sitting at a huge communal table in a rustic field, sharing an amazing meal and sampling delicious wine.  Add to that, the fact that everything is locally grown and prepared by a celebrity chef just a few feet away, and you’ve got the makings for a highly contagious affair!

The folks behind Outstanding in the Field have a mission “to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.”

Their talented team travels the countryside in a red and white 1953 Flxible Bus.  In 2009, they’re hitting the road to produce 54 events, uniting foodies everywhere from Portland to Princeton and back.  While it’s certainly an expensive dinner (for about $180 – $220 a person you’ll get a five course meal with wine parings, a tour of the farm and producer discussion), it’s sure to be a unique and memorable experience.

NOTE: For all you slowpokes, these reservations tend to sell out faster than a U2 concert!