Every year we honor our Garden Circle Members with a special Farm to Table event under the stars and amid the Garden’s beautiful lush landscape. We weren’t able to have the same experience this year due to the pandemic, but our special events team put their creative spin on the evening to create a night our Members won’t soon forget with our first-ever Farm to Table To-Go.
Guests drove into the Garden’s parking lot to check in with staff while a saxophonist and DJ from Second Song played music alongside their vehicles. As they drove through the “car parade” guests met with our executive team, CEO Adrienne Nakashima and Chief Development Officer Danielle Brown, while remaining in the safety of their car. They then drove up to receive their gourmet farm-to-table dinner created by Chef Benjamin Seto from Domenico’s Foods, which was boxed and ready to be devoured once they returned home. Before they left, guests could pop out of their car to get their photo taken alongside a beautiful tablescape that helped set the tone for the rest of the evening.
Once home, guests were able to prepare their dinner and log into Zoom where we had presentations from the Garden’s CEO, the chef, a beer tasting by Smog City Co. (guests were provided the beer along with their dinners) and a special keynote from New York Times best-selling author Amy Stewart, who spoke about her book “Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities.”
Garden staff worked tirelessly to ensure the event went off without a hitch and presented a fun, unique way to celebrate our Garden Circle Members while keeping them and our staff safe. Photos of the event can be seen below! And a special thank you to our vendors who made it possible!
All photos by Anthony Bibian
Second Song provided a DJ and saxophonist to entertain Members as they came through the Garden.
The Garden’s Director of Special Events, Christina Cruz, puts a Farm to Table To-Go crate into the back of a Member’s vehicle.
Our Farm to Table To-Go crates included food created by Benjamin Seto from Domenicos Foods and beer from Smog City Co.
Guests were able to hop out of their car for a quick photo by Monique Gill from Social Affairs along our beautiful Farm to Table To-Go table.
The Garden’s Christina Cruz designed a beautiful table with the help of Bright Events for guests to see as they drove by to pick up their to-go crates.
No details were left undone!
Some Garden Circle Members dressed up for the occasion.
Others came prepared to experience the music and fresh air.
Smog City Co. provided all Farm to Table To-Go guests beer and hosted a beer tasting via Zoom later in the evening.
New York Times best-selling author Amy Stewart did a virtual presentation on her book “Wicked Plants.”
Want to participate in our Farm to Table event in 2021? Become a Garden Circle Member today!
