New Saugatuck Restaurant Hosts Celebrity Chefs & Honors Local Morels at Spring Foraged Dinner

Morel mushrooms are the black truffle of the Midwest. They are one of Michigan’s most prized and fleeting culinary treasures. On May 5th and 6th, The Southerner, a new restaurant in Saugatuck, Michigan, will host a spring foods event with the region’s most noted foragers—Michelle and Andy Davis.

Michelle and Andy, experts in all things wild and edible, will team up with Southerner owners Katie Fris and Matthew Millar to offer a unique opportunity to eat through spring’s finest offerings, from field and forest. Millar, a two-time James Beard Award semi-finalist chef, is enlisting the help of some high profile friends to join him in the kitchen to prepare what Andy and Michelle forage.

The event begins on Tuesday, May 5th, when Andy, Michelle and the chefs will spend the day foraging for morels, ramps, violets, watercress and all manner of other wild foods in preparation for the next day’s meal. Event attendees are invited to join in the experience and learn proper foraging techniques from the Davis family and discuss with the chefs how to cook what is found.

On Wednesday, May 6th, the chefs will spend the day preparing an unparalleled seven-course feast showcasing the spring bounty, the first official meal to be served in the Southerner’s dining room. In addition to the spring edibles, the talented chefs will utilize the best produce, meats, cheeses and breads from the area’s best producers.

Local luminaries Matthew Pietsch of Salt Of The Earth and Matthew Green of Reserve Wine and Food will be joined by Joel Wabeke, chef de Cuisine of Wright & Co.—one of Detroit’s hottest new restaurants; James Rigato, head chef of The Root in White Lake and Top Chef Boston contestant; Chris Pandel, chef/owner of The Bristol, Balena, and Formento’s in Chicago; and Paul Virant, of Perennial Virant, Vistro & Vie in Chicago—a James Beard Award nominee and author of The Preservation Kitchen.

The Beervangelist, Fred Bueltmann, will assist with beer and spirits pairings, courtesy of New Holland Brewing Company.

The Southerner hopes to open to the public in early June for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 880 Holland Street in Saugatuck. As the name implies, the restaurant will focus on southern comfort foods, namely handmade fried chicken. Chef/owner Matthew Millar says it’s “a love letter to Appalachia,” where his mother’s family has roots and where his immediate family lives today.

“As a kid traveling to east Tennessee, I think I may have been even more excited by the food than the mountains,” he says. Owner Katie Fris adds that “sitting around a well-laid table, with the ones you love, is the foundation for living well.”

Tickets for this two-day culinary experience are $200 per person and space is limited to 40 people. For tickets, visit, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/morel-mushroom-dinner-tickets-16370951958

Like The Southerner on Facebook for for info and updates.

Five Top Chefs Team Up for Harvest Dinner - Benefitting Fair Food Matters, Kalamazoo

Five of the region’s top chefs will team up on Sunday, August 25 (6-8pm) for a Harvest Dinner at Carlson’s Farm in Lawton – a culinary experience benefitting Kalamazoo’s Fair Food Matters. The unique farm-side dinner is being coordinated by Food Dance, West Michigan’s premier locally-focused eatery.

Exectutive Chef Robb Hammond – who has been with Food Dance for five years – has invited four of his colleagues to join him in this one-of-a-kind, on-the-farm five-course dinner, celebrating the best of the season’s offerings. These chefs include the James Beard nominated Chef Matthew Millar from Fennville; Chef Matthew Pietsch of Salt of the Earth in Fennville, Chef Matt Green of Reserve Wine & Food in Grand Rapids; and Chef Chad Miller of Soe Café in Sawyer.

Food Dance has been a long time supporter and promoter of Fair Food Matters and its various initiatives. Dinners such as this support programs that protect the stewardship of our land and strengthen our local economy by educating the next generation about food and where it comes from.

Fair Food Matters exists to improve access to healthy, local food by educating, connecting and empowering the Kalamazoo community. It’s programs include the Can-Do Kitchen (a licensed incubator kitchen facility), Common Ground (a collaborative program supporting community gardens throughout Kalamazoo County), Growing Matters Garden (a children’s educational gardening project), Douglass Farmers’ Market (featuring local producers on the north side of town) and Southwest Michigan Community Harvest Fest (celebrating local food, local farming and sustainable living with speakers, music and more).

The cost for the Harvest Dinner, including entertainment by local musicians Paul Hoffman and Joshua Davis, is $75 per person (plus tax/gratuity). Space is limited to 100 and reservations are required by calling 269-382-1888.

