HAMPSTEAD HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL FARM-TO-FORK FOOD INVASION

September 27, 2010

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Sept. 22, 2010 – To celebrate the rich culinary heritage of the South and the importance of fresh, local and seasonal cuisine, Hampstead is pleased to present the first annual Farm-to-Fork Food Invasion at the sustainable development. The two-day food and drink festival is set to take place Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30 at Ham and High restaurant and Hampstead Farms, the community’s three-acre, all-natural farm. Proceeds from the weekend festivities will directly benefit Montgomery’s new downtown farm to further promote education and sustainable growth in the River Region.

The Food Invasion begins Friday, October 29 at 6 p.m. with a rustic Farm-to-Fork Dinner near the signature Red Barn at Hampstead Farms. Chef Scott Crawford from Herons in North Carolina will join the talented Ham and High culinary team to offer visitors an intimate, family-style supper and wine pairing in the company of fellow friends, family and featured chefs from Saturday’s festival. Tickets to the Farm-to-Fork Dinner are limited and are being sold separately now for $75 each. 

Locals and visitors alike are invited to join a baker’s dozen of the South’s most notable chefs, farmers and breweries for the Farm-to-Fork Food Invasion Saturday, October 30 in and around Ham and High restaurant. The festivities kick off at 2 p.m. with a sampling of farm-fresh fare incorporating fall’s finest flavors, a variety of beer tastings from Alabama breweries and live music with the Birmingham-based bluegrass band, Rollin’ in the Hay.  At 5 p.m., attendees are invited to continue the celebration with an after-party at the neighboring Hampstead Farms complete with everything from a Pig Roast sponsored by Jim ‘N Nicks Bar-B-Q, to live music with the famed Farewell Drifters modern bluegrass band straight from Nashville. Tickets to Saturday’s festivities are also limited and are on sale now for $45 per person.

Notable “invaders” at the event include Montgomery’s Ham and High; Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham; Hilary White of The Hil in Serenbe; Arnold Myint of Cha Chah’s in Nashville; Rob McDaniel of Springhouse Restaurant at Lake Martin; Clif and Maureen Holt of Little Savannah in Birmingham; Scott Crawford of Herons in North Carolina; Jeremy Barlow of Tayst in Nashville; David Gadilhe, owner of Jim N’ Nicks Bar-B-Q in Montgomery; Edwin Marty of Jones Valley Urban Farm in Birmingham; Old Towne Brewing Co. of Huntsville; Back Forty Beer, Co. of Huntsville; and Good People Brewing Company of Birmingham.

For additional event details or to purchase tickets visit www.foodinvasion.com.

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About Montgomery’s New Downtown Farm:

Nestled in downtown Montgomery along the Alabama River, the new Hampstead Institute Downtown Farm will open February 2011 as a non-profit, all-natural community farm that grows, harvests and sells locally grown and fresh produce throughout Montgomery. Offering production farm areas, Children’s Learning Beds, “u-pick” orchards and a working windmill, the farm will be a vibrant and interesting gathering place fostering education for schools and community groups, sustainability, tourism and economic development for Montgomery and the River Region. For more information, visit www.hampsteadinstitute.org.

About Hampstead:

Hampstead is a traditional neighborhood development located in Montgomery, Ala. and designed by Duany Plater-Zyberk and Company, founder of the New Urbanism. Anchored by a mixed-use Town Center, the sustainable, pedestrian-oriented community is alive with parks, restaurants and cafes, a farm, community pool, market and other distinctive amenities – all within walking distance. For more information, visit www.townofhampstead.com or follow Hampstead on Facebook for special announcements and contests.