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Com-
munity Table

An edible conversation between a farm, a chef, and the community.

We are delighted to welcome Community Table back for the 2023 Spring Series. This beloved event brings a renowned chef to our farm to design an ecological meal around our four seasonal rotations (market garden, milpa, fruit forest, cover crops). By bringing these culinary artists back to the source, we give them an opportunity to connect with new ingredients, find fresh inspiration in our bioregion’s historic foodways, and discover the rewards of relationship with the land.

 

Join us for an intimate, family-style feast featuring thoughtful courses crafted from ingredients grown on our 28-acre Regenerative Organic Certified™ farm.

With a guest list capped at just 72 people, this intimate gathering is designed to provide an authentic taste of the farm.

Book Your Tickets Below!
For those interested in purchasing tickets by the table,
visit our SHOP page to learn more.

Community Table with Chef Michael Campbell

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

Chef Campbell uses The Ecology Center’s local seasonal produce to craft sublimely simple dishes that showcase unforgettable character and soul. Gather on the farm for a fireside dinner with Chef Michael Campbell.

Community Table with Chef Sabrina Nyswonger

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

Chef Sabrina combines her Mexican, Cuban and Italian background with her extensive travels in Europe and Asia to offer a truly original take on local, seasonal organic produce. Join us for an edible conversation with Chef Sabrina Nyswonger.

Community Table with Chef David Serus of Montage Laguna Beach

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

“At a very young age, I was exposed to locally sourced ingredients in my parent’s backyard garden, watching how my family used them to create simple but unforgettable dishes." Join us for a special evening with Chef David Serus.

Sold Out $160.00

Community Table with Chef Davin Waite of The Plot

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

“A good chef wants to put the best possible ingredient on the plate for their guest, and nothing is better than seasonal local regenerative organic. It’s grown properly, it’s traveling less distance, and it’s more fun!” Gather on the farm for a fireside dinner with Chef Davin Waite.

Community Table with Chef Adam Hiner

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

Chef Adam is a part of the founding team of Boochcraft, Southern California’s first high-alcohol kombucha brewery. Most recently, Chef Adam launched Pacha Bakery offering fermented, organic gluten-free bread. Join us for a special evening with Chef Adam Heiner.

Community Table with Chef Doug Settle

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

After nearly a decade in the industry he decided this career path was one he could use to change to make a difference in the world. Join us for a special evening with Chef Doug Settle.

Community Table with Chef Willie Eick of Matsu

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

With Matsu, William aims to showcase the roots of his culinary career and passion for Japanese flavors and techniques, in a progressively modern setting. Gather on the farm for a fireside dinner with Chef William Eick.

Community Table with Chef Drew Bent of Papalo

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

Inspired by Chef Bent’s deep history in the realm of barbeque, his special Community Table dinner will fuse delicious Sonoran Mexican barbecue with Southern California inspired cuisine. Join us for an edible conversation with Chef Drew Bent.

Community Table with Chef Brian Bornemann of Crudo e Nudo

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

Chef Brian leads the kitchen at Santa Monica’s sustainable seafood market and low-intervention wine shop, Crudo e Nudo, where his extensive background in Italian, Mediterranean, and California cuisine highlight the highest quality local seafood and market vegetables. Gather on the farm for a fireside dinner with Chef Brian Bornemann.

Community Table with Chef Flor Franco

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

Born into the epicurean tradition of Veracruz, Mexico, Chef Flor Franco was raised amongst farmers and cooks in a region rich in centuries-old culinary knowledge. Join us for an edible conversation with Chef Flor Franco.

Community Table with Rich Mead & Dan Mattern of Farmhouse

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

Driven by his passion for bringing farmers and foodies together in celebration of the land that nourishes us, Chef Rich Mead’s exuberance and integrity have made him a favorite collaborator here at The Ecology Center since the beginning. Join us for a decadent evening with Chef Rich Mead and Chef Dan Mattern.

Community Table with Chef Jorge Valines

The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz Street, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

Chef Valines draws inspiration from the region’s citrus groves, rocky coast, and leisurely culture to bring farm-to-table cuisine back to its roots. Join us for a special evening with Chef Jorge Valines.

Thanks To Our Sponsors

The Community Table

accord

Principles of a Regenerative Food System

Our Community Table dinner series began with the development of the Community Table Accord–a set of principles developed by chefs and leaders of the regenerative food movement to promote sustainability throughout all aspects of sourcing, preparing, and eating food. At The Ecology Center, we believe that everyday, simple solutions create big change in our communities. Together, we are building a healthy, vibrant future designed around the understanding that we are a part of nature.

The Community Table Accord is an effort to mainstream sustainability in the global farm-to-table community. Shaped, practiced, and shared by our found chefs, the Community Table Accord advances the conversation at the dinner table. By living and eating in accordance with these principles, each one of us contributes to a more abundant future.

eat fresh + seasonal

Choose local produce that’s in season

Buy local

Support a dynamic local economy

Choose Organic

Remove contaminants and toxins from our food supply

Choose Organic

Remove contaminants and toxins from our food supply

Respect Animals

Only eat animals raised with intention and respect

Grow your own

Participate in the act of growing food

Celebrate diversity

Cultivate and consume a diverse variety of foods

Promote Polycultures

Make farms regenerative ecosystems

Nourish All Children

Give children everywhere access to delicious, healthy food

Educate for Change

Empower positive change through personal and collective activism

Celebrate the harvest

Take time to celebrate, recognize, and inspire your community