Other upcoming dinners in the 2013 Farm to Fork series include:

KIRKLIN FARMS … HEIRLOOM TOMATO DINNER
Thurs., Sept. 5 • 6-8pm
Celebrate tomato season with a five-course tomato dinner featuring Kirklin Farms. Seem a bit over the top? Not when you consider the flavors and versatility of thousands of varieties of tomatoes. You’ll never think of them as just plain ol’ sliced fruit again. $55 per person

COOKING CLASS - PRESERVING THE HARVEST
Wed., Sept. 18 • 6-8pm
Useful Kitchen Skills, not just recipes! Come learn how to preserve the flavors of the harvest for months to come. In this class you will learn techniques of preserving food with modern flavors. $65 per person

3-DAIRY DINNER
Thurs., Oct. 17 • 6-8pm
October is National Cheese Month. Celebrate with us at this special dinner featuring three local artisan cheese makers. Chef Robb will create four courses with Evergreen Lane Creamery, Zingerman’s Creamery and another creamery, TBA. $55 per person

To make reservations for any of the Food Dance dinners, classes or events, call 269-382-1888.

Food Dance creates opportunities for people to come together and connect through the experience of food. We passionately cook with the freshest locally produced ingredients and believe in giving great, caring service, and providing great experiences for everyone we come in contact with.

FOOD DANCE
401 E. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo MI 49007

www.FoodDance.net
www.facebook.com/FoodDanceRestaurant
www.twitter.com/Food_Dance

Summer of Salt…10 Reasons to Visit Salt of the Earth in Fennville this Summer

Since opening in August 2009, Salt of the Earth (SotE) in downtown Fennville has become one of Michigan’s most popular farm-to-table eateries – serving up the finest locally-focused cuisine paired with regional craft beverages.

Under the direction of Executive Chef Matthew Pietsch (protégé of ‘Iron Chef’ Michael Symon), Salt of the Earth – a rustic American eatery and bakery – is located the heart of southwest Michigan farm and orchard country. A meal at the restaurant is an authentic dining experience, built from a foundation of fresh high quality seasonal ingredients from growers within a 50 radius of Allegan County. The staff specializes in from-scratch techniques to create dinner entrees, wood oven fired pizzas, creative soups, fresh salads, desserts and artisan breads.

“There’s a growing interest in the farm-to-table concept,” says Pietsch, who takes pride in the number of regional growers and producers who provide him with the freshest ingredients. “More and more guests are seeking to dine and drink local product, even going as far to choose these types of restaurants over others. That just reinforces our philosophy here at Salt of the Earth.”

A full-service bar proudly serves Michigan craft beers, hard ciders, spirits, and wines alongside other domestic and international products. Salt of the Earth is also a popular entertainment destination presenting the finest roots musicians on the scene at weekly house concerts.

Why should you add Salt of the Earth to your summer travel plans? Here are 10 reasons which are meant to entice you to explore (or revisit) this quaint foodie hotspot:

1. Chef’s Garden: Now in its second year, this 40x40 garden sits adjacent to the restaurant and is growing with heirloom tomatoes, peppers, herbs and other vegetables. During the summer, these edibles will find their way into the SotE kitchen and onto the menu for guests to savor.

2. Pork! Enough said? SotE isn’t shy about its love of pigs. Sourced from Creswick Farms in Ravena, the culinary team proudly prepares the tastiest crispy confit pork belly, whole hog wood fired pizza and cider braised pork shoulder. Pork even finds its way into the SotE house bacon bread and the bacon vinaigrette on the fried brussel sprouts, as well as being an add on option for the farmer’s greens salad and the local pasture-raised grassfed beef burger.

3. Michigan Beverages: Featuring one of the region’s most impressive selections of Michigan craft beer, cider, wine and spirits – as well as signature cocktails blended with locally-grown herbs. Settle in with a Grilled Lemonade, Fenn’s Mill Fizz or Freshwater Sour and enjoy! Not sure what to order to pair with your meal? Just ask the knowledgeable bar staff for their recommendations – they won’t steer you wrong!

4. Seedy Salty Bread: All dinner guests are treated fresh baked bread at the onset of the meal – and the signature “flavor” is the SotE Seedy bread. Made in the wood fired oven, this mild sourdough is flavored with a blend of aromatic seeds – poppy, flax, sesame, onion and fennel, and topped with grey sea salt. Other popular breads include herbs & salt, rustic country French bread and roasted garlic potato. There’s even a gluten free bread option. Whole loaves are also available for purchase, while supplies last.

5. Fresh Board: The weekly features of specials – from soups and salads, shared plates, entrees and desserts – based on what is available fresh and local at the time. This menu is posted weekly on SotE’s Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/saltoftheearthfennville.

6. Palazzolo’s Gelato & Sorbet: Why not give the confit chicken wings with a scoop of mango habanero sorbet a try – a similar pairing was featured in 2011 on the Food Network’s show “Outrageous Foods”. Other unique sweet-n-spicy flavors include raspberry ghostpepper, pineapple sriracha and candied peppers. More traditional flavors like Tahitian vanilla, peanut butter honey, Nutella and milk chocolate can be served up in a bowl, in a milkshake or on a banana split. A scoop along with the house-made doughnuts would probably satisfy as well! (Note, flavors of gelato change regularly based on availability and seasonality).

