What: The Village Feast, presented by Slow Food Yolo and the Davis Farm to School Connection.
When and where: Noon Aug. 23 under the sycamore trees in Davis Central Park; $70 per person, $55 for Slow Food members; advance reservations required; (530) 219-0831, www.slowfoodyolo.com or www.davisfarmtoschool.org.
On the menu: Lamb cooked three ways, paired with Yolo County summer vegetables to go with bowls of golden aioli, concluding with fresh fruit tarts.
Pay attention: Seating for the 300 guests will be at one long table; all participants must bring their own tableware, including plates, knives, forks, spoons and paper napkins; wine glasses will be provided.
Extras: A silent auction of regional food, wine and art, including a class at Mulvaney's in Sacramento, followed by a meal prepared by the classmates; and a behind-the-scenes opportunity at Chez Panisse in Berkeley.
Beneficiary: The Davis Farm to School Connection will benefit, with proceeds providing for school gardens, farm visits for second-graders, school recycling programs, and seasonal produce in school lunch programs.
Featured volunteer: Jamie Buffington calls herself a "heavy-duty volunteer" when it comes to the Davis Farm to School program and the Village Feast.
"It is very, very exciting," said Buffington. "This is the only public venue we have. Four years ago, we came up with the idea to have a public event reiterating the whole concept around the environment, food and socializing around food. The first year, we cleared $5,000; the second, $20,000. And then this year … we'll see." The feast, which lasts for at least three hours, sold out last year.
Buffington is a UC master gardener and garden coordinator for Pioneer Elementary School. In her own garden, summer tomatoes are a favorite.
"You can't get around fresh tomatoes," said Buffington. "And in the winter, I love going out with scissors and picking baby lettuce."
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