Dazed am I, in the way of being impressed, by the multitude of things classically trained chef and dedicated farmer Christian Phernetton accomplishes. I am also confused on how to keep track of it all to purchase what my hubby and I need. For those who figure it out there are rewards in the way of accessing via The Chef's Farm wonderful local produce grown with sustainable and organic farming practices as well as, in 2020 at least, completed meals and finished food products that could be delivered to your door.
PRODUCE FOR DAYS: This is the farmer Christian making it happen via his farm in Dry Creek Valley. As in the outstanding lettuces, really at the top of the list for best of our 40 years of cooking together at home, that we bought from The Chef's Farm for a couple of weeks via the Saturday morning Boise Farmers Market in Summer 2020 until Christian stopped selling via that market. But I think The Chef's Farm is set up to sell at a sometimes pop up Farmers Market in the Hyde Park neighborhood on Saturdays if one can find that outlet for this excellent produce of all kinds. For a while earlier on The Chef's Farm did a sort of CSA box too and may be doing it again (?). And in 2021 there is a subscription service for fresh microgreens for which the only downside may be they are packaged in greater quantity than can be consumed even by two devoted daily greens eaters. Still, a very good thing. Check the website to see what the plans might be for 2021 for any or all of these services. And as produce - farm aside, not only does Christian grow some of the most remarkably delicious carrots we have eaten, he creates some of the most incredibly delicious dishes with carrots as focal point...and we say this as people for whom carrots have never been a "thing" until Christian's dishes provided revelation. Which leads to the next point.
MMMM...ARVELOUS FINISHED FOOD DISHES: At times it is chef Christian Phernetton at work via The Chef's Farm to create finished food dishes including complete meals ready to heat and plate and eat which we were able to order and savor in the last half of 2020. After the 2020 holiday season this service paused. If started again we will use it again as provided remarkable meals from this "Chef with Chops". Keep in mind Christian has impressive background as a chef in the DC and Bay Areas at fine restaurants in those locales and was the inaugural chef at Boise's acclaimed Camel's Crossing...where his Carrot Steak was a diner favorite and as aside I'll say his lamb cassoulet was the best dish even to now that I have been served in any Boise eatery. ( Camel's Crossing closed early in pandemic months.) You'll see my photos on this page for the great way in which The Chef's Farmmeals were delivered to homes on Fridays and Saturdays. (In Eagle where I live for a mere $7). My husband and I also appreciated that the weekly menus included options for omnivores and vegetarians alike. Also that in this service Christian remained true to the sustainability practices he embraces (we do too) and delivered the meals in reusable glass vessels which he also picked up as part of that minimal charge for delivery. It wasn't only our bodies that felt well fed by Christian's work but our consciences too. Every purchase we make reflects our values.
GIFTS NO LESS: During the holiday season - and maybe at other times - The Chef's Farm website listed things like condiments and holiday boxes that one could order to give to friends and neighbors. It was a great way to delight food centric people and people who support small local food producers. We purchased these too in 2020.
FIGURING IT OUT IN 2021: As we determine what is being sold by The Chef's Farm in 2021 that is in a venue and format that we can use for our home kitchen we will happily remain customers. This is an example of a business growing and creating unique and delicious things. read more