Del Mar CA— Leave all of the Fairtime fury and fast food behind for one night at the 2017 San Diego County Fair and join less than 100 people for a six-course gourmet dining experience on July 1, in the Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show, featuring locally farmed food, paired with award-winning wine and beer from the Fair’s beverage competitions. Go to sdfair.com/events for more information.
Sharing local agriculture has been the purpose of regional fairs throughout history. In this case, six regional farms each will be featured within one course of the meal, the menu prepared by Executive Chef Barry Schneider and the Premier Culinary Team, a partner of the Del Mar Fairgrounds. MC Maurice DiMarino, wine and beverage manager for San Diego’s Cohen Restaurant Group will present the last three courses with each farmer and the chef, offering a story of how the food made it from the farm to the table and how it was prepared and paired with medal-winning beer and wine. Farm-fresh flowers will be provided by Fox Point Farms and upcycled locally handcrafted platters and glassware will be provided by Bottles and Wood.
Tickets are $135/person and include Fair admission, preferred parking and a bag of goodies including items from the farmers and businesses supporting local agriculture. The event is from 4:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 1, beginning with a reception featuring live music.

Featured dinner menu:

Chef’s Welcome Station

From Temecula Olive Oil Company: Chunky Olive Dip & Assorted Olives, Housemade Chicken Liver Paté, California Cheeses, Bread & Cie Artisan Baguettes.

Grazing Station #1

From Connelly Gardens, Ramona: Rond de Nice Organic Squash, Crispy Parmesan & Meyer Lemon Ricotta Stuffed Blossoms, Herb Roasted Tomatoes, Tarragon Aioli.

Grazing Station #2

From Pacific Shellfish, Pacific Beach: Local Bluefin Tuna “Aguachile” Tostadita, Avocado Mousse.
From Go Green, Encinitas: Hydroponic Watercress.

Seated Family- Style Dinner– with artisan bread

From De La Ranch, Lake Elsinore: Ras el Hanout Spiced Da Le Ranch Duck Breast, Confit Legs & Cracklings, Charred Eggplant, Grilled Nectarines, Couscous, Plum Sauce.
From Brandt Beef, Brawley: “Tongue in Cheek” All-Natural Braised Beef Tongue & Beef Cheeks, Smoked Weiser Farms Gemstone Fingerling Potatoes, Pickled Bermuda Onions, Roasted Organic Carrots, Cabernet Jus.
Dessert From Sweet/Stehly Farms Organics, Valley Center: Organic Blackberry Tart, Meyer Lemon Curd, Kumquat Marmalade.

About the 2017 San Diego County Fair

Ride ‘em cowboys! “Where the West is Fun” is the theme for the 2017 San Diego County Fair, presented by Albertsons | Vons, remembering the rough and tumble Wild, Wild West and celebrating how the West is fun today. The 2017 Fair will feature a Wild West saloon, numerous Western-themed educational and historic exhibits and country music for everyone to enjoy. There is a new Sheriff in town and it is you! Pull on your boots, grab your cowboy hat, and ride on into Del Mar for some fun this summer. The Fair opens at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 2 and runs through Tuesday, July 4; it is closed the first four Mondays and the first three Tuesdays. The San Diego County Fair is the largest annual event in San Diego County and one of the top 10 Fairs in the United States and Canada, drawing more than 1.6 million visitors annually. For more information visit sdfair.com