This Monday was the mouth watering Tree to Table benefit at the OKC Public Farmer’s Market. This event asks OKC chefs and catering companies to compete and make either savory or sweet dishes, highlighting ingredients that come from trees (think apples, almonds, chocolate,etc.)
As event-goers we were tasked with eating scrumptious foods and socializing. A challenge we were up for! Many delicious restaurants and catering services from OKC participated, like Museum Cafe, Kam’s Kookery, Vast, The Wedge, Stella, Rococo and many more.
It’s so crazy to think about the people who don’t get fresh food and how far we have gone to popularize unhealthy overly processed foods. This is a great event that reminds you to get back to the basics with healthy, fresh ingredients.
After tasting all the delicacies, we voted for our favorite. My favorite had to be from Kam’s Kookery, it was a mix of deliciousness – pecan smoked pork, maple infused sweet potatoes, apple slaw and apricot mole. Makes me tired just thinking of preparing it!
Rick Bayless was the head judge. Bayless specializes in tasty Mexican dishes and may sound familiar to you through his PBS series, Mexico, or his numerous famous restaurants, like Frontera. He also happens to be from OKC, where he graduated high school with my mother and aunt! #famous It was great to get to greet him and celebrate his super healthy, stylish mother on her 89th birthday! It’s amazing what good food can do for you!
The proceeds benefitted Oklahoma Orchards and Tornado Re-Leaf programs of the Tree Bank Foundation. It is their goal to get more trees planted in tornado damaged communities. Since 2013, they have successfully planted more than 12,000 trees and would like to continue and push that goal in the upcoming years. If you missed out on the event and would still like to donate to this important cause, you can still do so!
Best part of the event was definitely watching my cousin struggling to get down the stairs and out the door without harming her large maple tree she purchased at the event.
Have a great Wednesday!
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