Totally Local VC’s
Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series
The innovative dinner series promoting Ventura County’s world-class agriculture and cuisine
Farm-to-Fork at its very best
Our Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series returns for 2024. Dinner 1 sold out, but Dinner 2 tickets will be available soon.
Southern California foodies typically have a lot to look forward to as the seasons evolve, especially on the Gold Coast with our powerful agricultural legacy. The anticipation rises a notch higher as Totally Local VC, Ventura County’s breakout advocacy network, announces this year’s Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series.
The Totally Local VC Dinner Series has been getting to the root of great taste since 2006. Our innovative farm-to-fork dining events marry iconic Ventura County locations with some of the area’s top-line chefs, purveyors, wineries and breweries, preparing seasonal selections harvested from the region’s most celebrated farms.
Join us for our incredible farm-to-fork dinner events, where we celebrate the best of seasonal and local delights! Every detail of the evening – from the delicious food and drinks to the lively music, fun entertainment, and beautiful decor – is sourced locally. You’ll experience the true essence of the bounty that is Ventura County in a night filled with joy and flavor!
Totally Local VC's 2024 Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series Schedule
Dinner at the Mission Orchard
| Date: | Thursday, July 18, 2024 |
| Time: | 5:30 pm |
| Cost: | $185.00 per person |
| Chef: | Chef Shannon Rice Peirano’s Market |
| Purveyors: | McGrath Family Farmers, Petty Ranch, Buon Gusto Farms, Blue Ridge Honey, Five Points Meat Market, Limoneira Company |
| Beverages: | Wine – Four Brix Winery; Beer – Rincon Brewery; Spirits – Ventura Spirits; Coffee – Beacon Coffee |
| Music: | Francisco Leon |
| Rentals: | Ventura Rental Party Center, In the Mix, Major Events Trailers |
Note: The address and directions to the location will be revealed to ticketed guests prior to the day of event.
Escape to an Evening of Historic Charm and Farm-Fresh Flavors at this year’s first Farm-to-Fork Dinner as we visit Ventura County’s historic birthplace, San Buenaventura Mission, founded in 1782 by Father Junipero Serra.
Upon arrival at the enchanting gardens on the Mission grounds, you will mingle among the flowers and ornamental palms standing sentinel over bougainvillea-lined loggias. Meet new friends while sipping locally-produced libations and savoring farm-to-fork appetizers as we take in the old world charm of this beautiful space.
As the sun dips below the horizon, you’ll be ushered to the site of the original Mission orchard to dine al fresco in a communal, family style under the magnificent boughs of a giant Moreton Bay Fig Tree said to be planted in the 1880s – the lone remaining link to the Mission’s farming era.
In this beautiful setting, Chef Shannon Rice of historic Peirano’s Market will regale your senses with her masterful farm-fresh cuisine highlighting seasonal selections harvested from the region’s celebrated farms. Her five-course menu will be flawlessly paired with celebrated local wines, craft beers, and artisan coffee. (And prepare to be dazzled by a special guest chef soon to be revealed.)
As you savor each meticulously prepared course you will have the opportunity to connect with the very farmers who cultivated the fare gracing your plate as they share insights into the journey from their fields to your fork. Likewise, the winemakers and brewers will also provide a rich context on the methods that influence the flavors of the beverages they produce. With each bite and sip, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Ventura County’s agricultural bounty and the dedication behind such exceptional flavors.
Embracing the evening’s historic theme, the Museum of Ventura County will illuminate the Mission’s indelible connection to our county’s powerful agricultural legacy.
Like all Totally Local VC Farm-to-Fork Dinners, this elegant evening promises an extraordinary sensory experience. As you luxuriate in the lush surroundings, the sights, sounds, and flavors of Ventura County will envelop you from every angle. We hope you’ll join us for this truly unique immersion into the bounty of our county.
These wonderful videos just scratch the surface of the joyful experience shared by our guests at Totally Local VC’s Dinner at the Mission Orchard in July 2024.
Dinner at the Mission Orchard recap
The history of the Mission orchard
This year's second dinner: TBA
Our second dinner of the season is still in the planning stages. Stay tuned for further information.
