Recipe for the Perfect Day
1 helping of Gourmet Farm to Table Food
6 Fabulous Tastings of Local and Italian Wines
1 Live Bluegrass Band
80 Amazing Buffalonians
1 Organic Farm
Mix all of these ingredients with perfect weather and serve on a farm
Aroma Restaurants, has been participating in world-class vine to table events at Oles Farm for eight years, and if you’ve never experienced this culinary celebration, then you’re truly missing out on a WNY treasure.
I had the privilege of joining fellow Buffalonians on a trip to the farm where we were greeted by the Oles family and Dave Cosentino (pictured to the right). Cosentino’s passion for farm to table food can be experienced at his Aroma Restaurants, where he was a forerunner in the movement back in the day. After talking with Cosentino, I meandered over to the party tent area where hors d’oeuvres were being served. Confession – I am a pescetarian, but decided to go with the flow and eat meat yesterday – and I am so happy to have made that decision. The lamb for these events is provided by Stillwater Farm in the Boston Hills, which is a family owned operation that treats their animals with the utmost in kindness and respect.
The weather was absolutely perfect as guests gleefully roamed the fields, filling their baskets with fresh produce to take home. I got to learn the many different techniques they use in their organic farming approach. Picking veggies was such a delightful part of the day as it was reminiscent of growing up on my grandparents’ farm in Colden, NY. Ben Oles, the third generation family member to work the farm, gave us a fabulous tour.
Bluegrass music filled the air as it was time to eat. The menus were placed in front of us on tables lined with white linen and beautiful floral arrangements. Each course of the meal was served with great care and attentiveness.
The food was even more spectacular than I imagined it would be. In all honesty, this event was better than any $500 a plate fundraiser I have ever attended in the Hamptons!
Rediscovering Buffalo this summer has been a full on love affair for me, with each new treasure I’ve experienced better than the last. This particular field trip was the icing on the cake. I can’t wait to do this again next year. I highly suggest that you do the same!