"The Earth Dinner": Earth Day's Own Holiday Meal

By Megan Tempest in Food on Apr 20, 2010 3:20PM

If an outdoor festival with face-painting and former members of the Grateful Dead doesn't excite you, Earth Dinner may be just what you’re looking for to commemorate Earth Day 2010. This week through April 24th, several local restaurants are serving special Earth Dinner menus to reconnect us with our food and where it comes from.

A joint effort with Organic Valley Family Farms, the proceeds of Earth Dinner will benefit Chefs Collaborative and its continued educational programming for chefs. “It’s great to be part of a national initiative like this that promotes my philosophy as a chef,” says Chef Paul Virant of Vie Restaurant. Virant will offer a special Earth Dinner prix-fixe menu featuring regional favorites like local ramps and wood-grilled rainbow trout.

Chefs Collaborative is a leading network of chefs and members of the culinary community that are committed to sourcing and cooking with local, sustainable ingredients. They publicly advocate for sustainable food in the culinary community, provide chefs with the tools to make sustainable purchasing decisions, and connect chefs and sustainable food producers.

Restaurant contributions up to a total of $10,000 will be matched by Organic Valley Farms. “Earth Dinners highlight the commitment to sourcing ingredients responsibly and talent of our member chefs. The dinners also educate the public about the importance of eating food that is locally grown, in season, and sustainable,” says Melissa Kogut, Executive Director of Chefs Collaborative. “We’re extremely grateful for the generous participation of our members and the support of Organic Valley.”

A list of local participants is after the jump.

City Provisions
Chicago, IL
April 20, 2010 at 6:30 PM
(RSVP only)
Call 773-293-2489

Heritage Prairie Farm
Elburn, IL
April 23, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Call 630-443-8253

SugarToad
Naperville, IL
April 22, 2010 from 5:30-10:00 PM
Call 630-778-TOAD

Uncommon Ground
*Clark Street and Wrigleyville Locations
Chicago, IL
April 18-April 24, 2010
Edgewater Location: 773-465-9801
Wrigleyville Location:773-929-3680

VIE
Western Springs, IL
April 19, 21, & 22, 2010 from 5:00-9:00 PM
Call 708-246-2082