Outstanding in the Field & On the Beach in Deleware

Last week while I was at the beach, I had the great pleasure of attending an Outstanding in the Field event on the beach in Delaware. You can read more about this organization here, but in general the organizations mission is to  re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.  For their Delaware stop, they  invited none other than Matt Haley of Fish On! to create an outstanding feast right on the shore as the Atlantic Ocean crashed nearby. 

Chef and artist Jim Denevan, founder of Outstanding in the Field, welcomed us with his cowboy hat on and told us a little about how they started and have grown over the last few years.  Jim also introduced local farmers and fishermen who contributed to the dinner, including Parson's Farm, Good Earth Market, Fifer Farms, Lewes Fish House, Twin Lakes Brewery, and Nassau Valley Vineyard. 

The event took place at the Indian River Life Saving Station which is an amazing beach side venue for a wedding or special event. The hors d'oeuvres included blue crab claws with corn mayo, lobster deviled eggs, fresh pea soup shooters with truffle oil, and smoked bluefish crustinies.  Dinner at the long table started with freshly pickled zucchini & squash that was to die for, artisan breads, and whole green leaf salad with herb vinaigrette and was served with a sauvignon blanc. The next course was my favorite with heirloom sun gold tomato & cucumber salad and potato salad with lemon cream and gorgeous tri-colored potatoes served with a chardonnay. The main was grilled marinated rockfish, roasted vegetables with oyster salad, and a nectarine/peach chili corn salad served with a merlot. The corn salad was unexpected and amazing, and I can't wait till Phong tries to make it at home!  Dessert was de-lish with apple pie with streusel topping and a peach & blueberry crisp serviced with a blueberry dessert wine. While the food was unbelievable and so.. fresh, the location and the view made it over the top. I'll let you see for yourself in the pictures.