Proceeds from our Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series go toward funding programs affiliated with Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation, a 501(c)3) not-for-profit organization. These programs help students to connect the dots from field-to-fork and field-to-career.
At the heart of our efforts lies a commitment to empowering local charities through our fundraising endeavors. When you dine with us, you’re not just enjoying a meal; you’re becoming a catalyst for positive change. Proceeds from our dinners fuel initiatives that support organizations like the Future Farmers of America and the Steve Tobey Scholarship Fund, enriching the lives of Ventura County High School students.
But our impact doesn’t stop there. We’re passionate about nurturing the next generation of culinary talent. Through immersive experiences at our dinners, students have the unique opportunity to learn from top chefs, gaining valuable insights into the field-to-fork process. Moreover, we facilitate intern programs, connecting aspiring chefs with invaluable hands-on training opportunities across the county. Together, let’s continue to sow the seeds of hope and opportunity in our community!
The Dinner Series is the brainchild of longtime Ventura resident and Totally Local VC founder Kat Merrick, who explains, “The goal is to draw attention not only to our local Agriculture community, but also to our outstanding local chefs and local businesses that have helped to make Ventura County such an amazing place to live. At the same time, we are bringing awareness to and deepening people’s appreciation of historic Ventura County locations.
Volunteers Needed
Be part of our crew
The Dinner Series, Taste of Local, Cheers for Charity, Ag Week and more all need volunteers like you to help us at these events.
If you would like to help, please fill out and submit the Volunteer Registration Form accessed by clicking the button below.
NOTE: These dinners are for persons aged 21 and older.You may be asked to show ID at the event. This five-course dining experience includes alcohol in the ticket price.
Need more info? Have any questions? Let us know. Leave a message on our contact page.
14 comments
Hello, any chance you will do a plant-based/vegan event at some point?
Love the idea/concept.
Thank you for your comment. That’s a great idea and one we will consider.
Cannot attend on June 2 but please put me on list.
You have been added to our mailing list. We hope to see you at a future event.
So great to see these fabulous dinners are back on!
We are beyond excited that the Dinner Series as well as several other events are once again available to everyone this year. We hope to see you at our events.
Hi
Can you please tell me the venue for these dinners and if they are outside or inside?
How many tickets will you be selling, in other words how many people will be attending?
Is there a menu we can see?
Love this idea and hope we can participate.
The event is at Harmon Canyon Preserve in Ventura. All of our dinner events are outside. Directions and additional information are provided to ticket holders a few days prior to the event.
The number of attendees at our events varies. All of our dinners are limited seating events. Tickets always sell out and are only available prior to the event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/297186220987
We do not provide the menu in advance as all of our dinners are farm-to-fork. The chef creates the menu using the freshest, just-picked items that are available a few days prior to the event. All servings are presented family style to attendees sitting at one very long table. If you have a dietary restriction, please let us know and we will let you know if it can be accommodated.
The Totally Local VC Dinner Series has been getting to the root of good taste for over 16 years. We hope that you will join us at our table.
I’m a total foodie and love the outdoors!!! Anything like this in Santa Barbara?
No not that we know of.
We truly are a unique field to fork experience.
We attended the 2023 dinner at Cummings Ranch and had such a wonderful time. Can hardly wait till the next one…..when will the next one be and when will tickets be available? Thank you so much.
We’re so glad you enjoyed our first 2023 dinner.
We are working on securing a location for the next dinner. Unfortunately, the original location planned for our second dinner had some issues. So, we are actively looking for another beautiful spot for our next dinner.
If you are on our email list, you will be the first to know. The email sign up form can be found at the bottom of any page on our website.
HI,
Looking for info on the additional dinners in the series. I see on this page only the Avocado Ranch dinner. Will tickets become available for the rest of them or was it one ticket for the series and that is what is sold out? Thank you
We are working on securing a location for the next dinner. Unfortunately, the original location planned for our second dinner had some issues. So, we are actively looking for another beautiful spot for our next dinner.
Tickets for the second dinner will be available when we announce the location on our Dinner Series web page. If you are on our email list, you will be the first to know. The email sign up form can be found at the bottom of any page on our website.