Outstanding in the Field: A Memorable Long-Table Dining Experience
Imagine sitting at a beautifully set long table beside a gently flowing creek, surrounded by towering trees, enjoying local wine and a meal prepared with produce grown just metres away.
That's how I remember my Outstanding in the Field dinner at Everett Family Farm in Soquel, near Santa Cruz, California.
I'd discovered Outstanding in the Field while planning my nine-week journey through the United States. The idea of dining on a working farm, meeting the people who produced the food and sharing a table with strangers immediately appealed to me.
What followed was far more than a meal. We toured the organic farm, met our hosts and enjoyed a multi-course dinner prepared by a local chef, accompanied by regional wines.
It remains one of my most memorable travel experiences, not just because of the food and beautiful setting, but because of the people we met and the conversations shared around that very long table.
The Long Table Experience
Outstanding in the Field began in California in 1999, founded by artist and chef Jim Denevan, who wanted to reconnect diners with the land and the people responsible for producing their food.
His idea was simple but innovative: instead of bringing farm-fresh ingredients into a restaurant, why not bring the restaurant directly to the farm?
The result was a travelling dining experience, often described as a restaurant without walls, where one long communal table becomes the centrepiece of an extraordinary outdoor meal.
Each event brings together local farmers, growers, winemakers and guest chefs. Seasonal ingredients take centre stage, with menus designed around the produce and food traditions of the surrounding region.
Guests have the opportunity to meet their hosts, learn about where their food comes from and enjoy a leisurely meal alongside people they've often never met before.
It's an experience that celebrates more than good food. It's about discovering a destination through its people, produce and sense of place.
Outstanding in the Field in 2026: From California to the World
What began as a farm dinner in California has grown into an international dining experience, with the travelling long table visiting destinations around the world.
The 2026 tour includes events across the United States and international destinations such as Spain, Italy, Japan and South Korea.
And it's no longer just about dining on farms. Depending on the event, tables may be set in vineyards, coastal locations, urban spaces or other places connected to local food production.
Despite its international growth, the appeal remains much the same: discovering a destination through its local food, meeting the people behind it and sharing a meal in an unusual setting.
I was particularly pleased to see Everett Family Farm, where I enjoyed my own Outstanding in the Field dinner, included again in the 2026 programme.
Explore the Outstanding in the Field Tour and Upcoming Events →
Is Outstanding in the Field Worth the Price?
Outstanding in the Field isn't an inexpensive dining experience. In 2026, advertised standard tour tickets start at approximately US$385 per person, with prices varying by event and applicable taxes or fees.
But you're paying for more than dinner.
An event generally includes a welcome reception, an introduction to the hosts, a property tour where appropriate, and a multi-course meal prepared by a guest chef, often with beverage pairings.
It's worth allowing around five hours for the experience rather than treating it as a conventional restaurant booking.
What Do Recent Guests Think?
Recent guest feedback suggests that the setting, atmosphere and opportunity to meet fellow diners are often as memorable as the food.
However, experiences vary between locations and chefs, and not everyone considers the meal alone worth the premium ticket price.
If you're looking purely for fine dining, you may find better value at a restaurant. But if you enjoy discovering local food, meeting producers and sharing a meal in an unusual setting, Outstanding in the Field offers something quite different.
Was It Worth It for Me?
Absolutely.
What I remember most isn't just the beautifully prepared food or the local wines. It's arriving at a working organic farm, meeting the Everett family, walking through the property and eventually sitting down with around 200 guests at one long table beside the creek.
There was something special about sharing a meal with people we'd never met, passing dishes around the table and enjoying conversations as the afternoon turned into evening.
For me, it was worth including in our travel itinerary because it offered something I couldn't have experienced simply by booking a restaurant.
Of course, ticket prices have increased since my visit, so whether it's worth the cost today will depend on your budget and what you value in a travel experience.
