Advance reservations are now being taken for Thursday April 22, 2010 when The Liberty Elm Diner commemorates the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by serving a Farm-to-Diner “Earth Dinner” at 7pm at 777 Elmwood Avenue, Providence.

Chef Twillia Glover of The Liberty Elm Diner will serve up a Farm-to-Diner “Earth Dinner” in the historic 1947 Elmwood lunch car. “One does not need to dine at a high-end restaurant to receive a local, sustainable and delicious meal,” says Chef Glover who, in addition to being head chef at The Liberty Elm Diner, also owns her own sustainable catering business.

Owner Carol DeFeciani adds “It’s also important for folks to recognize that food doesn’t grow in a can and that if we buy local and eat local, it not only sustains our Rhode Island farmers and producers and preserves New England farmland, but it sustains our environment and our local economy.”

Developed in 2004, the “Earth Dinner” provides people with an opportunity to reconnect with their food, its source, and the memories and traditions associated with it. “With more than 50 chefs and restaurateurs participating in this year’s Earth Dinner series,” says Melissa Kogut, Executive Director of Chefs Collaborative, a sponsor of the nationwide food event, “Earth Dinners highlight the commitment to sourcing ingredients responsibly and talent of our chefs. The dinners also educate the public about the importance of eating food that is locally grown, in season, and sustainable.”

For $30 per person (plus tax and gratuity) the Diner will serve a full-course prix fixe menu including a local cheese board and dessert with BYO suggested local wine pairings by Chef Glover. Reservations must be paid in advance.
The full menu for Earth Dinner 2010 at The Liberty Elm Diner includes:

FIRST
Local Cheese Board: House-made Chutney and Seven Stars Bakery Bread
Great Hill Blue
Shy Brothers Farm
Narragansett Creamery

SECOND — a choice of:
Braised RI Raised Cage-Free Chicken Breast
Risotto: Asparagus, Pea Greens, Live Arugula and Shy Brothers Farm Shallot Hannahbells

or

Wild Mushroom Ravioli tossed with Asparagus, Pea Greens, Carrots, and Arugula Pistou

DESSERT — a choice of:
Crème Brulee
or
Chocolate Mousse

New Harvest Coffee Service
Pharmacy Herbs Teas

SUGGESTED LOCAL WINE PAIRINGS – BYO:
Jonathan Edwards 2008 Estate Connecticut
Westport Vineyards 2008 Rkatsiteli
Sakonnet 2008 Vidal Blanc

LOCAL FARMERS & PRODUCERS:
Allen Farms, Absalona Greenhouse, Schartner Farm, Ledge Ends Produce, Rhody Fresh, Buffoni Poultry Farm, Barden Family Orchard, Hill Orchard, AD Makepeace Cranberry Co., Shy Brothers Farm, New Harvest Coffee Roasters, Seven Stars Bakery, Narragansett Creamery, Great Hill Dairy.

For further information on The Liberty Elm Diner’s Farm-to-Diner “Earth Dinner” on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 7pm, questions about the menu, please call 401-467-0777 Tuesdays through Sundays between 8am and 3pm or email: libertyelm@gmail.com.

Founded in 1993, Chefs Collaborative is the nation’s leading network of chefs and members of the greater culinary community committed to sourcing and cooking with local, sustainable and delicious ingredients. For more information, visit the Chefs Collaborative website: www.chefscollaborative.org

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Poet RICK BENJAMIN will read selections from his recently published (Wolf Ridge Press) book PASSING LOVE. Rick will be available for book signing at this event.

Rick Benjamin’s poetry has appeared in various magazines, including Ars Poetica and Chalkboard; his text, “Mixed-up Media: Kevin Young’s Turn of the Century Triptych” appeared in 21st Century American Poetics. He is co-executive director of the Rhode Island Service Alliance and has taught poetry workshops, literature courses and his course, Poetry and the Community Service, at Brown, Haverford College and RISD.

http://rickbenjamin.org/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christopher-lydon/rick-benjamin-teacher-poe_b_408182.html

Kitchen will be closed, but beverages, including hot decaf, coffee, and tea plus The Liberty Elm’s baked goods will be available for purchase.

Featuring ROSALYNDE VAS DIAS reading her own work

http://marshhawkreview.blogspot.com/2009/11/rosalynde-vas-dias.html

Public invited to bring their own favorite poem to share as an “open session” is planned into the evening. See Tink at diner for details. Kitchen will be closed, but beverages, including hot decaf, coffee, and tea, plus Liberty Elm’s baked goods will be available for purchase.