Introduction to Locals Dinner
What is South Florida cuisine? It’s a question loaded with debate from different viewpoints, histories and ethnicities. It’s what makes the region so interesting. But no chef has a better handle on the ingredients that come out of South Florida soil and seawater than Jimmy Everett, the owner of Boynton Beach restaurant Driftwood and a native who grew up fishing on area waterways. Combining local ingredients and preparing them in a thoughtful way is what he does best.
The Event
Those skills will be on display at Driftwood’s second annual Locals Dinner on Monday, May 19, a multicourse, communal dinner that celebrates the end of the traditional South Florida harvest season and showcases the bounty that the region’s farmers, fishers and producers have to offer. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour that includes welcome bites and a complimentary drink. The dinner — a “farm-forward” tasting menu served to about 65 to 70 guests at communal tables — begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are available, but unlikely to last: Cost is $125 a person, with an optional beverage service for $50.
Featured Ingredients and Partners
Along with locally caught seafood, the dinner will include contributions from Quincey Cattle Co. in Chiefland; Keely Farms Dairy in New Smyrna Beach; Holman’s Harvest, Gratitude Garden Farm and McCoy’s Florida Honey in Loxahatchee Groves; Charmed Life Farm in Loxahatchee; Kai-Kai Farm in Indiantown; 5150 Chocolate Co. in Delray Beach; and Munyon’s Paw-Paw in Palm Beach Gardens. ‘It’s connecting people with their local food source, which I think there is way too little of.’ — Driftwood owner Jimmy Everett
Behind the Chef
Chef Jimmy Everett will shine a spotlight on South Florida farmers, fishers and producers during the second annual Locals Dinner on Monday, May 19, at his Boynton Beach restaurant, Driftwood. A meal created from regional ingredients and served to a gathering of area residents is not the only way Monday’s event earns its name: Everett’s guest list for Locals Dinner will include a couple dozen farmers, fishers and other folks who have produced the items on your plate. You may find yourself seated with a chocolatier on one side and an oyster farmer on the other. Everett happens to be one of the most respected chefs in South Florida, having trained at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, then opening restaurants in New York, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.
The Menu and Inspiration
During the event, Everett and partner Tommy Coombs will introduce each course, discuss its inspiration and offer the person in the room who is responsible for its ingredients the opportunity to speak about it. “People were really intrigued. They wanted that,” Everett says of guests at last year’s inaugural dinner. The Locals Dinner menu currently features raw Treasure Coast oysters and crudo made with local fish; soft shell crab (with green mango, tamarind, salsa umami); Holman’s Beet Agnolotti (with hazelnut brown butter, dry-aged Charmed Life duck yolk, Munyon’s Paw-Paw and citrus); Quincey Cattle Oxtail au Poivre (with crispy potatoes and Gratitude Garden mushrooms); Florida Peach Cobbler (with ice cream made with cream from Keely Farms Dairy, plus McCoy’s honey); and a 5150 bonbon. But it is an evolving document, and serendipity will rule right up until dinnertime, as Everett is constantly coming across new ingredients and inspiration.
Event Details
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Second annual Locals Dinner
WHEN: 6 p.m. Monday, May 19
WHERE: Driftwood, 2005 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach
COST: $125 per person (service fee & sales tax not included); optional beverage pairing is $50
INFORMATION: Facebook.com/eatdrinkdriftwood
Conclusion
The Locals Dinner at Driftwood promises to be an unforgettable evening of fine dining and community building. With its focus on local ingredients, communal seating, and opportunities for producers to share their stories, this event is a unique celebration of South Florida’s culinary scene.
FAQs
Q: What is the Locals Dinner at Driftwood?
A: The Locals Dinner is a multicourse, communal dinner that celebrates the end of the traditional South Florida harvest season and showcases the bounty of the region’s farmers, fishers, and producers.
Q: When and where is the event?
A: The event takes place on Monday, May 19, at 6 p.m. at Driftwood, 2005 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach.
Q: How much do tickets cost?
A: Tickets are $125 per person, with an optional beverage pairing for $50.
Q: What can I expect from the menu?
A: The menu features a variety of dishes made with local ingredients, including seafood, meats, and produce, and is subject to change based on the availability of fresh ingredients.
