It's November. That means, before you know it, you'll be
beating past snotty-nosed kids waiting to sit on Santa's lap and
perfume-spraying models on your way to Williams-Sonoma in an attempt to start
holiday shopping for your favorite foodies. Egads. Maybe this year you'll be
smarter and find them a really easy-to-get, truly appreciated gift like a pair
of tickets to a Swank Table Farm Style event.
Last year Swank Specialty Produce's owners, Jodi and Darrin
Swank, brought in a host of amazing chefs who cooked innovative meals as guests
learned about hydroponic growing houses and dined on things organic, artisanal and micro-brewed under a large tent. For
2013, a whole new lineup is at the ready, including chefs from Buccan, Café
Boulud, Essensia, Market 17, 1500, and the Michael's Genuine hotshots.
Thus far, the fab events scheduled include a Pico de Garden
Gala (Jan. 6), Hot Pink Lunch (Feb. 10), Wearin' o' the Green Salad (March 17),
and something called Genuinely Swank (April 7). [Guess who will be cooking at
that one. And, yes, Hedy Goldsmith will happily sign your new copy of "Baking
Out Loud."]
All meals are held from noon to 4 p.m. and cost $150 per
person. Yeah, that may seem pricey, but proceeds benefit charities like The
Milagro Center, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, The Red Cross, and James
Beard Scholarship Foundation. And, we swear, you'll be served more than enough
food and drink to justify the cost.