Totally Local VC’s
Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series
Locally grown. Lovingly prepared. Unforgettably shared.
Ventura County’s iconic dinner series celebrating farm-fresh flavor and local pride.
Farm-to-Fork at its very best
Our 19th Annual Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series is back with a new lineup for 2025.
Since 2006, Totally Local VC’s Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series has been getting to the root of great taste. These one-of-a-kind evenings marry iconic Ventura County locations with top-line chefs, passionate purveyors, and standout local wineries and breweries—serving up seasonal menus crafted from the bounty that is Ventura County.
Every aspect of the night—from the delicious five-course meal and local libations to the live music, vibrant entertainment, and artful decor—is sourced locally. It’s a celebration of community, flavor, and the incredible richness of our region.
Please note: These dinners are for guests 21 and over. All tickets must be purchased in advance; no sales at the door.
Tickets Are Now Available for Our First 2025 Dinner!
Join us for an unforgettable night at McGrath Family Farms. Farm-fresh flavors, local libations, and a true taste of Ventura County.
Totally Local VC's 2025 Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series Schedule
Dinner at McGrath Family Farms
| Date: | Thursday, October 2, 2025 |
| Time: | 5:30 pm |
| Cost: | $175.00 per person |
| Chef: | Chef Tim Kilcoyne |
| Pastry Chef: | Chef Anastashia Chavez |
| Purveyors: | Big Cheeks Bakery, Tehachapi Heritage Grain Project, Frecker Farms, Five Points Meat Market, Ocean Pride Seafood, McGrath Family Farm, Baby Root Farm, Farmivore, AZ-Ranch, Petty Ranch, Wicked Wire Ranch |
| Beverages: | Wine – Cantara Cellars; Beer – Flat Fish Brewing; 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.
There’s a special kind of magic in the air when autumn arrives in Ventura County. As the sun dips behind the horizon and golden light washes over rows of ripening crops and pumpkins on the vine, we invite you to celebrate the season’s bounty at one of the region’s most iconic and beloved farms — McGrath Family Farms.
This unique evening under the stars is more than just a meal — it’s a celebration of Ventura County’s agricultural roots, community spirit, and the deep connection between land, farmer, chef, and guest.
The dinner is hosted by the McGrath family—fifth-generation farmers and passionate stewards of the land—alongside their partners Carranza Family Farms, Baby Root Regenerative Farm, the Rodale California Organic Center, and the Farmivore Food Hub. Guests will enjoy the rare opportunity to dine in the very fields where their food is grown. As you stroll the grounds and take in the colors of the season, you’ll hear stories of the land, the families who tend it, and the future of regenerative farming in our region.
The evening’s menu will be thoughtfully crafted by Chef Tim Kilcoyne, a founding figure in Ventura’s farm-to-fork movement. Known for his dedication to locally sourced ingredients and seasonal flavors, Chef Tim will curate a multi-course, harvest-inspired meal featuring the freshest produce picked straight from the farm. Each course will be paired with carefully selected wines and brews from some of Ventura County’s most talented vintners and craft brewers, elevating every bite with the true taste of the region.
Guests will gather around communal tables nestled between fields and greenhouses, illuminated by string lights and the soft glow of fall. With live acoustic music setting the mood, the evening promises great conversation, unforgettable food, and a renewed appreciation for the farmers and food artisans who make Ventura County so special.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of the local food movement or just beginning to explore the idea of “knowing your farmer,” this is an evening not to miss.
Tickets are limited — reserve your seat at the table and experience the true flavors of Ventura County, rooted in tradition, community, and love of the land.
These wonderful photos just scratch the surface of the joyful experience shared by our guests at Totally Local VC’s Dinner at McGrath Family Farm in October 2025.
Photo credits. Overhead photos: Mike Love, all other photos: Viktor Budnik
Dinners That Give Back
Our Dinners raise funds for the Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation and our Agricultural Scholarship Fund. For some of the dinners, we partner with local charities. The dinners provide a very unique educational opportunity for Ventura County culinary and agriculture students. At each of the dinners, students are hands-on with event coordination, catering, logistics as well as working side by side with our chefs, farmers and servers.
Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation is a 501(c)3) not-for-profit organization.
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.
Our Sponsors Making All This Happen
Show some love to the amazing sponsors who help bring our Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series to life — supporting local farms, chefs, and unforgettable evenings under the stars.
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.
