An exclusive, one-day-only event is coming to Columbia County at Rigor Hill Farm. Presented by renowned Chefs Austin Johnson and Gregory Marchand, the Ghent dinner marks the first time that the powerhouse pair are back together since running Michelin-starred Paris restaurant Frenchie. More than just a dinner, the event is a full field day that includes a farm tour, talk with the farmers, and six-course tasting menu with wine pairings.
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Rigor Hill Farm is a year-round, no-spray, no-till farm that grows a wide variety of high-quality fruits and vegetables that can be found at Hudson Valley farmers’ markets, New York City and local restaurants, Rigor Hill Market in Tribeca, and at your doorstep if you join the farm’s CSA. Since its establishment in 2020, Rigor Hill Farm has been on a mission to improve the land for food production as it increases the biodiversity on the farm’s landscape, applies experimental farming methods, and provides top-quality produce to its clientele. During the special event, anyone who is curious about exploring the farm and meeting the onsite farmers can experience a day that is centered around agriculture and expertly crafted meals.
Chef Austin Johnson has a close working relationship with the farm, being that he is the face behind Rigor Hill Market. Along with this New York City-based market, Johnson is also the chef at Tribeca’s neighborhood restaurant One White Street. Prior to his New York endeavors, Johnson was the Executive Chef at Frenchie in Rue du Nil, Paris, where he was inspired by the incredible produce to build Rigor Hill Farm with his partners.
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As for Chef Gregory Marchand, he is the founder and chef at Frenchie, which is where he and Chef Johnson met and earned a Michelin star for the restaurant. At his Paris-based eatery, Marchand notes that “the products we use are what determine the menu, which changes with the seasons. Our ceaselessly evolving cuisine is very instinctive, unstinting and authentic.” The dinner at Rigor Hill Farm is sure to evoke this same sentiment, with expertly paired wines to boot.
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The field day kicks off with transportation from Hudson or Tribeca, followed by a farm tour guided by Chef Austin Johnson upon arrival. Lawn games like pétanque and bocce are the highlights of the afternoon as guests take the time to connect with both famed chefs. For dinner, the six-course tasting menu will take place in the barn, where dishes made with the farm’s seasonal produce will wow, and wine pairings courtesy of One White Street’s in-house sommelier Suzanne DeStio will perfectly accompany the plates. Live French music, golden hour digestifs, and cigars round out the evening festivities before transportation returns guests to Hudson.
The field day at Rigor Hill Farm starts at 2 p.m. on June 22. Tickets are available here.
