The Village Feast returns

Diners at the 2018 Village Feast sit at long tables under the sycamore trees at Davis’ Central Park. Ashley Muir Bruin/Courtesy photo

Prepare to dine al fresco at Central Park on Sept. 28

By Wendy Weitzel

The acclaimed Village Feast returns to Davis on Saturday, Sept. 28, with discount tickets available through July 31.

The event, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Central Park, 401 C St., Davis, is presented by Davis Farm to School and the Les Dames d’Escoffier International, Sacramento. The event celebrates September Farm to Table month in the Sacramento region.

The Village Feast follows Le Grand Aïoli tradition of late-summer feasts of Provence, France, where aïoli — golden garlic-mayonnaise — unites people and food for a gastronomic celebration. Guests bring their own best dinnerware, flatware and linen or cloth napkins, setting the scene for a long, leisurely meal under the shade of the sycamore trees. Wine glasses are provided.

The Sacramento region and Provence share a rich agricultural bounty and Mediterranean climate. All that is needed for a feast — olives and olive oil, vegetables, nuts, wines, lamb and more — is cultivated from local soil.

The luncheon, served family style, features local olives, nuts, tomatoes, olive oil, bread, eggs, leg of lamb, a vegan bean salad, grilled vegetables, potatoes, pear desserts and Chocolate Fish coffee. Tickets include red and white wines from Matchbook, Senders, Bogle, Berryessa Gap and Heringer Estates.

In a silent auction, guests will have the opportunity to bid on more than two dozen culinary experiences, eclectic adventures and artwork donated by the local culinary community, artists and local residents.

Les Dames d’Escoffier and Davis Farm to School paired up for this event because of their shared visions. Both are charitable, tax-exempt organizations working to support early and continued education around food and agriculture. Les Dames d’Escoffier, a philanthropic organization of female leaders in the food, fine beverage and hospitality, gives scholarships to women in food, wine and agriculture in the Sacramento region. Davis Farm to School gives garden grants, farm field trips and support for farm-fresh food in the private and public schools in the Davis area.

Early bird tickets are $95 each, or $750 for a table of eight. Starting Aug. 1, tickets are $115, or $880 for a table, which guarantees group seating; all other seating is first come, first served. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-village-feast-2019-tickets-59209184264 for tickets, and the Davis Farm to School website for additional details at https://www.davisfarmtoschool.org/.