7. Wood Fire Toasted S’more: Big enough for two (or more), featuring homemade marshmallow, graham cracker crumb, milk chocolate pudding and salted caramel.

8. Local Farms: More than a dozen local farms contribute to SotE’s farm-to-table menu – and it’s not uncommon to bump into these growers who are there to enjoy the fruits (or vegetables, cheeses and meats) of their labor! To find out which farms are currently sourcing, visit www.realtimefarms.com and search for Salt of the Earth.

9. Live Music: Noted as one of the top venues for local and regional artists, the intimate stage area provides a variety of entertainment on Tuesday and select Sunday evenings. The Summer Music Series runs Tuesday evenings (8-11pm). Upcoming performers include Billy Strings and Don Julin (July 2), Mulebone (July 16), Fauxgrass (July 30), George Cole and Eurocana (Aug. 13), Moxie Strings (Aug. 20) and Schrock Bros (Aug. 27).

10. Outdoor Seating: Dining al fresco is the perfect way to end a summer evening in west Michigan. Intimate seating for 2 or 4 is offered, weather permitting – with full menu service and loads of fresh air!

Salt of the Earth is open year-round, currently seven days a week: 5-10pm, Sunday through Thursday and 5-11pm on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is just 10 miles from Saugatuck, 50 miles from Grand Rapids and 140 miles from Chicago.

Salt of the Earth
114 East Main Street
Fennville MI 49408
269-561-SALT (7258)
info@saltoftheearthfennville.com
www.saltoftheearthfennville.com
www.facebook.com/saltoftheearthfennville

Salt of the Earth Celebrates Excellent 1st Year

It has been just over a year since Salt of the Earth – a rustic American eatery -- started serving its unique and locally-flavored cuisine in downtown Fennville. And what a year it’s been! Tucked away in the heart of Southwest Michigan’s growing agricultural region, Salt of the Earth has quickly gained a reputation as one of the hottest restaurants in the region.

“We’ve seen a very large number of guests this summer,” says Mark Schrock, co-owner of Salt of the Earth. “Our sales projections for June and July were each exceeded by almost 40 percent. About half of that summer business is attributed to the tourists – many from the Chicago area who have vacation homes in the area or others who may be staying at the area bed-and-breakfasts in tourist towns who make the drive to dine with us.” He adds, ‘We also have a very strong local following.”

The average diner at Salt of the Earth travels about 25 miles for the experience, with Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo residents making up about 15% of the business. Groups range from two to 20, with an increasing number of large groups coming in for special events and family gatherings.

Under the direction of Executive Chef Matthew Pietsch (protégé of ‘Iron Chef’ Michael Symon) and Chef de Cuisine Jesse Hahn, Salt of the Earth delivers a seasonal menu of house-made entrees, shared plates, wood-fired oven pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and creative desserts – using fresh ingredients, sourced locally whenever possible.

The bakery café features pastries, artisan breads, coffee and espresso drinks, lunch offerings and free wi-fi for their guests. The bar is stocked with all the standards, as well as an impressive selection of Michigan wines, craft beers and spirits.

A widely popular “Michigan Wine & Beer Dinner Series” was held during the winter months, giving locals and regulars a family-style culinary experience like no other. In all, four Michigan wineries and four Michigan breweries were featured which helped bring in many guests to the restaurant for the first, but likely not the last, time. The series will be held again this winter, January through April.

“There’s a growing interest in the farm-to-table concept,” says Pietsch, who takes pride in the number of regional growers and producers who provide him with the freshest ingredients. “More and more guests are seeking to dine and drink local product, even going as far to choose these types of restaurants over others. That just reinforces our philosophy here at Salt of the Earth.”

Featuring an attractive warm and homey décor, paired with a chic and modern menu, Salt of the Earth is also a popular venue for local and regional musical artists, with live music every Friday evening. House concerts are held on selected Sunday evenings as well.

“Special events like the first annual Fennville Art Jam and our summer concert series “Tuesday’s in the Park” help to draw people to the area and through our doors,” Schrock says. “We also see visitors who have been to nearby Fenn Valley Winery and Crane Orchards, who are looking to add our culinary experience to their visit. Families visiting the Children’s Museum of Fennville are also finding us and enjoying our kid’s menu”

Salt of the Earth is open year-round, currently seven days a week – from 7am to 9pm, Sunday thru Thursday and 7am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday. Hours may be seasonally adjusted. The restaurant is located at 114 E. Main Street in downtown Fennville, just 10 miles from Saugatuck, 50 miles from Grand Rapids and 140 miles from Chicago.

Salt of the Earth114 East Main Street
Fennville MI 49408
269.561.SALT (7258)
info@saltoftheearthfennville.com
www.saltoftheearthfennville.com
www.facebook.com/saltoftheearthfennville