Writer Grace Hill

 
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]magine a rustic burlap table runner stretching across a long wooden farm table. Mismatched wine glasses have been left at each place setting. An arrangement of garden flowers sits in the heart of the table and becomes a continuation of the surrounding natural beauty. A delicious aroma of a home-cooked meal made from fresh ingredients lingers in the air. It’s truly a picturesque scene, and one not often found in urban settings.

Yet The Simple Farm and Kitchen West Restaurant will offer exactly that kind of down-to-earth dining experience during their Farm to Kitchen West Supper Series.

Beginning at 6 p.m., each supper in the series starts with a casual meet-and-greet with fellow diners. Then a three-course, communal-style meal, made from local, fresh ingredients grown at The Simple Farm, follows at 6:30 p.m. Each item served will be excellently prepared by Kitchen West’s executive chef, Rick Dupere.

“The menus were all created with Lylah telling me what crops she will have in season,” says Dupere. “Maybe a few surprises. The majority of [the dinner] is family style for sharing and interacting. Cooking everything while not wasting any juices or flavor.”

The next dinner at The Simple Farm, titled “Hashknife Night Celebrating the Pony Express Campfire Chuck Wagon Cooking,” will occur on November 18. The meal will include an appetizer of kohlrabi arugula salad and pomegranate and Arizona apple. Then comes the main course of The Simple Farm okra chili verde, fennel butter tortilla, chimichurri carved hanger roast, smoked brisket potato hash and glazed cumin seed carrots. The meal will conclude with a blueberry slump dessert. In addition, a perfectly selected Arizona wine will complement the seasonal food.

As guests enjoy their meal, Lylah and Michael Ledner, owners of The Simple Farm, will join Dupere to discuss local, organic farm produce and quality cooking.

Evenings at The Simple Farm become a complete farm experience as a tour occurs during the course of the night. Guests are encouraged to wear appropriate farm attire — especially comfortable walking shoes — as there will also be time to meet the adorable Nubian dairy goats who call the farm their home. The Simple Farm dinners are scheduled for November 18, January 27, March 24 and May 19.

On December 16, February 24 and April 28, the supper series will take place at the Kitchen West Restaurant, which is located at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch. Guests can still expect the same rustic dinner experience in the restaurant’s private room. Following the meal, a relaxing wine reception will commence on the adjacent patio.

With the purpose of creating an intimate, communal gathering, the event only allows for a maximum of 16 guests. Therefore, those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve a seat as soon as possible. Each meal in the series costs $75 per person (not including tax and gratuity).