The GOODS from Farmer’s Apprentice

Vancouver, BC | Renowned locavore chef David Gunawan and his team at Farmer’s Apprentice are pitching in to help a nearby farm and supplier to the farm-to-table restaurant, Shalefield Organic Gardens, raise the funds to rebuild damages incurred from the February blizzard by hosting a benefit dinner on Monday, May 1.

Gunawan is donating 75 per cent of the proceeds from the evening — which features seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and a menu comprising ingredients sourced primarily from Shalefield — to farm owners Brian Patterson and Yolanda Versterre as they work to get things growing for the 2017 summer season and beyond.

It was during the February onslaught of snow that one of the greenhouses on the 10-acre farm was completely destroyed when heavy snow collapsed the 30’x100’ structure that housed winter crops such as endives, kale, swiss chard and radicchio. The roof on a second greenhouse was also severely damaged during the storm that dumped upwards of 90 cm of snow on the Columbia Valley. All told, the rebuild and repairs could end up costing the farm more than $30,000, not to mention the crops lost to the collapse.

“Supporting Shalefield with this dinner was a no-brainer,” says Gunawan, who was named Chef of the Year at the 2016 edition of the annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. “We have had a long and fruitful relationship with Brian and Yolanda and have come to count on them for so much of our produce, so we wanted to return the favour and raise some money to help them rebuild and repair their greenhouses.”

Since it first opened its doors in 2013, the locavore-forward restaurant has nurtured a deep bond with Shalefield Organic Gardens and regularly procures a cornucopia of local ingredients from the farm — from raspberries and strawberries to kale, broccolini, parsnips, carrots and more — that Gunawan and his team at Farmer’s Apprentice and sister wine bar Grapes & Soda receive at their door on a daily basis. Shalefield is just one of 18 BC providers from which Gunawan sources ingredients that inform his signature brand of sustainable and 100-per-cent organic fare.

“It was a devastating loss and we spent a week digging out from that series of storms,” says Versterre. “When David told us he would be hosting this event, we couldn’t believe it. We certainly didn’t expect it. He was one of the very first chefs that began buying produce from us years ago, and this just serves to underscore his philosophy of always supporting local, organic and biodynamic farms in his own backyard. We can’t begin to express how grateful we are that he is choosing to give back in this way.”

SHALEFIELD ORGANIC GARDENS
BENEFIT DINNER MENU

Sorrel Gazpacho, Frozen Sorrel, Yogurt

Asparagus, Pine Hollandaise

Slaw of Kohlrabi, Smoked Cod, Lemon, Tarragon

Red Fife and Einkorn Sourdough, Caramelized Onion Butter

Halibut, Endive, Lemongrass, Mussel Broth

Shiitake Mushrooms, Dandelion, Canadian Quinoa

Rhubarb, Elderflower, Yogurt

TICKETS | Tickets are available at farmersapprenticexshalefield.eventbrite.ca for $99 per person plus tax and gratuity and include a multi-course menu with wine and beverage pairings. For more information about Farmer’s Apprentice, go to www.farmersapprentice.ca. To make a reservation for dinner call 604-620-2070 or book online.

DETAILS

1529 West 6th | Vancouver, BC
Telephone: 604-620-2070 | Email: info [at] farmersapprentice.ca
Web: www.farmersapprentice.ca | Instagram | Facebook
Brunch | Saturday + Sundays | 11:00 am – 2 pm
Lunch | Tuesday thru Friday | 11:00 am – 2 pm
Dinner | Nightly | 5:30 – 10:00 pm

GALLERY

THE PEOPLE

ABOUT FARMER’S APPRENTICE

Our intention is to serve unique food and wine in a comfortable setting accessible to everyone. We would like to welcome everybody with our passion and sincerity. We invite you to join us whether it is for a cup of coffee, glass of wine, snack, a quick lunch or even to pamper yourself with our 3-5 courses daily created inspirations for dinner. Its simple; we have something for everyone….