Southern Byways

The challenge guidelines set forth by Bon Appetit Management Company to their cafes are simple: chefs can only use ingredients produced within 150 miles of their restaurants, with the exception of salt, of course.

Are they up to it? Of course, and on September 30 -  it’s game on.

During the 4th Annual Eat Local Challenge, around 400 locations in 28 states will take part in this day dedicated to bringing local bounty to the table. At one of the participating cafes, executive chef  Robert Garrett of Oglethorpe University Cafe, Atlanta, Ga., says it’s their time to go all out to show the scope of what’s available in the area.

“We always try to incorporate local products into our menu, but not at this level,” comments Garrett.

Being in an education setting, he says the restaurant has a captivated audience, and they use this day to further the customer’s knowledge about available local products.

He points out of all of the many reasons of eating locally grown food; one happens to be very important these days, especially in the metro-Atlanta area: fuel prices.

“Not only does using locally grown products cut down carbon footprints, but also fuel miles, the cost of how much was spent to transport the item. Why would I buy from California when the similar product is available down the road.”

In preparation for the event, he started visiting farmer’s markets about five to six weeks ago to find out what they might have. With the strict guidelines, he admits that for some recipes, they had to be creative, or “think outside of the box,” in Garrett’s words.

This is especially true when it comes to desserts. He says they have created many fruit-based desserts, using organic blueberries, apples and local muscadines. To sweeten it, they used honey.

 

“The pastry chef has outdone herself,” he admits.”She has created by far the best dessert. It’s an apple cornmeal crisp and it’s cakey.”

Even though this challenges has them trying new methods, he says there are times you don’t want to do anything with the fresh ingredients.

“You want to keep vegetables and the like as simple as possible. Highlight the freshness and taste.”

Here’s a look at Oglethorpe University  Cafe’s (tentative) menu for September 30. Notice the broad range of food available in the area.

GLOBAL

Peel and Eat Georgia White Shrimp (Port Royal, SC)

Fried Green Tomatoes (snc*) with Local Bacon (Riverview Farms, Ranger, GA)

and Goat’s Milk Feta Cheese (Split Creek Farm, Anderson, SC)

Boiled Peanuts (snc*)

COMFORTS

Pecan-crusted North Carolina Rainbow Trout (Carolina Mountain Trout, Andrews, NC)

North Georgia Berkshire Pork Bratwurst (Riverview Farms, Ranger, GA)

Steamed in Local Ale (Sweetwater Brewing, Atlanta, GA)

Grilled and Served with Vidalia Sweet Onion (Twin Pond Farm, Soperton, GA) Chutney

South Carolina Goat Cheese (Split Creek Farm, Anderson, SC)

and Logan’s Turnpike Stone-ground Grits (Blairsville, GA) Souffle

Mixed Local Field Peas (Riverview Farms, Ranger, GA)

GRILL

White Oak Pastures Grass-fed Beef Hamburgers (Bluffton, GA)

Springer Mountain Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwiches (Mt. Airy, GA)

*source not confirmed

CUCINA VERDE

Roasted Assorted Baby Potatoes (Crystal Organics, Newborn, GA)

Baked Vidalia Sweet Onions (Twin Pond Farm, Soperton, GA)

with Basil Butter (Sparkman’s Cream Valley, Moultrie, GA)

Roasted Delicata Squash (Riverview Farms, Ranger, GA)

Roasted Sweet Potatoes (Crystal Organics, Newborn, GA)

Eggplant, Tomato, and Bell Pepper Melange (Moore’s Farm and Friends, Woodland, AL)

SALAD BAR

Bibb Lettuce Leaves (B.J.’s Produce, Athens, GA)

Arugula (Crystal Organics, Newborn, GA)

Autumn Prince Peaches (J.W. Yonce and Sons, Johnston, SC)

Muscadine Wine Vinaigrette (Tiger Mountain Winery, Tiger, GA)

Mayhaw Vinaigrette (Southern Grace Farms, Enigma, GA)

DESSERT

Apple-Cornmeal Crisp

Peach Dump Cake

Blueberry-Honey Compote

BEVERAGE

Watermelon-Mint Agua Fresca

INGREDIENTS

Corn meal – Nora Mill Granary, Helen, GA

Honey – Blue Ridge Honey Co., Lakemont, GA

Milk – Cagle’s Dairy, Woodstock, GA

Eggs – Carlton Farms, Rockmart, GA

Mayhaw Jelly – Hillside Orchard Farms, Tiger, GA

Organic Blueberries – Taylorganics, Ellenwood, GA

Chile Peppers and Garlic – Gaia Gardens Organic Farm, Decatur, GA

Fresh Herbs – Crystal Organics, Gaia Gardens, Moore’s Farm and Friends

Pecans – Stone Mountain Pecans, Monroe, GA

Watermelons – Crystal Organics, Newborn, GA

Apples – Crystal Mountain Organic Farm, Helen, GA

 

Photo credits: First page (top left) Red Apple, flickr, creative commons by Paul Denton Cocker; (bottom right) Muscadines,flickr, creative commons by The Rat Bat; Second page (top) Vidalia Onions, flickr, creative commons by Old Shoe Woman; (middle) Blueberries-Basket, flickr, creative commons by giniger.

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