ref=”https://thinktasty1.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Fall-Harvest.png”>The third restaurant in our Harvest Dinner series is The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.  This “Meet the Farmers” Dinner will offer diners the opportunity to sample delicious dishes made from locally sourced foods and to meet the people who produced them, including local farmers, growers, and seafood purveyors.

The dinner will be held this evening, October 7th, at 6:30 p.m.  The evening will begin with a reception with the farmers.  During the reception passed hors d’oeuvres created by Chef de Cuisine of Café 4750, Garrett Gooch, will be served along with craft beer tastings.  The beer tastings are provided by Ben Davis, brewmaster of Intuition Brewery in Jacksonville.

Dinner will offer a variety of tempting foods.  This course will start with an appetizer bar that includes Mayport shrimp, smoked flounder, deep fried soft shell crab, local cheeses, breads, and Florida honey.  The meal will continue with Atlantic white shrimp in different presentations, Trigger fish, two selections of Florida beef, farm fresh vegetables, and house-made pasta.  For those interested, beer and wine pairings will be recommended.

To complete this evening of dining there will be several dessert options.  Prepared by Executive Pastry Chef Sheldon Millett, there will be a trio of sweets:  apple cinnamon beignets, chocolate mousse, and vanilla beer floats.

Prior to this event, Chef Gooch was able to visit some of the farms.  He noted, “The culinary team toured the fields and greenhouses to see the crops and learn about their farms and growing techniques. The pride, care and hard work that goes into Florida family farming is inspiring.”

The combination of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, talented chefs, and fabulous atmosphere will make this an event not to be missed.