Preparing for the dinner. From left to right: Tom Zippelli, Beau Vestal, Oliver Crawford (behind), Doug Higley
Last Thursday evening, on a gorgeous summer night in Westport, Massachusetts, I had the joy of photographing New Rivers‘ Executive Chef Beau Vestal and his team as they prepared a dinner outdoors in a vineyard for 160 guests. This was the second year Vestal was invited to be part of the Outstanding in the Field tour (photos from last year can be seen here). The diners in Westport were treated to truly a bounty of Rhode Island and Massachusetts food and drink.
The produce, meat, seafood and dairy came from a number of local sources, including: Eva’s Garden in Dartmouth, Plum Point Oysters in North Kingstown, ‘Round the Bend Farm in South Dartmouth, Four Town Farm in Seekonk, Steve Ramos Organic Produce in Bristol, Narragansett Creamery in Providence, Barden Family Orchard in North Scituate, Schartner Farms in Exeter, The Good Earth Gardening Center in Cranston, Big Train Farm in Cranston, Yacht Club Bottling Works in North Providence and North Star Farm in Westport.
The beer was provided by local “gypsy” brewers Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project and the wine was all locally grown as well, produced by Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery where the dinner was held. Ultimately, from this invited observer’s point of view, it was a perfectly picturesque evening as you can see from this sampling of the many photos that were made.
Grilling Plum Point Oysters and 'Round the Bend Farm pork & wild foraged pine sausage
'Round the Bend Farm pork & wild foraged pine sausage
Grilled Plum Point Oyster with a lemon and summer savory butter
Outstanding in the Field table is set along the Westport Rivers grape vineyard
Elizabeth LaMantia grilling 'Round the Bend Farm Tamworth pork loins
Seasoning the grilled squash
Slicing heirloom tomatoes
Heirloom tomatoes
Slicing heirloom tomatoes
The guests are seated for dinner
Smoked Rhody bluefish pâté, grilled garlic country bread, fried shallots and Eva's Garden flowers
Cool salad of RI grains & Eva's Garden herbs and purslane with Narragansett Creamery yogurt tzatiki
Heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, onions & Narragansett Creamy Salty Sea Feta
'Round the Bend Farm Tamworth pork loin, grilled and sliced
Vestal demonstrates how the meat course comes together
'Round the Bend Farm Tamworth pork loin, grilled squash & torpedo onion, tomatillo & charred corn chow chow
A section of the table from the vineyard looking west
Guests through the grapes
Blueberry
Plating tarragon & lavender shortcakes with lemon curd & Barden Orchard peaches
Back row (from left to right): Elizabeth LaMantia, Beau Vestal, Tom Zippelli, Oliver Crawford. Front row (from left to right): Christian Morales, Matt Blanchette, Doug Higley, Walter Aldana
Outstanding in the Field
Elizabeth LaMantia & Beau Vestal catching a bite to eat at the end of the night
