Gabriella Café and Pie Ranch team up on June 7 for a mouth-wateringfarmer.jpg “Grow a Farmer” Fundraising Dinner.

You know I’m wild about the cooking of Gabriella Cafe chef Brad Briske. You know I adore all things organic, AND that includes the farmers who grow them. I’m totally behind this chance to taste Briske’s cooking at one of our top local ranches.

For more than 40 years, the Apprenticeship program at UC Santa Cruz has been turning out farmers and gardeners dedicated to market fresh organics while caring for the land. On Sunday, June 7, Gabriella Café and Pie Ranch will team up to support the program with a “Grow a Farmer” benefit dinner at Pie Ranch, located near Año Nuevo State Reserve.

“The apprenticeship program is essential to future of organic food and agriculture. It’s a pleasure and a gift to work with the many the people who have gone through the program and to use their produce in the restaurant,” says Briske, Gabriella Café’s executive chef.

The evening will feature a five-course meal prepared by Briske using organic, seasonal produce, much of it from local farms started by graduates of the Apprenticeship program. The dinner will be followed by a silent auction, music, raffle, and talks from past apprentices.

Cost of the dinner is $75 or $85 (including wine), with a limited number of volunteer tickets available. Tickets can be purchased online here.