How Do Guests Get to Your Outstanding in the Field Event
Before booking, check the exact event location and how you'll get there. Many dinners take place on working farms, vineyards or rural properties where public transport is limited.
If you're planning to enjoy the wine pairings, consider arranging a private driver, taxi or other suitable transport in advance.
It's also worth checking whether the event has a designated meeting point, parking arrangements or any additional transport instructions.
A note about my visit: I attended Outstanding in the Field at Everett Family Farm in California in 2018. The following is my personal account of that evening, including the people we met and the menu we enjoyed. Event locations, chefs, menus and prices change from year to year.
Arriving at Everett Family Farm
Our Outstanding in the Field experience began with a warm welcome at Everett Family Farm in Soquel, a short distance from Santa Cruz.
With a glass in hand, we enjoyed small bites prepared with seasonal ingredients, including freshly shucked oysters, summer squash gazpacho, and marinated carrots and sugar snap peas with fresh mint.
It was a relaxed beginning to the afternoon and a lovely opportunity to meet other guests before exploring the farm.
Meeting the Everett Family
Our hosts, Rich and Laura Everett, introduced us to their family farm and the work involved in producing organic food.
We also met their three daughters, Hailey, Hannah and Annie, along with Outstanding in the Field founder Jim Denevan and general manager Eden.
Each spoke about their involvement in the event, acknowledging the farmers, suppliers and team members who had helped bring the afternoon together.
Guests were then divided into two groups for an informal 30-minute farm tour led by Laura Everett and the farm manager.
Exploring the Organic Farm
Everett Family Farm was more than a picturesque setting for dinner. It was a working organic farm with vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, chickens and goats.
Rich and Laura had purchased the property from third-generation farmers and worked to preserve the land and surrounding creek environment. The farm became certified organic in 2001.
During our visit, we learnt about their orchards, including Laura's interest in heirloom apples for cider making and Rich's Honeycrisp apples.
Walking through the property and hearing directly from the family gave us a greater appreciation of the ingredients we would soon be enjoying.
Dinner Beside the Creek
After our farm tour, we followed a stony path towards the creek, where the long table had been beautifully arranged beneath towering trees.
It was quite a sight.
An elegant white table setting stretched alongside the water, ready to accommodate around 200 guests. The late afternoon light filtered through the trees, creating a wonderful atmosphere.
Nearby, guest chef Santos Majano and his team were preparing dinner in an outdoor kitchen.
Once everyone had found their seats, platters of food began arriving at the table, served family-style for guests to share.
Conversations briefly quietened as each new course appeared, only to begin again as dishes were passed around and wine glasses refilled.
A Farm-to-Table Feast
Chef Santos Majano prepared a seasonal menu celebrating produce from the farm and surrounding region, accompanied by wines from local producers, including Birichino Vineyards.
We began with house-made focaccia, served with Arbequina extra virgin olive oil and Big Sur sea salt.
Next came generous bowls of leafy greens, fennel, pickled beetroot and the last of the season's asparagus, dressed with a tangy strawberry vinaigrette. This was paired with Birichino Chenin Blanc.
The following course featured local king salmon, accompanied by a wheatberry salad, fresh herbs and grilled little gem lettuce, served with Pinot Noir.
Then came Llano Seco pork ribs, grilled vegetables and Toscano kale, accompanied by Grenache.
And just when we thought we couldn't eat another bite, dessert arrived.
Grilled stone fruit, strawberry and cured Meyer lemon ice cream, cookie crumble and local honey provided a delicious finish to the meal.
It was generous, uncomplicated food that allowed the seasonal ingredients to shine.
What made it particularly enjoyable was the relaxed pace. There was no rush to finish one course before the next, and plenty of time to talk, taste the wines and enjoy our surroundings.
Bring Your Own Plate: An Outstanding in the Field Tradition
One of the most unusual and charming aspects of Outstanding in the Field is its bring-your-own-plate tradition.
Guests are encouraged to bring a plate from home, preferably one with a story behind it.
