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Due to our high volume of inquiries and our small number of staff, we thought we’d make things easier for everyone by providing a few answers to our guests’ commonly asked questions.

What to expect at an Outstanding in the Field dinner...
As guests arrive, they're welcomed by our team and enjoy a cool glass of wine. When everyone has congregated, we begin with a guided tour of the host farm. Tours generally run 30 to 45 minutes. Guests then sit down at our long table for a meal composed by the guest chef in our nomadic al fresco kitchen. Dinner is served family style (or farm style) with wines paired to each course. During the meal, the local producers who provided ingredients for the menu talk a bit about their respective crafts and diners are encouraged to ask questions.

Where are the dinners located?
The dinners always take place between the soil and the sky, near the source of the ingredients for your meal. This is generally a farm, on occasion a ranch, sea cave, winery or other locale.

What time does the event begin and how late do they go?
The dinners generally begin at around 4pm, wrapping up around sunset. As the days get shorter in the fall, the dinners last until candlelight is required. Length of each event is four to five hours, and guests often linger at-table well past sunset, reluctant to have the magical evening come to a close.

What is the price for the dinners and what is included in that price?
The price of the dinners range from $180 to $220 per person, which includes a five course meal with wine pairings, all gratuities, producer discussions, and a tour of the farm. Prices are determined based on location remoteness, the chef’s menu, producers’ needs, necessary staffing, and total size of the event.

What if it rains?
In the event of rain on the day of the event, we will arrange for tenting and/or an indoor location for the table. You will still receive a tour of the farm.

Is there a waitlist for sold out events?
Because dinner reservations are non-refundable, once a dinner is sold out, no additional seats will become available for the event.

Can you accommodate vegetarians/vegans at the dinner?
As the dinners showcase a variety of local food artisans, each course is very diverse, including an abundance of fresh produce interspersed with cheese, meat and fish. Everything is served family-style and vegetarians are accomodated quite easily, although a number of the dishes may contain dairy and/or eggs. Please let us know when making reservations if you are a strict vegan or vegetarian.

Will I be able to see a copy of the menu before I arrive at the dinner?
To allow our guest chefs the creativity and freedom to design the freshest and most seasonally appropriate dishes possible, we do not require them to design the menu in advance of the event. Each dinner is truly an adventure in food…we know you’ll love what your guest chef creates.

Is there a reduced ticket price for non-drinkers?
Yes, you receive a $10 reduction off the full ticket value. When making payment, you'll have to send a check rather than using a credit card, as the price cannot be adjusted in Paypal.

Can you accommodate children at the events?
We do not recommend that you bring children. With tours, speakers, and wine, this is an event geared at adults. However, we can accommodate children over the age of 12 for $10 off the ticket price and children under 12 for half the ticket price.

Does Outstanding in the Field host private events?
Yes! Please see our private events page. If you are interested in setting up a private event, please email us.

If the dinner details say “TBA” when will full details be posted?
Regarding locations, farms, and producer information, details will appear on the website as soon as we know them. If you have made reservations for an event that does not show complete details, rest assured that we will send all event information to you as soon as it is finalized.

How many people attend the events?
There is an average of about 130 people at each event.

How do I make a reservation?
Please go to our schedule & reservations page for details on making reservations.

When can I make a reservation?
You can make reservations as soon as the event is listed on the website.

Do you take reservations for larger parties?
Yes, we do, however, there is no assigned seating. If you do want to all fit together, arrive early to claim seats. We do encourage folks to mix it up at the table. Maybe you’ll get to sit next to the cheese maker!

How do I make payment once I’ve made a reservation?
Once your reservation and dinner details/price are confirmed, you will receive an email with detailed instructions for making payment. We accept personal checks and are able to process credit cards using Paypal with a 2.9% service charge added.

When will I receive directions to the farm and other important information about the event?
We send out invitations to our confirmed guests one week prior to the event. These will include directions to the farm, helpful hints on farm attire, information about the tradition of the plates, and all finalized dinner details.