Outstanding in the Field facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Outstanding in the Field |
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| Inaugurated | 1999 |
| Founder | Jim Denevan |
| Activity | Outdoor dining |
Outstanding in the Field is a special event where people enjoy meals outdoors. It started in 1999 in the United States. Jim Denevan created it. These events have taken place in 17 different countries.
Local chefs create a unique menu for each event. They use fresh ingredients from the area. Guests don't know what they will eat until they arrive. Everyone sits together at one long table. Meals are served family style, meaning large platters are shared. Each event lasts about five hours and usually hosts between 130 and 200 people.
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History of Outstanding in the Field
Outstanding in the Field began in 1999. The very first outdoor dinner happened on a small farm. Jim Denevan held three dinners that year. He held more events in the following years. By 2004, he hired a team and started traveling full-time. This allowed him to hold Outstanding in the Field events all over the country.
By October 2021, these events had been held in all 50 states of the United States. They also took place in 16 other countries around the world.
How the Events Work
Outstanding in the Field events are dinners. Chefs from the local area cook for many guests. You need to buy tickets to attend. On average, 130 to 200 people come to each event. The whole experience lasts about five hours.
Where Dinners Are Held
Jim Denevan and his team set up the dinner location on the day of the event. They often choose farms. In the United States, they travel from one event to the next in a special red-and-white bus. They arrange tables end-to-end to make one very long table. Sometimes, the table curves to fit the natural shape of the land. Jim Denevan also sometimes creates temporary art nearby.
Besides farms, these events have been held in other interesting places. These include Jackson Hole, Chicago, and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
The Event Experience
Outstanding in the Field events start with a welcome hour. Guests can enjoy drinks and snacks. There is also a guided tour of the location. This happens before the main meal begins.
The Food Served
Each meal has a special four- or five-course menu. Local chefs design it, and it's never the same twice. Guests discover what they will eat when they arrive. Chefs are asked to plan the menu only a few weeks before the event. They base the meal on the location and what fresh ingredients are available nearby. The food is served family style. This means large platters are brought to the table for every eight people to share.
Special Events
Outstanding in the Field has held many memorable dinners.
At the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2016, an event was held every night. Three famous chefs worked with a local farmer for each meal. Outstanding in the Field had also been part of Coachella in two earlier years. One night's five-course meal included fresh flatbread and steamed Arctic char. It also featured kalbi with kimchi polenta. For dessert, there was grilled stonefruit on shortcake with whipped cream. On another night, the meal had spicy scallop ceviche and fish and carnitas tacos. The dessert was arroz con leche and honey ice cream.
In 2018, an event took place at Flying Disc Ranch. This celebrated the ranch's 40th anniversary. The four-course menu focused on dates, which are the ranch's main product. Dishes included a roasted beet salad and Kung Pao shrimp with dates. There was also lamb shank with a date barbecue sauce. For dessert, guests enjoyed a tres leches cupcake.
Outstanding in the Field events were also held at Kualoa Ranch in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
