If you've got the bucks, you could buy a piece of paradise -- Paradise Farms, that is. Homestead's organic oasis is up for sale.
During a Dinner in Paradise event last night, owner Gabriele Marewski announced she's selling the property and moving to Asheville, North Carolina.
So before this farmer/hostess is out the door, now is the time to snag some tickets for her popular dinner events.
See also: Outstanding in the Field Returns to Paradise Farms Next Week
The Dinner in Paradise series is a tradition Marewski has been hosting for eight seasons. From November to April, diners gather for five-course gourmet meals using garden-grown ingredients cooked by some of South Florida's best chefs.
The scene is a tropical oasis -- twinkly lights, balmy breezes, and a lush backdrop -- paired with fresh, creative concoctions. At last night's dinner, Marewski led her usual premeal farm tour during which she announced, much to her audience's chagrin, she's selling the farm.
"This is, I think, going to be the last season that I'll be leading the tour. I don't know who will be taking over," Marewski told her fans. More than a decade after launching the farm, she'll move to Asheville to be close to her son, a vegan college student.
Even the sad news couldn't cast a shadow on the lovely dinner, prepared by chefs Dewey LoSasso (formerly of the Forge, now of Aqualina Resort & Spa), Wolfgang Birk (of Area 31 at Epic), and Nicolas Cabrera (of Baires Grill). Highlights included a delightful winter squash salad with pumpkin seeds and field greens by Cabrera; pistachio-crusted snapper in naked Italian wedding soup by LoSasso; and pan-roasted black grouper with forbidden rice, pickled farm veggies, and kale cilantro sauce by Birk.
The next dinner, January 26, will feature chefs Cesar Zapata (of the Federal), Clay Conley (formerly of Azul), and Kris Wessel (formerly of Florida Cookery).
Becauase Marewski's departure date is unknown (it depends upon when the farm is sold), now is the time to score some tickets while she's still hosting. The dinners are the only time the picturesque, peaceful farm is open to the public, so it makes for a memorable occasion.
The dinners cost $165.50 per person plus tax and processing, and reservations must be made in advance. Check out the farm's website for details.
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