On arrival, these plates are placed on a pallet marked Yours before being transported to the dining table.
For travellers like us, who weren't carrying dinner plates around the United States, there was another pallet marked Ours, where guests could choose a plate to use for the evening.
It's a simple idea, but a wonderful conversation starter.
Some guests bring treasured family plates, while others choose something that reminds them of a special place or occasion.
The different plates also give the beautifully arranged table a personal, homely feel.
I loved this tradition because it captured the spirit of the event. Everyone arrived with a different story, yet we all came together around the same table.
An Evening to Remember
As the afternoon slipped into evening, the conversations continued and the atmosphere became even more relaxed.
By the end of dinner, people who had arrived as strangers were chatting like old friends. There was plenty of laughter and talk of attending another Outstanding in the Field event.
Jim Denevan thanked our hosts and chef, acknowledging the people who had made the evening possible.
Eventually, as darkness settled over the farm, it was time to make our way back along the creek and past the vegetable gardens.
I remember leaving feeling wonderfully full, not just from the food but from the whole experience.
The setting was beautiful, the meal memorable and the hospitality genuine. But it was the opportunity to connect with people through food that stayed with me.
Travelling has always been about more than visiting places I've never seen before. It's about being open to experiences that introduce me to different people, traditions and ways of life.
That evening at Everett Family Farm was a perfect example.
How to Book an Outstanding in the Field Dinner
If you're considering attending an Outstanding in the Field event, I'd recommend checking the tour schedule before finalising your travel itinerary.
Events are held in different locations throughout the year, and popular dates can sell out.
A few things are worth considering before booking:
Location: Check the exact meeting point and how you'll get there. Some events take place on rural properties where public transport is limited.
Duration: Allow approximately four and a half to five hours for the experience.
Weather: Most events are held outdoors and proceed in a range of weather conditions.
Dietary requirements: Check the available options before purchasing tickets.
Cancellation conditions: Review the ticket terms carefully, as bookings are generally non-refundable.
Clothing: Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking around farms, vineyards or uneven ground.
And if you're travelling from overseas, don't worry about bringing a dinner plate. Plates are available for guests who don't bring their own.
For the latest destinations, event details, prices and availability, visit the official website.
Final Thoughts: Why Travel Experiences Create Lasting Memories
Would I attend another Outstanding in the Field dinner?
Without hesitation, although I'd carefully consider the destination, chef and current ticket price before booking.
I'd particularly enjoy experiencing the concept in another country, discovering how different landscapes, producers and local food traditions influence the evening.
Looking back, our dinner at Everett Family Farm remains one of those travel experiences I'm grateful we made time for.
Over the years, I've realised that some of my favourite travel memories aren't about famous landmarks or must-see attractions. They're about the people I've met, the conversations I've shared and the experiences that have taken me beyond the usual tourist trail.
Outstanding in the Field brought all those things together. A beautiful setting, locally produced food and a long table shared with people we'd only just met.
It's experiences like these that remind me why I love to travel. Long after the journey ends, it's often the simplest moments that stay with us the longest.
Where to Stay Near Everett Family Farm
We chose to stay in Santa Cruz, California, approximately 15–20 minutes by car from Everett Family Farm in nearby Soquel.
Santa Cruz was a great base for our visit. We could enjoy the relaxed coastal atmosphere, explore the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and easily reach the farm for our Outstanding in the Field dinner.
If you're planning to attend an Outstanding in the Field event, I'd recommend checking the exact location before booking accommodation. Events are held in different locations, often outside major towns and cities.
For our visit, staying in Santa Cruz gave us the best of both worlds — a coastal getaway and a memorable farm-to-table dining experience.
Find Accommodation in Santa Cruz →
Continue Exploring the USA
Planning a trip to the United States? From vibrant cities and scenic road trips to national parks and memorable food experiences, there's plenty to discover beyond the usual tourist attractions.
Explore my USA travel guides for destination inspiration, first-hand experiences and practical tips to help you plan your next American adventure.
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