Nov. 10 event features farm-fresh food, displays, demos, live music, dancing

CRESTVIEW, Fla., Oct. 31, 2023—Crestview is hosting a Farm to Table Gala Dinner Nov. 10 at the Crestview Community Center to benefit the Crestview Area Sister City Program and its student ambassador Club.

When folks sit down to eat the gala dinner, they’ll be tucking into the freshest meal in town. That’s because the food will come straight from north Okaloosa County farms to the tables in the community center.

The meal will be prepared by several of the region and state’s top chefs.

As part of the day’s events, free public displays and demonstrations by area farmers, the local 4H club, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Okaloosa County Extension office, the Farm Bureau and more will fill the community center.

A student art show with winners of a contest depicting the theme “Celebrating Our Farmers and the Food They Grow” will be announced at 5 p.m.

Antique tractors and modern farm equipment will be on display inside and outside the community center throughout the day.

Live big band music by Hashtag Swing performs following the meal.

Mary Richard, the event’s organizer, assembled a team built around area farmers who will supply fresh meats and seasonal produce.

“It’s going to be a spectacular evening,” Richard said. “The menu is just incredible, and our guest chefs are going to be doing marvelous things with fresh local meat and produce.”

Guest chefs include pitmaster Darryl Williams of Pop Pop Barbecue and Southern Foods and TV Chef Sherri Williams (no relation to Darryl), Crestview High School culinary arts teacher Chef Chuck Tingle who will join Richard in preparing the meal. She expects Florida State Chef Justin Timineri to join the lineup of kitchen masters.

Farm to Table is more than just a showcase of local agriculture, tools of the trade and a fabulous culinary event.

As a fundraiser for the Crestview Area Sister City Program, a silent auction during the evening features an array of gifts including a Fresh Market wine and food basket; framed, autographed prints featuring Operation Desert Storm and the Blue Angels; and a framed original film poster for the comedy, “Wedding Crashers,” autographed by Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn.

Tickets for the evening for $45 per person or $80 per couple are available at the Bush House/ Crestview History Museum, 198 South Wilson St., or online at https://bit.ly/469ZkOq. Dress is semi-formal.

Ticket sales benefit the non-profit Crestview Area Sister City Program and its student Ambassador club.

Brian Hughes, Crestview cultural services specialist