Do This: Benefit at Vie for The Land Connection

By Anthony Todd in Food on Sep 19, 2011 3:40PM

Tomorrow night, a star-studded cast of Chicago chefs, authors and activists are coming together at Vie for a dinner to benefit The Land Connection. TLC is a nonprofit that trains farmers, funds farmland preservation and works to increase America's local food production. It's perfectly fitting that the benefit dinner is at Vie, Paul Virant's locally-inspired Michelin-acclaimed restaurant.

The chefs for the evening include Nicole Pederson (C-House), Dennis Stover (Big Star), Chris Pandel (Bristol), Jared Van Kamp (Old Time Social) and Elissa Narow (Vie and Perennial Virant). Jennifer Olvera, author of The Food Lovers Guide to Chicago, will be in attendance, and each paying couple will receive a signed copy of the book.

Tickets for the 6-course meal are $80 each, $110 with wine pairings. Considering the caliber of the chefs involved, not a bad deal. The menu (subject to change) is below. Buy tickets by calling Vie at (708) 246-2082

Menu
first: smoked rushing waters trout rillettes, pickled Vidalia onions, Werp farm greens, radish water, and semolina cracker - Nicole Pederson, C-House

second: pan seared barramundi, roasted tomatoes, fennel, chile pastor, chicharron, cilantro - Dennis Stover, Big Star

third: prairie fruits farm goat cheese raviolini, pistachio, honey, brown butter - Chris Pandel, The Bristol and Balena

fourth: caveny farm bourbon red turkey meatball and braised leg and thigh combo, corn and guanciale ragout, pickled green beans, sage gremolata - Nathan Sears, Vie

fifth: grilled mint creek lamb shoulder with a salad of fregola, heirloom tomatoes, mint, almonds and pickled espelette peppers - Jared Van Kamp, Old Town Social and Nellcôte

sixth: frozen peach parfait, almond financier, warm white peach compote, spiced almond brittle - Elissa Narow, Vie and Perennial Virant