August 8, 2026
On August 4, Outstanding in the Field set a table in the fields at Elawa Farm in Lake Forest, Illinois. Host farmers Laura Calvert and Sam Cline opened the working farm for the night.
Guest chef John Manion of Brasero and El Che brought his South American, fire-driven cooking to the menu. Chimichurri ran through nearly every course, from beef tartare to smoked pork loin with feijoada black beans, built around vegetables grown on the farm.
When the food is the whole reason people bought a ticket, the fuel matters. We were glad to be part of it.
Good Food Deserves Good Charcoal.
Credit:
Host farmers: Laura Calvert and Sam Cline, Elawa Farm, Lake Forest, IL
Guest chef: John Manion, Brasero and El Che, Chicago, IL
Winery: Clos du Val, Napa Valley, CA
Brewery: Pilot Project Brewing, Chicago, IL
Water: Mountain Valley Spring Water, Hot Springs, AR
Photos: @agardenofsorts_
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