Redefining Luxury Ingredients

On a hot June evening, Restaurant Constance was preparing for another evening of service, like always. Restaurant Constance is known for their menu that changes with what’s in season from local farms. This night brought not just farm produce, but also the farmers who grew it—a farmer dinner series that dives even deeper into local food systems.

This night featured Fair Share Farm of Pfafftown and Honey Tree Farm of Conover, two farms that Freshlist works closely with every week. Interestingly, all four of these farmers are first-generation farmers. Before each course, Chef Sam would ask some questions about farming and field questions from the diners. Within restaurant walls, it’s the most connected you can be to your food.

A main theme in these dishes was the comparison of traditional “luxury” ingredients like caviar and lobster with the farms’ ingredients like golden beets or pastured beef. It raised the question of what the true luxury ingredient was. What if we saw the beautifully vibrant golden beet, harvested just the day before, as the luxury ingredient? When you hear your farmer talk about the care that goes into the soil to make sure their crop is as healthy, tasty, and natural as possible, it can shift that perspective on “luxury.”

Watch the recap from the night to get an idea of how special a night like this is. Restaurant Constance still has two more of these dinners in July and August, so it’s not too late to experience it in person! If you want to try products from Fair Share Farm and Honey Tree Farm, head to the Freshlist shop and filter by farm.

Watch the recap below!