This past weekend I got the chance to participate in a great Slow Food St. Louis event called Lambstravaganza. Simply titled as "A Feast In The Field", the event allows some of St. Louis's finest chefs to celebrate the lamb raised by Dave and Barb Hillebrand on Prairie Grass Farms in New Florence, Missouri.
Proceeds from the event are used to support Slow Food St. Louis’ Micro Grant program. Started in 2009, the program has given more than $12,000 to area farmers to encourage them to produce heirloom and heritage vegetables and livestock. It is the hope of Slow Food St. Louis that by taking on a share of the financial burden farmers are faced with by subsidizing the purchase of the necessary seed, livestock or equipment, that they can foster biodiversity to both maintain and enrich our region’s agricultural heritage.
I'd like to thank the Hillebrand's for having us out to their farm on such a fine Sunday afternoon. I'd also like to thank the chefs, beer and wine makers who donated their time and skills to help celebrate local food.
The line up included:
Monarch - Joshua Galliano
Yia Yia's - Rob Uyemura
SleeK Steakhouse - Steve Caraveli
Entre Underground - John Perkins
Five Bistro - Anthony Devoti
Sidney Street Café - Kevin Nashan
Niche - Gerard Craft
Farmhaus Restaurant - Kevin Willmann
Schlafly Beer
Les Bourgeois Vineyards
I hope you enjoy these photos from the farm and just a few of the dishes served up that day.
Prairie Grass Farms in New Florence, Missouri
Prairie Grass Farms in New Florence, Missouri
The menu of eight courses, by chef. Each course featured lamb, eggs and goat milk sourced from Prairie Grass Farms.
Offal, legs and chicken eggs.
Lamb loin.
Lamb shanks and rib sections.
Lamb shoulder, beef
Lamb neck, leg and sweet breads.
Thanks again to everyone who worked to put this event together -- I can't wait for next year. If you are not already a member of Slow Food, I highly encourage you to get involved. You can find out more information and locate your local chapter here.
