Chefs Host “Dinner under the Stars” in fields of Springdale Farms

For Immediate Release
July 2009

Cherry Hill, NJ... It’s about atmosphere. It’s about food. It’s about farms. And now, five South Jersey chefs are bringing their culinary talents to bear on a new kind of farm fresh dinner... this one to be held in the fields of Cherry Hill’s only remaining farm.

On Tuesday, July 28th at 6:00 pm, foodies will gather to enjoy what Chef Joe Palombo of Mirabella Café calls “a gourmet feast unlike anything they’ve tasted before” in the corn fields of Springdale Farms. Only 100 seats are available and if preliminary talk is any indication, the dinner will fill up quickly. Tickets are $95.00/person and the price includes meal, beverages, tax and gratuity. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Camden Children’s Garden which is encouraging the establishment of community gardens as part of their campaign to teach children about nutrition.

Chef Mark Smith of Collngswood’s Tortilla Press explains why Springdale was chosen. “The farm is representative for us – Springdale has been host to a variety of special agricultural projects, like the development of the Rutgers ramapo tomato. As a family owned farm we know these fields are planted with love and harvested with care. It’s hard to beat that taste and flavor combination.” Smith has held cooking demonstrations at the farm and has invited farm co-owner John Ebert to The Tortilla Press for several “farm fresh dinners” on many occasions. “It’s always a treat to my guests to be able to talk to the farmer who grew many of the products they’re eating.” he said. Chef Jim Malaby whose Mullica Hill restaurant, blueplate, is famous for its tomato and asparagus dinners, agrees. “This is the next logical step for independent restaurants in this area committed to solidifying that bond between us and the farms.”

The five course meal will be prepared by the members of SJ Culinary Events: Chef Joe Palombo (Mirabella Café, Cherry Hill), Chef Rich Marsh (Andreotti’s Café, Cherry Hill), Chef Alex Capasso (Blackbird, Collingswood), Chef Mark Smith (The Tortilla Press, Collingswood) and Chef Jim Malaby (blueplate, Mullica Hill).

For reservations and information contact Lydia Cipriani at 856-979-3333 or email info@sjculinaryevents.com

MENU

Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Featuring food made by
Chef Joe Palombo (Mirabella Café)
Chef Rich Marsh (Andreotti’s Café),
Chef Alex Capasso (Blackbird),
Chef Jim Malaby (blueplate)
and Chef Mark Smith (The Tortilla Press)

Hors d’eouves begin at 6:30
“Dine in the cornfields of Springdale Farms”

Hors d’ oeuvres
Phyllo triangles stuffed with diced assortment of Springdale sweet peppers,
zucchini, yellow squash and manchego cheese
Eggplant beignets with Springdale’s fresh eggplant
Sweet corn mini empanada
Brushetta with Springdale ramapo tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella
Scallop ceviche
Dates stuffed with andouille sausage & wrapped in bacon

Salad
Fresh grilled Schroeber Orchard peaches with butter poached lobster, Springdale Farms fresh lettuces and herbs, farm raised New Jersey honey and lavender essence

Pasta
Angelotti pasta stuffed with Springdale Farms fresh spinach and goat cheese.
Garnished with Springdale fresh corn, ramapo tomatoes, fennel, cilantro, brown butter

Entrée
Pan roasted Free Range chicken breast, crispy leg confit,
Springdale Farms eggplant provencal risotto, jus de poulet.

Dessert
Springdale Farms fresh berries and Tellagio cheese in a flaky tart shell.
Topped with mascarpone gelato and drizzled with Valenzano Farms Red Wine syrup

$95/person (includes sales tax and gratuity). Please feel free to BYO!