Chef Jose Garces: Photo Source: El Gourmet Turbano Blogspot
Chef Jose Garces is a well know chef that specializes in Spanish and Latin American food. He was born in Chicago and received a culinary degree from Kendall College. He has owned and operated several successful restaurants as part of Garces Group a hospitality group in Philadelphi PA area.
Some of the restaurants he has operated are Amada a Spanish tapas and small plate venue, Baja Taquira, Garces the Old Bar: seafood, Garces Trading, and the Village Whiskey a burger and whiskey bar.
Tapas or Appetizers by Chef Garces: Photo Source: The Hungry Nomad
In 2010 Chef Garces decided to invest in starting a farm to grow his own vegetables, herbs and fruits for his restaurants. He wanted to teach children and adults about sustainable agriculture. Luna Farm is a 40-acre property located in Ottsville, PA. It grows a variety of vegetables corn, green beans, heirloom tomatoes, herbs, melons and mushrooms.
Farm Field: Photo Source: Wix Media
In the second year of the farm, they raised many different vegetable, herbs and fruits. The farm has chickens that lay eggs, bees that produce honey, and they had plans to raise goats for milk, cheese, and meat. The farm delivers food grown there to his restaurants twice a week. The often sell produce at local farmers markets.
Chef Garces learned that farming is expensive and requires planning. His farm grew crops by trial and error the first few years focusing on what did the best. The farm often has specialty dinners to educate groups about sustainable agriculture and healthy food.
At the farm they have a program for kids to tour the farm and take classes. Most of the students are inner city kids. Garces Family Foundation was created to provide health education for immigrant families that do not have healthcare. Chef Garces hired Alex Mccracken an avid gardener and business owner who installed and maintained organic gardens to run his farm when in began in 2010-2012.
The first year Alex McCracken experimented to see what crops grew the best. Later they reduced the variety and grew only what thrived. At the farm the tractors run on biodiesel fuel from the restaurant's fryer oil. It is picked up and processed by Bucks Country Freedom Fuel. They hope solar panels on the greenhouse will provide extra energy.
Chef Garces is a person that wants to see children and adults learn about agriculture and sustainable food. That is why he started several organizations to help consumers and immigrant families including Luna Farm. He even runs a food pantry for the local community. He is an example of a chef that goes well beyond the traditional role.
References:
Farmer Jose Chef Garces On Year Two at Luna Farm, by Collin Flatt, June 22, 2012
Farm & Table: Three Philadelphia Restaurants Try Their Hands At Farming by Grid Philly, October 10, 2012
Fresh from Jose Garces Bucks Country Farm by Betty Cicley, Philly Burbs, September 19, 2012
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