My first Farm to table dinner experience

I had heard the term “farm to table” many times before, but I had never experienced it myself, something I had always wanted to do. So when I learned about this beautiful event, I was immediately excited. The dinner was hosted on a charming, privately owned farm tucked away in a residential neighborhood of coastal San Diego, in the lovely community of Encinitas.

From the moment I arrived, I fell in love with the space. The farm instantly reminded me of my childhood, when my family would get together to cook meals using fresh ingredients straight from the garden. That same sense of warmth and nostalgia washed over me as I walked in. The farm’s owner, David, welcomed us with a hug and made us feel at home right away. Shortly after, Sienna greeted us with a glass of homemade cider, which was the perfect way to begin the evening.

I was truly amazed by the thoughtfully designed setup, the long communal dinner tables, the fully equipped outdoor kitchen, and a beautiful clay oven built by David himself. In the center, there was a box-style stovetop used to prepare additional dishes over an open flame.

Everything felt rustic, intentional, and incredibly authentic, exactly what you would hope for at a farm-to-table dinner. The amount of effort and care that went into creating this outdoor kitchen was inspiring. By this point, I was completely in bliss.

While David and his team prepared dinner, my husband and I wandered through the fields, taking in the beauty of the farm and soaking up the peaceful atmosphere.

After our walk around the property, I stopped by the outdoor kitchen to chat with the chef, Claire. Watching her make the gnocchi and other dishes reminded me of a food network show as they all worked together to bring a beautiful meal together.

As the evening progressed, more guests arrived and the mingling began. Everyone was amazed by the atmosphere of this beautiful evening, the ambience and the farm.

One of David’s friends, Evan, played guitar, adding an extra layer of magic to the already beautiful ambiance.

David then gave us a tour of the farm, sharing details about how they grow their produce and mentioning that they offer CSA boxes. These boxes include seasonal produce and can either be delivered or picked up, depending on your location, such a wonderful way to stay connected to local, sustainable food.

After the tour, everyone settled in at the dinner tables as the final preparations were made. I walked over to observe the cooking process and captured some beautiful moments as the dishes came together. My favorite part was watching the clay oven in use, roasting beets, butternut squash, and other vegetables. Below, over the open fire in the center of the kitchen, additional dishes were being prepared with equal care.

The first course was Brussels Toast, "Fire-roasted Brussels sprouts with garlic, citrus, anchovy, and capers, served over griddled focaccia"

While we waited for the main course, each table was served a generous platter of salad to share. This beautiful salad was called the Embered Beet & Kale Salad: "Ember-roasted beets and kale with shaved fennel, pickled mustard seed, Manchego, and citrus.”

Then the main course was served. A hearty bowl of the Oxtail & Butternut Gnocchi: “Slow-braised oxtail with rainbow chard, roasted butternut squash, and hand-rolled gnocchi,” which I had the pleasure of watching being made fresh from scratch. They thoughtfully offered gluten-free and keto options as well.

To end the evening, we were served a delicious gluten-free date cake as dessert, paired with ice cream. The Sticky Date Cake made with “local dates and warm spices, toasted grain crumble, and vanilla crème fraîche” This dessert was so indulging and the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable farm-to-table experience.There is truly nothing like enjoying food that has traveled just a few steps from the farm to your table.

I want to dedicate this post to my dad, who passed away last year. He was very fond of nature, organic food and a great artist who admired beauty and appreciated hard work. I shared so many experiences with him and wish I could share this with him too. I know he watched us from heaven that evening and maybe sat at the table with us. This is for you dad! Love you. This was a truly memorable experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.

Thank you, Cardiff Tiny Farm!